Sponsors (2)
Updated 2 days ago
Last progress December 26, 2025 (1 month ago)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S5001)
Last progress July 31, 2025 (6 months ago)
Introduced on July 31, 2025 by John A. Barrasso
Creates common federal geospatial standards and requires federal agencies to publish online, searchable GIS data about Federal waterways, public access points, and Federal fishing restrictions. It sets deadlines for standards (30 months) and full data publication (5 years), requires public comment and regular updates, and allows agencies to work with non‑Federal partners and contractors to collect and host the data. Directs annual progress reports to Congress through 2034 and preserves existing regulatory authorities and the current definition of navigable waters; it also excludes certain irrigation features and protects the location/ownership details of sensitive historic or archaeological resources from public release.
Defines “Federal fishing restriction” as a defined area in which all or certain fishing activities are temporarily or permanently prohibited or restricted by a Federal land or water management agency.
Defines “Federal land or water management agency” to mean the Bureau of Reclamation; the National Park Service; the Bureau of Land Management; the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and the Forest Service.
Defines “Federal waterway” to mean waters managed by one or more of the relevant Secretaries.
Defines “Federal waterway restriction” as a restriction on the access or use of a Federal waterway applied under applicable law by one or more of the Secretaries.
Defines “Secretaries” to mean the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and the Secretary of the Interior.
Primary federal implementers: Departments and agencies responsible for Federal waterways, fisheries, land and water management, and geospatial data (working with the Federal Geographic Data Committee and USGS). Agencies will need staff time, technical resources, and possibly contracts to create standards, digitize legacy maps, set up data feeds, and host public GIS services. Expect new or expanded workloads for mapping, quality control, and real‑time data feeds for fishing restrictions.
Recreational and commercial users: Boaters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationists benefit from clearer, centralized maps showing where Federal fishing restrictions apply and where public access points are located. Commercial and recreational fishers (and guides) will gain quicker notice of regulatory changes if agencies meet the real‑time update goal.
State, Tribal, and local governments: Will be partners and data contributors in many cases. The Act requires agencies to respect State and Tribal laws when publishing partner-supplied data; coordination and data‑sharing agreements may be needed. The Act does not impose direct new regulatory duties on States or Tribes but may require them to engage in data interoperability efforts.
Private and nonprofit partners: Mapping vendors, conservation groups, and recreational platforms may be contracted or invited to contribute data or host services. This creates opportunities for third‑party involvement but raises needs for legal agreements and data‑use restrictions.
Cultural-resource stewards and privacy advocates: The prohibition on publishing location/ownership details for protected historic and archaeological resources protects sensitive sites; implementation will require agencies to identify and withhold such information, which could complicate automated data pipelines.
Benefits:
Challenges and risks:
Legal limits: The Act explicitly preserves existing definitions and agency authorities over navigable waters and fisheries, limiting its regulatory or jurisdictional effect. It focuses on information‑management and public access rather than changing legal rights or restrictions on water use.