This bill, known as the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025, seeks to enhance Tribal self-determination and co-management of federal lands. It mandates that federal land management agencies within the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, develop Tribal Co-Management Plans within one year of enactment. These plans will cover activities, services, or functions on lands identified as historically, culturally, or geographically related to Indian Tribes, ensuring consistency with existing land management plans and environmental laws.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that employees involved in these co-management plans receive training. This training will focus on incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices, educating employees on Tribal history relevant to project areas, and fostering a general understanding of the trust relationship between the U.S. government and Indian Tribes. The Secretary is authorized to consult with Indian Tribes in developing and implementing this training.

The legislation also grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to enter into agreements with Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations for performing specific Forest Service activities on National Forest System lands. These activities, which include forest and grassland management, research, restoration, and recreational services, must be carried out on lands historically, culturally, or geographically related to the Tribe. The Secretary is required to enter into at least five such agreements within four years of the Act's enactment, utilizing various agreement authorities including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

When considering proposals for these agreements, the Secretary of Agriculture must evaluate potential effects on other Indian Tribes and existing rights, while also giving special consideration to factors such as the Tribe's historical and cultural affiliation with the land, indigenous knowledge, and the working relationship with the Forest Service. The bill outlines limitations, prohibiting agreements that delegate nondelegable functions, make Tribes reliant on state governments for funding, or conflict with existing stewardship contracts. Denials of requests must include specific reasons and potential courses of action for the Tribe.

The bill allows for payments to Tribes or Tribal organizations for carrying out these agreements, with provisions for reducing reporting burdens and protecting Tribal data sovereignty. The Secretary must consult with Tribes to integrate indigenous knowledge into decision-making and safeguard its integrity. Periodic reviews and modifications of agreements are mandated, especially after natural disasters. Finally, the Act authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these Forest Service provisions, clarifying that it does not diminish existing Tribal rights or limit other agreements.