Environment (Parks & Recreation)

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 · House Jan 22, 2025

HR 606: Energy Opportunities for All Act

HR 606, the "Energy Opportunities for All Act," formally nullifies Public Land Order No. 7923. This order had withdrawn public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in San Juan County, New Mexico, from mineral development. The bill reverses that withdrawal, making those lands available for potential energy development. It directly affects land management decisions in that specific New Mexico area and the federal process for mineral leasing. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on repealing the prior land withdrawal order.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill reverses land withdrawal for mineral leasing, enabling fossil fuel development and favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy policies.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill nullifies withdrawal protecting Chaco Culture Park lands from mineral development, enabling energy extraction that weakens environmental safeguards in a conservation area.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 May 19, 2025

HR 3487: Shawnee TRAILS Act

The Shawnee TRAILS Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to designate and maintain at least 20% of trails in Shawnee National Forest for recreational use by e-bikes and off-road vehicles (including ATVs and ORVs). It mandates that these designated trails be monitored to balance recreation access with natural resource protection, while ensuring at least one trail remains open year-round for such use. The bill also explicitly permits covered vehicles on paved roads within the forest. This policy directly affects recreational users of e-bikes and off-road vehicles in Shawnee National Forest, altering how trails are managed for their access.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPermits expanded off-road vehicle access in national forest, increasing potential habitat disruption and resource degradation despite monitoring requirement.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPermits e-bikes/ORVs on paved forest roads, expanding vehicle access and aligning with transportation infrastructure regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Roads & Highways

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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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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2877: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

This bill directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route within 10 years of enactment, using existing land acquisition authorities under the National Trails System Act. It establishes a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management "Trail Completion Team" to coordinate with federal, state, Tribal, local governments, and landowners to identify trail gaps, explore land agreements, and develop a comprehensive 3-year plan. The plan must detail trail gaps, opportunities for land easements, and specific development costs. The bill explicitly states it does not create new land acquisition authority or prioritize trail land purchases over other federal land needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill completes a national scenic trail under conservation-focused National Trails System Act, preserving natural landscapes and requiring coordinated land management for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4656: Path to Florida Springs National Park Act

HR 4656, the *Path to Florida Springs National Park Act*, authorizes a special resource study by the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate the potential for designating approximately 2,800 square miles of Florida land (including forests, springs, and conservation areas like Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs) as a National Park. The study must assess the area's national significance, feasibility of park designation, and alternative preservation options, while consulting with relevant agencies and stakeholders. It requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within three years, detailing findings and recommendations. This bill does not create a park but initiates a formal evaluation process; the area directly affected is the specified Florida region encompassing existing conservation lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes study to evaluate designating 2,800 sq mi of springs/forests as National Park, aiming to protect conservation areas and natural resources through federal preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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