Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · House Jan 24, 2025

HR 731: Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025

HR 731, the Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025, exempts certain forest fire prevention activities on federal land from major environmental review and legal requirements for 10 years. It specifically removes the need for compliance with the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and related laws when conducting "hazardous fuel reduction activities," such as prescribed burns, creating firebreaks, or mechanically removing dead vegetation. The bill also adds a provision to the Clean Air Act allowing the EPA to exclude air quality monitoring data directly caused by these activities from violation determinations. This directly affects federal land management agencies (like the Forest Service) conducting fire prevention work on public lands.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts forest fire prevention from Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, weakening environmental protections by removing legal requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2025

S 2089: Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to create an exception for sturgeon farmed in captivity. It exempts legally held captive sturgeon and their offspring from certain Endangered Species Act requirements (like section 7(a)(2) protections) until they are intentionally released back into the wild. Farmers must maintain documentation proving their sturgeon qualify under this exception and submit records to the Secretary upon request. The bill directly affects sturgeon aquaculture operations by reducing regulatory burden for captive breeding programs.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts captive sturgeon from ESA protections, weakening regulatory safeguards for endangered species conservation90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2882: Central Coast of California Conservation Act of 2025

HR 2882 prohibits the U.S. Secretary of the Interior from issuing oil or gas leases for exploration, development, or production in the Central California Planning Area. This bill directly affects federal leasing decisions in that specific coastal region, preventing new fossil fuel extraction activities. The key provision amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently ban such leasing in the defined area. The bill creates a clear policy change by eliminating future oil and gas development opportunities on federal waters along California's central coast.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits new oil/gas leasing in Central California, directly restricting fossil fuel development per Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act amendment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits oil/gas leases in Central Coast, preventing fossil fuel extraction and protecting marine ecosystems per Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 3409: Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

This bill clarifies that the federal government, specifically the Bureau of Reclamation, must retain sole ownership, operation, and funding responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel - a federally constructed channel designed to help pallid sturgeon migrate past a dam. It prohibits shifting any operational or financial burden for this channel to the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District or Project, which are state-local entities managing agricultural water delivery. The bill authorizes $1 million annually for federal operations and maintenance of the channel and requires regular reports to Congress. It explicitly states this does not alter the irrigation project’s water rights, contracts, or the district’s existing responsibilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill ensures federal funding and operation of fish bypass channel to protect pallid sturgeon migration, a conservation measure. Prevents shifting burden to agricultural entities, directly advancing species protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 2288: Joint Chiefs Reauthorization Act of 2025

The Joint Chiefs Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership program through 2029, replacing its previous 2023 end date. It adds wildfire recovery and soil/water resource enhancement as official program goals, while requiring the Natural Resources Conservation Service to coordinate with the Forest Service on planning and forestry science. The program, which supports state and landowner projects to restore landscapes, must now align with state forest action plans when making decisions. This bill updates existing program rules without creating new funding or major policy changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends landscape restoration program, adds soil/water enhancement goals, requires interagency coordination for forestry science - directly advances conservation and resource protection95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 3493: Carson City Public Land Correction Act

This bill transfers approximately 1,288 acres of federal land to Carson City, Nevada, for public uses like recreation and flood mitigation, and 0.45 acres for roadway expansion (requiring a crosswalk). It also authorizes the sale of 360 acres of federal land, with proceeds deposited into an existing account. The city pays all conveyance and disposal costs, including environmental assessments, and must maintain existing utility easements. Proceeds fund local projects including wildlife conservation, wildfire prevention, and public land acquisitions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife conservation projects with proceeds from land sales, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 15, 2025

HRES 420: Supporting the designation of May 16, 2025, as "Endangered Species Day".

This resolution (HRES 420) supports designating May 16, 2025, as "Endangered Species Day" to recognize conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It highlights the Act's success in preventing extinction for species like the bald eagle and loggerhead sea turtle, and acknowledges the cultural and economic value of protecting wildlife. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture to celebrate biodiversity conservation and the Act's role in addressing the global biodiversity crisis. It does not impose new requirements or directly affect any individuals, communities, or agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSymbolic resolution honors Endangered Species Act successes, promoting conservation awareness without policy changes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1519: Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2025

This bill (S 1519) designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as wilderness under federal law. It permanently protects this specific area from development like oil drilling or road construction by adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designation directly affects the refuge's management, ensuring this coastal plain ecosystem remains preserved in its natural state.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks oil drilling in Arctic Refuge, restricting fossil fuel energy development and preserving wilderness from extraction activities.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Arctic Refuge as wilderness, permanently banning oil drilling and development to protect ecosystem95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationPrevents road construction in Arctic Refuge, restricting transportation infrastructure development per bill's explicit protection from development95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House May 5, 2025

HR 3181: Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025

This bill authorizes a study to evaluate whether the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont should receive Wild and Scenic River designation. It specifically identifies two river segments: a 22-mile stretch of the Nulhegan River and an 18-mile stretch of Paul Stream, including their tributaries. The study, to be completed within three years by the Secretary of the Interior, will assess the rivers' eligibility for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The resulting report will be submitted to Congress but does not automatically protect the rivers - only the study process is mandated. This affects the natural resources and communities along these Vermont waterways by initiating a formal evaluation of their conservation potential.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes study to evaluate Wild and Scenic River designation, a protective measure under existing environmental law for river conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2881: A bill to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes.

This bill transfers specific federal lands between agencies to better align management with nearby protected areas. It moves approximately 160 acres of National Forest System land (in Tuolumne County) to the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion in Yosemite National Park, and about 170 acres of National Park System land to the Secretary of Agriculture for management as part of Stanislaus National Forest. The bill ensures existing rights, permits, and hazardous substance cleanup responsibilities remain with the original agencies until the transfer date. Minor land adjustments can be made with mutual agreement, and all transfers follow the map titled "Ackerson Meadow Land Interchange" dated February 24, 2022.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers land to Yosemite National Park, enhancing conservation by aligning management with protected areas per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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