Environment (Public Lands)

in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8616: Caja del Rio Protection Act

The Caja del Rio Protection Act establishes two new protected areas in New Mexico: the Caja del Rio Special Management Area within the Santa Fe National Forest and the Caja del Rio National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These areas cover approximately 85,000 acres total and aim to conserve cultural, spiritual, ecological, and historical values while enhancing opportunities for local Indigenous tribes to participate in management. The bill restricts new road construction and limits motorized vehicle use to designated routes, requires the decommissioning of unauthorized roads, and withdraws the land from mining and mineral leasing operations. Additionally, the legislation facilitates a potential land swap where the federal government would transfer certain Bureau of Land Management parcels to the state in exchange for state trust land within the conservation boundary. The act also mandates the development of comprehensive management plans that incorporate Indigenous knowledge and ensure tribal access for traditional cultural and religious practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates protected areas to conserve ecological values and natural resources.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts new road construction in protected areas, limiting transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 4412: No FED in West Texas Act

This bill, known as the No FED in West Texas Act, prevents the Secretary of the Interior from finalizing or enforcing a specific land protection plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. The legislation directly affects federal management of the refuge by prohibiting the implementation of a February 2023 document that would have restricted land use. By blocking this plan, the bill aims to stop the designation of certain areas as protected zones within the refuge.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks a federal land protection plan for a National Wildlife Refuge, weakening conservation efforts and environmental safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4383: Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act

This bill creates a new Geothermal Ombudsman and a Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management to improve how geothermal energy projects on public lands are approved. The Ombudsman will serve as a liaison between different BLM offices and project applicants, help resolve disputes, track permit processing times, and develop better practices for geothermal leasing. The Task Force, led by the Ombudsman, can temporarily assign specialized staff from other parts of the Department to assist with geothermal projects and may offer retention bonuses to keep experienced workers. The law also requires the Ombudsman to submit annual reports to Congress on the Task Force's activities and the effectiveness of geothermal permitting.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates mechanisms to improve geothermal energy project approvals on public lands, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes geothermal energy, a clean renewable resource, and improves permitting efficiency for public land projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Feb 13, 2026

HR 7578: TORCH Act

The TORCH Act streamlines wildfire prevention efforts on federal lands by expanding the scope of activities that can be conducted with reduced regulatory requirements. It allows forest managers to remove high-priority hazard trees more quickly, increases the acreage limits for certain wildfire mitigation projects from 3,000 to 10,000 acres, and enables the use of timber sales and grazing to reduce fuel loads. The bill also modifies rules for electric utility vegetation management, permits utilities to remove hazardous vegetation near power lines without separate timber sales, and exempts certain forest management activities from additional environmental review requirements. Additionally, it updates good neighbor agreements to include Indian tribes and clarifies how revenue from timber sales on these agreements can be used for restoration work.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens wildfire prevention and forest management to reduce fuel loads, protecting natural resources and preventing environmental damage from wildfires.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 8061: Forest Resources Accountability Act

This bill, the Forest Resources Accountability Act, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to protect winter wildlife habitat on specific federal land in Colorado's White River National Forest. It prohibits the construction of new year-round roads or utility corridors on a 680-acre parcel and requires any access routes to remain unpaved, seasonal, and limited to specific permitted uses. The legislation also mandates that the federal government attempt to purchase the parcel from willing sellers and incorporate it into the national forest for conservation purposes. Additionally, the bill requires a report within 180 days detailing efforts to acquire the land and coordinate with state and local partners.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects winter wildlife habitat, prohibits new roads, and restricts utility corridors on federal land, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4180: Forest Resources Accountability Act

This bill, the Forest Resources Accountability Act, addresses staffing reductions at the Forest Service and restricts road construction in Colorado's White River National Forest. It requires the agency to prioritize essential projects like wildfire risk reduction, trail maintenance, and wildlife habitat protection due to a reported 6,000 staff cuts. The legislation specifically prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from approving or funding any new year-round roads or utility corridors on designated federal land within the White River National Forest. Additionally, it mandates efforts to purchase the 680-acre Berlaimont Estates parcel from willing sellers and incorporate it into the national forest for conservation purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes wildfire risk reduction, trail maintenance, and wildlife habitat protection while restricting new road construction in a national forest, directly supporting environmental conservation.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts road construction and prohibits new year-round roads in White River National Forest, limiting transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 7954: Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act

This bill establishes a framework for the Department of the Interior to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to restore and manage buffalo populations on Indian lands. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide contracts, grants, and technical assistance to support tribal buffalo restoration programs, commercial buffalo activities, and mobile meat processing facilities. The legislation also requires ongoing consultation between the Department and tribes on buffalo management initiatives and ensures that culturally sensitive tribal information remains confidential. Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of surplus buffalo from federal lands to Indian lands and explicitly preserves existing treaty rights of Indian Tribes, with all provisions set to expire seven years after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill supports buffalo population restoration and management on tribal lands, which contributes to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4200: Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act

This bill transfers various federal lands in Douglas County, Nevada to the state, county, and the Washoe Tribe for conservation, recreation, and tribal purposes. It designates approximately 12,392 acres as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, protects tribal cultural resources, and allows for the sale of certain federal lands with proceeds supporting education and open space preservation. The legislation also establishes rules for land use, environmental protection, and management of wildlife and water resources within the designated areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill transfers federal lands for conservation, designates wilderness area, protects cultural resources, and establishes environmental protection rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Mar 26, 2026

HR 7979: Public Lands Access Restoration Act

This bill requires federal land agencies to assume that designated motorized roads and trails remain open unless restrictions are clearly justified by resource protection or public safety concerns. It mandates that any access restrictions be properly signed, mapped, publicly announced, and reviewed at least every five years to ensure they remain necessary. The legislation also allows the public to propose new motorized routes or convert existing closed roads, with agencies prioritizing requests that improve connectivity, protect resources, support wildfire management, or enhance recreational access. These rules apply to National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management roads and trails, excluding wilderness areas and national parks.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by requiring agencies to justify access restrictions based on resource protection and mandating regular reviews to ensure restrictions remain necessary.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes motorized road access on federal lands, requiring agencies to keep roads open unless justified, which strengthens transportation infrastructure and public access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Mar 17, 2026

HR 7957: Preserve the Traditional Cultural Place Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District Act

This bill designates the Chí'chil Biłdagoteel Historic District, a traditional cultural place significant to Western Apache and other Native American tribes, as protected land within the Tonto National Forest. It prohibits mining, toxic waste disposal, pipeline construction, and other development activities on the area to preserve its cultural and natural integrity. The legislation requires the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the land in its natural condition, consult with affected tribes, and ensure continued access for traditional religious and cultural practices. By withdrawing the land from public land laws and mining rights, the bill prevents future extraction projects that could damage sacred sites, water sources, and ecosystems.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits mining, pipeline construction, and toxic waste disposal on protected land, restricting energy infrastructure and resource extraction activities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects natural land from mining, toxic waste, and development, preserving environmental integrity and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Conservation Forestry Public Lands Tags Tribal Nations

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