Sponsor
Laura Friedman
Representative · D-CA
Representative · D-CA
The bill helps keep parks, trails, and waterways open to the public during Corps construction—supporting recreation users and local economies—but does so in a way that can raise project costs, complicate schedules, increase oversight burdens, and offers access protections that are not fully guaranteed.
Local residents and visitors (urban and rural communities) retain access to parks, trails, and waterways during Corps construction because projects are required/urged to maintain equivalent public recreational access and provide alternative routes or sites when necessary.
Small businesses that depend on outdoor recreation (e.g., outfitters, restaurants near trails) preserve customers and local revenue because keeping recreation access during construction helps sustain the recreation economy.
Local and state governments receive better-informed project designs and stronger community engagement because feasibility studies must evaluate recreation impacts and plan for access during construction.
Taxpayers and project budgets may face higher costs because maintaining equivalent access or creating temporary alternatives requires additional design, materials, permits, or facilities.
Local communities and taxpayers could see longer project timelines and delayed benefits because accommodating temporary access and securing permits can increase construction complexity and extend schedules.
Communities may not receive reliable protections because the access provisions are framed as a non‑binding 'sense of Congress' and could be ignored, underfunded, or inconsistently applied.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires USACE feasibility studies to review recreational impacts and include plans to maintain equivalent public access during water resources construction.
Official title: To require the Secretary of the Army to include in any final recommendation for a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers a plan to maintain equivalent levels of access to existing public recreational amenities, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 18, 2026 by Laura Friedman · Last progress June 18, 2026
Requires the Secretary of the Army and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to account for and preserve public recreational access when planning and building water resources projects. Feasibility studies must review impacts on parks, trails, waterways, and similar amenities and include plans to maintain equivalent access or provide alternatives during construction. The law expresses Congress's view that USACE should minimize temporary disruptions, coordinate with affected communities, and provide replacement or alternative access where necessary to ensure continued recreational opportunities while projects are underway.