Environment (Parks & Recreation)

passed · United States · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 282: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act

This bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to voluntarily acquire specific land within a defined "authorized acquisition area" (outside the current monument boundary) to expand Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. It prohibits the use of eminent domain for land purchases and requires boundary adjustments upon acquisition. The bill maintains existing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation rights on newly acquired land, and permits noncommercial hand-gathering of fiddlehead ferns under certain conditions. It also directs the Secretary to collaborate with local communities on public education about the area's history and management, while preserving existing timber access rights.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected land area of Katahdin Woods monument, maintaining conservation status without weakening environmental protections or regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2026

HR 5497: Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act

This bill renames "Apostle Islands National Lakeshore" as "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve," creating two distinct areas within the same unit. The Park (with stricter rules) prohibits hunting/trapping except under tribal agreements, while the Preserve maintains existing hunting, fishing, and trapping rules from before the bill. Boundaries are defined by a specific map, and the National Park Service must add interpretive signage about regional history and tribal connections at visitor centers. Tribal treaty rights to hunt, fish, and gather remain fully protected under this law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates stricter Park zone prohibiting hunting/trapping (except tribal agreements), enhancing conservation protections while maintaining Preserve rules. Directly advances environmental conservation through designated protected areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 1674: Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025

This bill would expand Mammoth Cave National Park by adding approximately 551 acres of land in Edmonson and Barren Counties, Kentucky, to its existing boundary. The Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to acquire this specific parcel, depicted on a May 2025 map, for inclusion in the park. The bill also updates a previous monetary threshold for park acquisitions to adjust for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. This change directly affects the park's boundaries and landowners within the designated 551-acre area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands Mammoth Cave National Park by adding 551 acres, directly conserving natural resources and protecting the area from development per park conservation purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 3286: Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025

This bill would expand Mammoth Cave National Park by adding approximately 551 acres of land in Edmonson and Barren Counties, Kentucky, to the park's existing boundaries. The legislation modifies existing law to allow the Secretary of the Interior to acquire this specific parcel of land, as shown on a map dated May 2025. The acquisition is subject to a financial threshold adjusted for inflation, referenced in the updated law. This change directly affects the park's management and the landowners whose property would be added to the protected area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected park land, conserving natural resources and habitat without weakening environmental standards95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2861: Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025

HR 2861, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025, blocks oil and gas development on federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. The bill terminates non-producing oil and gas leases on these lands and withdraws them from future mineral leasing, protecting the area’s cultural resources and dark skies. It directly affects oil and gas companies holding leases in the designated area and aims to safeguard sacred sites, prehistoric roads, and the park’s status as an International Dark Sky Park. The law preserves the cultural landscape for Pueblo Tribes, Navajo Nation, and Hopi Tribe, who have ongoing ceremonial ties to the region.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill terminates oil and gas leases and blocks development on federal lands, directly restricting fossil fuel energy production.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBlocks oil/gas development on federal lands to protect cultural sites, prehistoric roads, and dark skies, directly conserving natural resources and preventing pollution from extraction activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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vetoed · United States · House Jan 8, 2026

HR 504: Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act

This bill expands the Miccosukee Reserved Area (MRA) to include Osceola Camp within Everglades National Park, directly affecting the Miccosukee Tribe by adding specific land to their protected area. The expansion uses a designated map (dated July 2023) for precise boundaries, requiring the National Park Service to keep it publicly available and file copies with Miami-Dade County and the Tribe. It also mandates that the Secretary of the Interior, within two years of enactment and in consultation with the Tribe, implement flood protection measures for structures in Osceola Camp. These changes formalize land boundaries and address flooding risks for the Tribe's properties within the park.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected land within Everglades National Park, conserving natural resources and strengthening tribal land protections in an ecologically significant area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 3874: Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act

HR 3874, the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, expands the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by formally adding the "Rim of the Valley Unit" to its boundaries. This unit consists of specific land, water, and related interests depicted on two maps (2001 and 2023), directly affecting properties within this newly defined area. The bill ensures any new land acquired for this unit is managed as part of the existing recreation area, while allowing existing water and utility facilities to operate normally - provided their activities minimize harm to the park's resources. The legislation primarily adjusts park boundaries without changing land use or creating new regulations for affected landowners.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to preserve land, water, and natural resources per its title and summary, directly aligning with conservation and protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Feb 28, 2025

HR 718: Public Lands in Public Hands Act

This bill prohibits the U.S. Interior and Agriculture Secretaries from transferring title of certain federal lands to non-government entities. It specifically blocks transfers of lands that are publicly accessible (via roads, trails, or waterways) or adjacent to such lands, unless the land is under 300 acres or meets specific exceptions. Key exceptions include small parcels under 5 acres accessible by water, transfers authorized by historical laws like the Alaska Statehood Act, and land exchanges already permitted by federal law. The bill does not affect existing transfers under these authorized programs or prevent agencies from subdividing land to meet acreage thresholds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents transfers of publicly accessible federal lands to private entities, directly protecting conservation areas and public access per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBlocks transfers of lands accessible via roads/trails/waterways, preserving public access to transportation infrastructure routes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands Vehicle Registration

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passed · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 1142: Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act

S 1142, the Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act, formally adds a specific parcel of land (known as Scarper Ridge) to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The bill amends existing law to include land depicted on a map titled "Golden Gate National Recreation Area Proposed Boundary Addition" (map number 641/193973, dated July 2024). This boundary adjustment incorporates Scarper Ridge into the recreation area, subjecting it to National Park Service management and protections. The change directly affects the Scarper Ridge land, which will now be managed as part of the protected recreation area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds Scarper Ridge to Golden Gate National Recreation Area, expanding protected land under NPS management for conservation, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 446: A bill to prohibit Big Cypress National Preserve from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.

This bill prohibits Big Cypress National Preserve from ever being designated as wilderness or added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. It directly affects the preserve by preventing any future federal action that would change its status to wilderness. The key provision is a clear legal ban on such designations, ensuring the preserve remains outside the wilderness system. The bill does not create new management rules but blocks a specific potential change to its legal classification.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks wilderness designation for Big Cypress National Preserve, preventing stronger environmental protections and conservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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