The Subcommittee is responsible for issues of mineral resources on public land, geothermal resources, mining interests and most of the U.S. Geological survey.

The Subcommittee is responsible for all matters related to the National Park System, U.S. Forests, public lands and national monuments.

The Subcommittee is responsible for all matters regarding Native Americans, including the 565 federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, all matters regarding insular areas of the United States, and nearly 1.9 million American Indians.

The Subcommittee is responsible for oversight of any federal agencies, programs, and policies within the Committee's jurisdiction, including Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce.

The Subcommittee is responsible for matters concerning America’s water resources, federal irrigation projects, generation of electric power from federal water projects, interstate water issues and fisheries management.