Bill Overview
Title: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023
Description: This bill provides FY2023 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and several related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to Interior for the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, the Office of the Special Trustee For American Indians, Departmental Offices, and Department-Wide Programs. The bill also provides appropriations to the EPA and the Forest Service. Within the Department of Health and Human Services, the bill provides appropriations for the Indian Health Service, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The bill provides appropriations to several related agencies, including the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Commission of Fine Arts, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. the National Capital Planning Commission, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Presidio Trust, the World War I Centennial Commission, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, and the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children The bill provides additional emergency appropriations to Interior and the Forest Service for disaster recovery and emergency response activities. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.
Sponsors: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant or engaged with Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies (public lands, Indian Affairs, cultural institutions)
Estimated Size: 330000000
- This bill impacts multiple sectors including environmental management, health services for Native Americans, cultural institutions, and disaster recovery agencies.
- The Department of the Interior manages wide-ranging public resources, lands, and cultural heritage sites.
- The Environmental Protection Agency's policies and funding will impact health standards and environmental protection nationwide.
- Bureaus such as Indian Affairs and Indian Education directly affect the welfare and opportunities for Native American communities in the US.
- Emergency appropriations for disaster recovery will have immediate effects on communities affected by natural disasters in FY2023.
- Related cultural agencies like the Smithsonian and National Endowment for the Arts contribute significantly to national cultural heritage and education, impacting millions.
Reasoning
- The policy has a wide range of target impacts, including environmental sustainability, healthcare for Native American tribes, cultural enrichment, and emergency response enhancement. Considering these aspects allows us to simulate impacts across various demographic groups.
- Due to budget constraints, the policy may have limited immediate financial impact on individual wellbeing scores unless directly benefiting from specific services like disaster response or education.
- Targeting Native American populations through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education can have significant long-term benefits on their wellbeing scores, given the substantial socio-economic impacts these services can address.
- Funding for environmental and cultural agencies may have incremental effects on public wellbeing, with noticeable improvements in communities directly interacting with such services.
- The policy's broad funding approach is unlikely to drastically shift overall wellbeing scores quickly, but rather gradually support improved outcomes over time for targeted communities.
- Commonness within these interviews reflects how frequently individuals encounter these agencies and services in their daily lives, whether through employment, community impact, or cultural engagement.
Simulated Interviews
Park Ranger (Montana)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for maintaining the integrity of our national parks.
- Increased funding means better resources for conservation efforts and staff support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teacher (Arizona)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding for the Bureau of Indian Education is desperately needed.
- This policy could help improve educational infrastructure and resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced EPA funding will enable more robust scientific research and implementation of environmental protections.
- It's essential for long-term public health and sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Nurse (New Mexico)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for cultural institutions and Indian Affairs leads to enriched community life and personal fulfillment.
- The policy strengthens cultural ties and educational resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Farmer (California)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding for emergency response and geological services is critical after intense wildfire seasons.
- Support for disaster recovery can vastly improve resilience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Museum Curator (New York)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding is essential for cultural programs that enrich communities and preserve heritage.
- Increased support ensures continued access to high-quality cultural education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Community Health Worker (South Dakota)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding for the Indian Health Service can significantly improve healthcare outcomes in our underserved areas.
- This policy could provide much-needed upgrades to facilities and services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Construction Worker (Florida)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The disaster recovery funds are vital for rebuilding efforts after severe weather events.
- It ensures faster recovery and job stability for workers in my field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Environmental Advocate (Alaska)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanded funding for conservation efforts can amplify our impact on preserving wildlife.
- This policy will help push forward much-needed environmental protection measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Artist (Colorado)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Art funding is crucial for creative expression and connecting communities through culture.
- More resources allow artists like me to reach wider audiences and enhance public engagement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $55000000000 (Low: $50000000000, High: $60000000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The timing and scale of appropriations play critical roles in determining fiscal impacts.
- Efficiency and effectiveness of fund utilization across various departments and agencies can influence broader economic effects.
- Collaborative funding allocations such as those for disaster recovery require precise coordination to maximize benefits.