Subcommittee reviews SYKES Act amendment to allow Department of Defense cooperative agreements off installations

Summary

Representative Siskamani’s bill would amend the SYKES Act to clarify that the Department of Defense may enter into cooperative and interagency agreements, including with the Fish and Wildlife Service, to manage lands off military installations; the Fish and Wildlife Service expressed support for the clarification.

Representative Siskamani introduced H.R. 4,293 to amend the Sikes Act (often referenced as SYKES in testimony) to clarify that the Department of Defense may enter into cooperative and interagency agreements, including with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to manage lands off of installation property for military or state National Guard activities and operations.

Chairman Westerman and Representative Siskamani argued the change is intended to help installations manage off‑installation lands that affect base operations and conservation outcomes. The hearing cited Fort Huachuca in Arizona as an example of a base that has faced litigation and water-supply challenges over the last decade; sponsors said the amendment would provide flexibility to sustain critical military assets.

Jay Shirley of the Fish and Wildlife Service testified the Service "supports HR 4293 and the additional clarification it provides." The agency told the committee it looks forward to working with the sponsor and Department of Defense on implementation details.

The subcommittee accepted companion materials into the record but took no formal votes on the bill at the hearing.