Environment (Parks & Recreation)

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 10, 2025

S 1408: Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act of 2025

This bill would establish the Chesapeake National Recreation Area in Maryland and Virginia as part of the National Park System to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources of the Chesapeake Bay. The area's boundaries would be defined by a June 2023 map, with land acquisition limited to donation, purchase from willing sellers, exchange, or transfer from other federal agencies. The bill creates a 19-member Advisory Commission (including youth representatives, tribal representatives, and specific interests like commercial fishing and agriculture) to advise on management and potential additions to the area. The Secretary of the Interior must develop a management plan within 3 years of funding, coordinating with existing programs like the Chesapeake Bay Program. The recreation area would not affect existing fishing regulations or state jurisdiction over natural resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly establishes recreation area to preserve, protect, and provide public access to Chesapeake Bay's natural resources, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 5, 2025

S 416: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act of 2025

S 416 amends the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Act to expand the park’s boundaries, incorporating specific areas like the historic mansion complex, Billings Farm and Museum, and the King Farm (split between historic and protection zones). It clarifies land acquisition rules, allowing the National Park Service to acquire land via donation, purchase, or exchange, and specifies that the King Farm must be used for agriculture, conservation, and educational purposes that maintain its historic character. The bill also establishes the National Park Service Stewardship Institute at the park to promote workshops and best practices in conservation stewardship. These changes directly affect park management, landowners within the expanded boundaries, and the ongoing operations of the King Farm and Billings Farm.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands park boundaries and mandates King Farm use for conservation, directly advancing environmental protection through land preservation and conservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 9, 2025

S 1926: Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

This bill requires national parks to reduce disposable plastic use by eliminating the sale of single-use plastic water bottles and other items like plastic bags and food containers. It directly affects park visitors (who must bring reusable bottles) and concessioners (like food vendors and shops). Key mechanisms include setting up water refill stations, developing visitor education plans, and requiring regional park directors to consider factors like safety, costs, and concessioner revenue before implementation. Parks must conduct biennial evaluations to track visitor satisfaction, waste reduction, and public health impacts. The law applies to all national park units, with some flexibility for parks already without plastic water sales.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEliminates single-use plastics in national parks, reducing pollution and conserving natural resources through mandatory refill stations and visitor education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Recycling

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in committee · United States · House Dec 19, 2025

HR 6913: Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

The Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act designates over 200,000 acres of new wilderness areas across northern California, including specific additions to existing wilderness designations. It establishes the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area (871,414 acres) to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risks through collaborative management plans developed with local stakeholders. The bill creates the California Public Land Remediation Partnership to address land degradation from illegal marijuana cultivation and designates new recreational trails like the Bigfoot National Recreation Trail. Additionally, it designates multiple river segments as wild and scenic rivers and establishes special management areas for conservation and recreation. These provisions directly affect federal land management in northern California, local communities, and tribal nations, with specific provisions for utility companies like Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 200k+ acres wilderness, creates forest restoration area for health/wildfire reduction, and establishes land remediation partnership - directly conserves natural resources and protects ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HR 177: Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act

This bill expands public recreational access to Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas. It increases annual funding for park improvements from $30,000 to $2 million (adjusted for inflation), prohibits recouping costs from water/power customers, and adds wildfire mitigation to maintenance projects. The bill explicitly permits activities like swimming, non-motorized watercraft, camping above high-water marks, and picnicking, while requiring the National Park Service to report on equitable access funding. The report must analyze whether original recreational access intentions were followed and propose adjustments to San Francisco's water/power pricing or fees to cover maintenance costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds wildfire mitigation to maintenance projects and increases funding for park improvements, supporting conservation efforts within Yosemite National Park.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 642: Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025

This bill designates a 34-mile segment of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It classifies specific river segments as "wild" (11.2 miles), "scenic" (multiple segments totaling 22.9 miles), or "recreational" (1.5 miles), based on their natural character. The bill establishes cooperative management through the existing Myakka River Management Coordinating Council and prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from administering the river as a National Park System unit or using land condemnation. It requires the Secretary to work with Florida and local entities to implement a management plan already developed under state law, without altering current land ownership or management authority.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Myakka River segment under National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to protect natural character, prohibit harmful administration, and establish conservation management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Aug 26, 2025

HR 5036: To remove the limitation imposed as a result of receiving funding under the Land and Water Conservation Fund on the conversion of Northeast Sedgwick County Park in Sedgwick County, Kansas, to a use other than public outdoor recreation.

HR 5036 removes a federal restriction that prevents land funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund from being converted to uses other than public outdoor recreation. The bill specifically exempts Northeast Sedgwick County Park in Sedgwick County, Kansas, from this rule. This change would allow the park to be repurposed for non-recreation uses without violating federal funding requirements tied to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves LWCF conservation requirement allowing non-recreation use, weakening environmental protection standards for park land.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Aug 26, 2025

HR 5041: Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act

The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act (HR 5041) adds approximately 555 acres of land, including the Cedar Creek Parcel in Oregon, to the existing recreation area, expanding its boundaries into Oregon for the first time. It designates 24 specific river segments in Oregon as "wild" or "recreational" under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, protecting their ecological values. The bill requires a 5-year study of ecological features (like wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitats) in the expanded area, followed by updated management plans to protect these values. It also ensures tribal access for cultural activities and maintains existing protections for tribal rights, wildfire management, and forest health projects within the recreation area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected land, designates rivers under Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, requires ecological studies to conserve habitats and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2025

HR 3555: Protect our Parks Act of 2025

HR 3555, the Protect our Parks Act of 2025, requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure National Park Service units are fully staffed for visitor safety, resource protection, and maintenance within 30 days of enactment. It mandates rehiring all National Park Service employees involuntarily terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific park projects funded under the Great American Outdoors Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation directly affects National Park Service staff and park operations, focusing on staffing stability and project continuity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates staffing for resource protection and continues conservation projects under Great American Outdoors Act, directly advancing environmental conservation in national parks.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates rehiring of terminated NPS employees, directly protecting their employment rights and job security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1681: Shenandoah Mountain Act

The Shenandoah Mountain Act establishes a 92,562-acre National Scenic Area in Virginia's George Washington and Jefferson National Forests to protect natural features like water quality, wildlife habitats, and old-growth forests. It designates five new wilderness areas (totaling ~33,857 acres) and prohibits new roads, timber harvesting, energy development, and certain land uses within the scenic area, while allowing existing recreational activities and motorized travel on current roads. The Forest Service must develop a trail plan within two years to improve nonmotorized trails and manage the area to balance conservation with public access. Private land access within the boundaries remains unaffected, and wilderness areas will be managed under the existing Wilderness Act.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits new energy development in protected wilderness areas, directly restricting all new energy projects including renewables within the designated scenic area.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes protected area, prohibits timber harvesting/energy development, and safeguards water quality/wildlife habitats - directly advances environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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