Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · Senate May 14, 2025

S 1769: Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025

This bill establishes a new program to support farmer-to-farmer networks that share technical assistance and conservation knowledge. It provides funding through cooperative agreements with eligible groups - including nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and institutions - to help farmers, ranchers, and forest owners adopt science-based conservation practices. The program specifically prioritizes historically underserved farmers (like limited-resource or high-poverty area operators) and requires language access for non-English speakers. Annual reporting ensures accountability, with a 4-year evaluation report to Congress on program outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds science-based conservation practices for farmers, directly advancing environmental protection through resource conservation and sustainable land management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Tags Agriculture Tribal Nations

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2025

S 154: Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act

This bill extends the existing Colorado River Basin conservation pilot program by updating its name and adjusting key deadlines. It changes the program's official title to match the new bill and extends its funding period from ending in 2024 to 2026, while shifting the final implementation year from 2025 to 2027. The bill does not alter the program's conservation requirements or directly affect specific groups; it only modifies the timeline for an existing federal pilot program. This is a procedural adjustment to the 2015 law, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends existing conservation program funding/timeline without altering requirements, maintaining current environmental protections for Colorado River Basin conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · United States · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 1011: Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

This bill amends two conservation programs to provide upfront payments for emergency repairs. Agricultural producers can receive up to 50% of fencing repair costs or up to 75% for other farmland rehabilitation work before starting repairs. Forest landowners may get up to 75% of emergency restoration costs before implementing measures, with funds needing to be spent within 180 days or returned. It also clarifies that federally-caused wildfires (if spread by natural causes) qualify for payments under the program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides upfront payments for conservation repairs, promoting land restoration and resource protection through funding for farmland/forest rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3526: PUBLIC Lands Act

The PUBLIC Lands Act designates approximately 1.3 million acres of California public land as wilderness areas, scenic areas, or wild and scenic rivers. It establishes the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area (871,414 acres) to improve forest resilience, protect water quality, and reduce wildfire risks through collaborative restoration planning. The bill creates new recreational trails like the Bigfoot National Recreation Trail and designates visitor centers at Trinity Lake and Del Norte County. These designations withdraw the lands from mining, mineral leasing, and other public land disposal while allowing for prescribed fire and limited recreational use.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates wilderness areas, protects water quality, and reduces wildfire risks through forest restoration - direct environmental conservation measures95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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died · United States · Senate Nov 20, 2025

SJRES 89: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment".

This joint resolution seeks to block a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule concerning the Buffalo Field Office's Resource Management Plan Amendment, which was finalized in November 2024. If passed, it would nullify the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing it from taking effect. The resolution directly affects land management decisions at the Buffalo Field Office, specifically regarding public land use and conservation planning. The bill does not create new policy but aims to invalidate an existing BLM regulation that the Government Accountability Office determined qualifies as a "rule" under federal review procedures.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks BLM rule implementing land conservation plan, removing existing environmental protections under Resource Management Plan Amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 17, 2025

S 2835: Energizing Our Communities Act

The Energizing Our Communities Act establishes a new fund using interest from specific Department of Energy loans for large-scale electric transmission projects (over 999 megawatts). It requires payments to host communities - local governments or tribes where transmission lines are built - within 18 months of project construction start. Funds must be split: 80% for community services like schools, broadband, or infrastructure, and 20% for conservation, recreation, or climate resilience projects. The bill mandates annual reports on fund usage and ensures payments supplement existing "payments in lieu of taxes."

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds large-scale transmission projects and allocates 20% to climate resilience, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure development and community climate initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 20% of funds to conservation and climate resilience projects, directly supporting environmental protection and climate initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Pipeline Infrastructure Transmission Conservation Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 31, 2025

S 1209: American Prairie Conservation Act

S 1209, the American Prairie Conservation Act, requires farmers who convert native prairie land (native sod) to cropland to certify this acreage to the USDA before receiving federal crop insurance or disaster assistance benefits. Specifically, producers must submit certified acreage reports using Farm Service Agency forms and maps, and update corrections if changes occur. The USDA must also submit annual reports to Congress starting in 2026, detailing certified tilled native sod acreage by county and state through 2030. This bill directly affects farmers using federal crop insurance or disaster programs who have tilled native prairie land, adding a certification step to benefit eligibility.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires certification for converting native prairie to cropland before federal benefits, directly conserving natural resources and preventing habitat loss.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2025

S 2128: MONARCH Act of 2025

S 2128, the MONARCH Act of 2025, establishes a $12.5 million annual fund to support conservation efforts for the western monarch butterfly, which has declined by over 99% in 30 years and faces imminent extinction. The bill creates a grant program providing funding for projects led by local governments, tribal entities, or nonprofits - focusing on restoring milkweed, nectar plants, and habitat across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Grants require project proposals demonstrating clear potential to aid monarch recovery, with mandatory reporting to the public and state legislatures on progress. The law also mandates annual reports to Congress on project outcomes and the implementation of a conservation plan developed by wildlife agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $12.5M annual conservation for western monarch butterfly habitat restoration, addressing 99% population decline via milkweed/nectar projects across 7 states.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 135: Manatee Protection Act of 2025

The Manatee Protection Act of 2025 would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to officially list the West Indian manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This designation would subject the manatee to all federal protections and regulations, including restrictions on activities harming the animals or their critical habitat. The bill directly affects the manatee population and activities in their environment, such as boating, coastal development, and waterway management, which would now require federal permits to avoid harming the species. It mandates a formal listing under existing law rather than creating new protections, ensuring the manatee is legally recognized as endangered for conservation enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires ESA listing for manatees, triggering federal protections and habitat restrictions to conserve species, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 1319: Pecos Watershed Protection Act

S 1319, the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, withdraws approximately 11,599 acres of federal land in New Mexico's Pecos Watershed from mineral exploration and development, while designating it as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill prohibits new mining claims, mineral leasing, and land disposal on this land, preserving it for wilderness conservation. Existing grazing rights and wildfire management activities are maintained under the Wilderness Act, and the designation does not create buffer zones or restrict non-wilderness activities outside the area. This directly affects federal land management practices and future mineral development opportunities in the designated wilderness area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 11,599 acres from mining, designates as wilderness, prohibits mineral development, preserving watershed ecosystem and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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