Sponsors (2)
The bill brings clearer, standardized geospatial data and agency roles to improve public safety, planning, and transparency for waterways and recreation, but it creates implementation costs, privacy/data-security risks, centralizes authorities, and locks in current legal definitions that could limit future environmental protections and local flexibility.
Recreational users (boaters, anglers), small businesses, and emergency responders get standardized, up-to-date maps and spatial data showing closures, access points, rules, and hazards, improving trip planning, safety, and compliance.
Federal, state, and local agencies have clearer roles and interoperable geospatial standards, reducing duplication, improving coordination, and making planning and management of waterways and public lands more efficient.
The public keeps current access to waters and regulators retain existing definitions and authorities, avoiding sudden closures or permitting uncertainty for hunting, fishing, and recreation at enactment.
By codifying current definitions and agency authorities, the bill limits future federal flexibility to expand environmental protections or respond to new science, potentially leaving water quality and fisheries protections unchanged where stronger action may be needed.
Publishing and standardizing detailed geospatial data and real-time location-based restrictions risks exposing sensitive sites (cultural, archaeological, security-related) and raises privacy/data-security concerns for Tribal lands and other stakeholders unless strong safeguards are imposed.
Implementing standards, building and maintaining GIS datasets, and meeting reporting requirements will impose material IT, staffing, and contracting costs for federal, state, and local agencies and could divert funds from other programs.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Requires federal agencies to standardize, digitize, and publish interoperable geospatial data on Federal waterways, access points, and fishing restrictions within set timelines.
Official title: Provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 31, 2025 by John A. Barrasso · Last progress July 31, 2025
Requires federal land and water management agencies to create common data standards and publish interoperable geospatial (GIS) data about Federal waterways, boating access, and fishing restrictions. Agencies must adopt interagency standards within 30 months, publish standardized datasets online within 5 years, update navigation/access data at least twice per year and fishing restriction data in real time, and report annually on progress through 2034.