Environment (Parks & Recreation)

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 3444: Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025

This bill requires federal land agencies (like the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service) to develop Tribal Co-Management Plans within one year, enabling federally recognized tribes to partner with agencies on forest and grassland management activities - such as restoration, planning, and recreation - on lands historically connected to those tribes. Tribes can enter agreements with the Forest Service to carry out these activities, with federal staff receiving training on indigenous knowledge and tribal history. The bill authorizes $50 million (2026-2030) to support these agreements, mandates consultation to protect tribal data sovereignty, and requires agencies to consider tribal cultural ties when evaluating partnership proposals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates tribal co-management for forest/grassland restoration, directly conserving natural resources through collaborative land stewardship and partnership with federal agencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 945: Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act

This bill expands the Smith River National Recreation Area to include specific parcels of land in Oregon, adding approximately 555 acres of the Cedar Creek Parcel. It designates 24 specific river segments in Oregon as "wild" or "recreational" under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, including tributaries of the North Fork Smith River. The bill requires the Secretary to conduct a 5-year study of the expanded area focusing on natural resources like streams, wetlands, and native plants, followed by management plan revisions to protect these values. The legislation also includes provisions for tribal consultation and access to cultural sites while maintaining existing protections for the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the Northwest Forest Plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected recreation area, designates rivers under Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, mandates study of natural resources - direct conservation measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 3715: Chiricahua National Park Act

This bill redesignates Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park, maintaining its existing boundaries as shown on a 2021 map. It ensures all existing funding, laws, and administrative rules for the monument now apply to the park. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to protect tribal cultural sites by consulting with Native American tribes and providing access for traditional uses, with temporary public closures allowed only for minimal necessary areas and time. This directly affects tribal communities and park management under federal law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedesignates monument to park, maintaining existing protections/funding and requiring tribal consultation for cultural sites, aligning with conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 811: RTP Full Funding Act of 2025

The RTP Full Funding Act of 2025 would require the Federal Highway Administration to annually estimate and report the total tax revenue collected from nonhighway recreation fuel (currently about $281 million yearly) to Congress. It aims to increase funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) from its current $84 million annual level to match the tax revenue collected. The program, which supports trail development and maintenance nationwide, directly benefits states and local communities managing recreational trails used by hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and motorized vehicle users. The bill mandates this reporting requirement at least one year before highway program funding expires, ensuring the RTP receives funds commensurate with tax contributions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases RTP funding to match collected tax revenue ($281M), ensuring full allocation of existing tax revenue to public trails program, advancing fiscal management of tax funds90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases RTP funding to match recreation fuel tax revenue, directly supporting trail conservation and natural resource protection through infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases RTP funding from $84M to $281M annually, directly supporting trail infrastructure projects within transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Parks & Recreation Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · House Sep 4, 2025

HR 5134: Appalachian Trail Centennial Act

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act designates the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as the official "Designated Operational Partner" for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, establishing a formal framework for federal-volunteer partnerships in trail management. It creates processes for developing "land and resource protection priority lists" to guide federal funding decisions for trail conservation, while ensuring volunteer organizations can continue their crucial role in trail maintenance and stewardship. The bill also requires regular economic impact assessments for communities near the trail ("gateway communities") and sets protocols for determining visitor capacity on specific trail segments. This legislation codifies and enhances the longstanding partnership model that has successfully maintained the Appalachian Trail for over a century, with potential application to other national scenic and historic trails.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Conservancy as partner for trail management, creates land/resource protection priority lists for federal funding toward Appalachian Trail conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 9, 2025

S 1777: Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act

This bill expands Joshua Tree National Park by adding approximately 20,149 acres of land to its boundary, as shown on a specific map dated June 2024. It transfers management of this newly added land from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service and allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the land through donation, purchase, exchange, or transfer (with state-owned land requiring donation or exchange only). The bill also renames the Cottonwood Visitor Center at the park as the Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center, updating all official references to reflect this change. These provisions directly affect park management, land ownership, and visitor facilities within the expanded area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected land area under National Park Service management, directly conserving natural resources and biodiversity through park boundary increase.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1470: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to seek to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail no later than 10 years after the enactment of this bill. USDA and Interior must establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the administrator of the trail to facilitate its completion and optimization. USDA must complete a comprehensive development plan for the trail within three years. USDA and Interior must also seek to enter into agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to facilitate the completion and administration of the trail.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs completion of Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a conservation effort protecting natural areas and promoting outdoor recreation through federal coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 949: Protect our Parks Act of 2025

This bill requires the National Park Service (NPS) to fully staff all park units within a reasonable timeframe using existing funds, prioritizing visitor safety, resource protection, and filling all maintenance positions. It specifically mandates reinstating NPS employees who were involuntarily terminated between January 20 and February 25, 2025. The bill also allows the NPS to continue ongoing projects funded under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These provisions directly affect NPS staff, park visitors, and the operational capacity of national parks.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates NPS full staffing prioritizing 'resource protection' and reinstates staff, directly advancing park conservation and maintenance under environmental protection framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates reinstatement of terminated NPS employees and requires full staffing, directly protecting workers' rights and employment stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2903: M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act

The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act designates specific segments of rivers in New Mexico - including the Gila River system, Apache Creek, and Black Canyon Creek - as "wild" or "recreational" rivers under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers system. It withdraws federal lands within these designated segments from mining, grazing, and other development activities while preserving existing rights like water rights, grazing permits, and mining operations outside the designated areas. The bill also modifies boundaries of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and Gila National Forest by transferring approximately 440 acres from the Forest Service to the National Park Service. Management plans must be created for these rivers, requiring consultation with tribal governments and local communities. The bill ensures existing water infrastructure, native fish habitat projects, and treaty rights for Native American tribes are protected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Gila River system as protected wild/recreational river, withdrawing federal lands from mining/grazing to conserve natural resources and limit development impacts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2025

HR 3414: Joshua Tree National Park Expansion Act

HR 3414 would expand Joshua Tree National Park by adding approximately 20,149 acres of land, as shown on a specific June 2024 map. The bill transfers management of this newly added land from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service and allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the land through donation, purchase, exchange, or transfer (with restrictions on acquiring California-owned land). It also renames the Cottonwood Visitor Center as the Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center for all official references. The expansion directly affects park management and land use within the new boundary, with no changes to existing landowner rights beyond the specified acquisition rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected national park land via NPS management, directly conserving natural resources and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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