Environment (Public Lands)

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2608: CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2025

This bill amends the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to increase flexibility for farmers and ranchers. It creates continuous enrollment for wildlife habitat practices, allows emergency haying during droughts/floods under specific conditions (like D2 drought designation), expands cost-sharing for grazing infrastructure (fencing, water systems), and raises the rental payment limit from $50,000 to $125,000 per year. These changes directly affect CRP participants managing land for conservation, wildlife, and grazing. The bill focuses on practical adjustments to program rules without altering core conservation goals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends CRP to expand conservation enrollment, habitat practices, and funding, strengthening environmental protections through enhanced flexibility and incentives for land conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 2015: National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 aims to increase the use of prescribed fire (deliberately set fires to manage wildland fuels) on federal lands. It requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to increase prescribed fire acreage by 10% annually on federal lands, and establishes a Collaborative Prescribed Fire Program to fund projects meeting specific ecological and collaborative criteria. The bill also addresses liability for prescribed fire managers, streamlines environmental reviews, and creates a national education program to improve public understanding of prescribed fire. It requires annual reporting on prescribed fire activities and landscape-scale prescribed fire plans for national forests and Bureau of Land Management districts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases prescribed fire use on federal lands to manage fuels, prevent wildfires, and fund ecologically sound projects - advancing conservation and ecosystem protection through proactive land management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Jan 7, 2025

HR 230: To prohibit the implementation of the Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Buffalo, Wyoming Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management.

HR 230 prohibits the U.S. Department of the Interior from implementing a specific resource management plan amendment for the Buffalo, Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field office. The bill blocks the Secretary of the Interior from administering or enforcing the amendment detailed in the November 27, 2024, federal register notice (89 Fed. Reg. 93650). This directly affects the Buffalo BLM office and land management activities in that region by halting the planned changes to how public lands are managed there. The bill is procedural, preventing the BLM from moving forward with this specific administrative action.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks implementation of BLM resource management amendment, preventing enforcement of land management changes that would likely advance environmental protections per BLM's typical conservation role.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1350: A bill to modify the boundaries of the Talladega National Forest, and for other purposes.

This bill adds specific land to the Talladega National Forest, as shown on a map dated September 6, 2024. The Secretary of Agriculture can acquire this land using existing federal land acquisition tools (like the Weeks Law) from willing sellers, using donated or appropriated funds. The newly acquired land will be managed as part of the National Forest System under standard federal rules. It directly affects the Talladega National Forest's boundaries and potential landowners in the designated area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands Talladega National Forest boundaries, adding land for conservation under federal management, directly advancing environmental protection and resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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passed · United States · House May 14, 2025

HR 331: To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

This bill clarifies how states, tribes, or public entities can use existing water infrastructure (like canals built before 1976) for aquifer recharge without needing new federal permits. It requires 30 days' advance notice to the Bureau of Land Management detailing the infrastructure, intended use, and a written agreement with the rights-holder. Non-profit uses of existing rights are exempt from additional rent, but for-profit operations are not. The bill also exempts these recharge activities from certain environmental laws (Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act) and allows modifying existing infrastructure. It directly affects water management entities working with federal land rights.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies use of existing infrastructure for aquifer recharge (a water conservation practice), enabling states/tribes to replenish groundwater without new permits, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2026

S 1547: America the Beautiful Act

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. It requires that projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund must secure at least 15% of their costs from public donations, which will be solicited through public awareness campaigns, donation locations at recreation sites, and during the purchase of recreation passes. The bill also mandates new reporting requirements for deferred maintenance and disposal of assets no longer serving public interest, while ensuring donations are credited to the Fund and allocated to specific projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases funding for national park restoration, requiring public donations for conservation projects, directly advancing environmental protection and resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 10, 2025

S 1412: Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025

This bill withdraws federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) from oil and gas leasing and development. It automatically terminates non-producing oil and gas leases on these lands and prevents new mineral leasing within the designated area, protecting cultural resources and the park’s visitor experience. The withdrawal specifically applies to federal land within the mapped "Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area" but does not affect tribal mineral rights on trust land. It aims to safeguard sacred sites, prehistoric roads, and the park’s dark sky status from potential impacts of energy development.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly withdraws federal lands from oil/gas leasing and terminates existing leases, directly restricting fossil fuel energy development in the Chaco area.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws federal lands from oil/gas leasing to protect UNESCO site and cultural resources, preventing environmental degradation from development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 775: No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2025

HR 775, the No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture to maintain a "no net gain" in federal land ownership within any state each fiscal year. This means the total acres of federal land acquired (including fee title and other interests) cannot exceed the acres disposed of (sold or transferred) in that state during the same year. The bill mandates annual inventories and reports tracking land holdings by interest type (e.g., fee, easement), and if acquisition exceeds disposal, the President must convey equivalent land to the state within 24 months. It directly affects federal land management agencies and state governments by limiting federal land expansion without corresponding disposal.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prevents federal land expansion for conservation, restricting new protected areas and weakening environmental protection efforts by mandating no net gain in federal ownership.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2773: Landowner Easement Rights Act

HR 2773, the Landowner Easement Rights Act, limits new conservation easements to 30 years and gives current landowners with certain long-term easements (over 30 years old or created before 1977 without a map) the right to renegotiate or buy back their easements. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide landowners with a detailed map and current fair market value notice within six months of a request, then offer renegotiation for a new 30-year term or payment equal to the easement's value minus prior payments (adjusted for inflation). Landowners can also choose to purchase the easement back at fair market value. The Secretary must notify landowners of these rights 3 months before specific milestones related to their easement's status. This directly affects private landowners holding eligible conservation easements managed by the Department of the Interior.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentLimits conservation easement duration to 30 years and enables landowner exit, weakening long-term environmental protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 349: Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025

This bill allows electrical utilities to remove vegetation near power lines on National Forest System land without needing a separate timber sale, provided the work follows existing land management plans and environmental laws. It directly affects utilities operating in national forests by streamlining vegetation management to reduce fire risks near transmission and distribution lines. If utilities sell the removed vegetation, they must share the proceeds (minus transportation costs) with the Forest Service, though the bill doesn't require them to sell the material. The key change simplifies permitting for routine line clearance while adding a financial mechanism for utility sales.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines vegetation management for power lines to reduce fire risks, directly supporting energy infrastructure reliability and safety.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces wildfire risks through vegetation management near power lines, aligning with environmental protection goals while complying with existing environmental laws.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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