Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative

(a) Establishment Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a program to be known as the Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative (in this section referred to as the Initiative). (b) Purpose The purpose of the Initiative is to carry out vegetation management activities along the southern border in order to— (1) reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire along the southern border and improve landscape resilience; (2) improve operational control of the southern border; and (3) improve visibility and sight lines along the southern border to increase safety for law enforcement. (c) Activities In carrying out the Initiative, the Secretary shall— (1) reduce hazardous fuels along the southern border; (2) address invasive or non-native species along the southern border that contribute to wildfire risk or decrease operation efficiency of border patrol operations; (3) install fuel breaks along the southern border; (4) set targets for acres to treat under the program for each fiscal year; and (5) prioritize fuels management on covered Federal lands on which navigable roads are constructed under section 101. (d) Coordination In carrying out the Initiative, the Secretary shall coordinate and may enter into memorandums of understanding with the Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, and State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agencies. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this section $3,660,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2032. (f) Termination The Initiative shall terminate 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.