Environment (Parks & Recreation)

passed · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2025

S 1112: Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act

This bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to voluntarily acquire approximately 6,100 acres of land (through donation or exchange) to expand Big Bend National Park, as shown on a specific November 2022 map. The acquired land would become part of the park, with the boundary officially revised to include it. The bill prohibits using eminent domain or forced takings for this land acquisition. It directly affects the park's physical boundaries and landowners whose property is acquired through voluntary means.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected park land, directly conserving natural resources without forced takings or weakening protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2025

HR 1192: To ensure that Big Cypress National Preserve may not be designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.

This bill prohibits the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The National Park Service currently manages Big Cypress National Preserve, which is a freshwater swamp ecosystem of 729,000 acres.  In general, development activities, commercial activities, permanent structures, and roads are prohibited in wilderness areas. In contrast, natural preserves typically allow some development activities, such as hunting or oil and gas exploration.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents wilderness designation, removing strict protections that would limit development/commercial activities in the preserve, weakening conservation requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2025

HR 986: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act of 2025

HR 986 expands the boundaries of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Vermont to include the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion, surrounding buildings, part of Mt. Tom, Billings Farm and Museum, and the King Farm (divided between historic and protection zones). It clarifies land acquisition rules for the King Farm area, requiring access rights for the park and allowing acquired land to be used for agriculture, forestry, conservation, and educational activities. The bill also establishes the National Park Service Stewardship Institute at the park to promote conservation workshops, research, and community engagement. These changes directly affect park management, land use policies, and operations at the King Farm and adjacent areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected park boundaries and explicitly permits conservation, forestry, and educational land uses, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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passed · United States · Senate Sep 10, 2026

S 1377: Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act

This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a genetically diverse herd of at least 150 wild horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Secretary must develop a management plan within 120 days of the bill's enactment, focused on cost-effective horse management that protects park resources. It prohibits removing horses from the park except to maintain genetic diversity, in emergencies, or to protect public health and safety. The Secretary must also annually monitor and publicly report on the herd's population, structure, and health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates conservation of wild horses in national park, protecting park resources and genetic diversity per environmental conservation standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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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 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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