Environment (Public Lands)

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 564: Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 resolves longstanding water rights claims for the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation in the Zuni River Stream System. It establishes a $655.5 million trust fund to support water infrastructure development, confirms the Tribe's water rights held in trust by the U.S. government (prohibiting forfeiture through non-use), and withdraws approximately 92,364 acres of federal land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The bill ensures allottees' (individual landowners) water rights remain separate from the Tribe's rights, with specific provisions for accounting for water use on allotments. This settlement replaces all previous claims against the U.S. government related to water rights in the Zuni River System.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes trust fund for water infrastructure, confirms water rights, and withdraws federal land to protect Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, directly supporting environmental conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1376: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail. The 287-mile trail, which runs through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina across federal lands and protected areas, directly affects the communities along its route and the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, assessing factors like the trail's current maintenance (95% on federal land, managed since 1980 by a nonprofit) and its economic benefits to rural areas. It does not designate the trail as a National Scenic Trail, only authorizes a study to determine if that step is appropriate.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a National Scenic Trail, which protects natural resources, promotes conservation, and preserves environmental areas through federal designation and maintenance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SRES 645: A resolution recognizing 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists".

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, acknowledging the ecological and economic importance of these lands to the United States. The bill highlights that rangelands cover a significant portion of U.S. territory and support domestic production of food, fiber, and energy while providing critical ecosystem services like carbon storage and wildfire risk reduction. It encourages federal agencies, universities, and organizations to engage in education, research, and outreach activities related to sustainable rangeland management during the designated year. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to raise awareness and promote collaboration among stakeholders involved in rangeland stewardship.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill recognizes rangelands for supporting domestic energy production and ecosystem services like carbon storage, indicating positive stance on energy infrastructure.65% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes ecological importance of rangelands, highlighting carbon storage and wildfire risk reduction as ecosystem services, promoting conservation awareness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1464: Buffalo Tract Protection Act

S 1464, the Buffalo Tract Protection Act, withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in New Mexico (described as Tracts A-D on a 2019 map) from mining claims, mineral leasing, and other disposal under federal law. This directly affects the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which administers the land, by prohibiting new mineral development on the surface. The bill allows the surface estate to be conveyed (sold or transferred) under existing laws like the Federal Land Policy Act, but requires the federal government to retain all mineral rights permanently.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits new mineral development on federal land, restricting potential energy production from mining and leasing activities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 4,288 acres from mining/mineral leasing, prohibiting new development to protect natural resources and prevent environmental damage from extraction activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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passed · United States · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 282: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act

This bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to voluntarily acquire specific land within a defined "authorized acquisition area" (outside the current monument boundary) to expand Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. It prohibits the use of eminent domain for land purchases and requires boundary adjustments upon acquisition. The bill maintains existing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation rights on newly acquired land, and permits noncommercial hand-gathering of fiddlehead ferns under certain conditions. It also directs the Secretary to collaborate with local communities on public education about the area's history and management, while preserving existing timber access rights.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected land area of Katahdin Woods monument, maintaining conservation status without weakening environmental protections or regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Feb 18, 2025

HR 1444: Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

HR 1444, the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025, establishes a settlement for the Zuni Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Stream System by confirming the Tribe's water rights held in trust by the U.S. government. The bill creates a $655.5 million Trust Fund for water infrastructure development and management, plus $29.5 million for operation and maintenance, with funds to be used for projects like water treatment, irrigation systems, and watershed protection. It also protects approximately 217,000 acres of culturally significant land around Zuni Salt Lake by withdrawing Federal land from development and imposing management restrictions. The settlement ensures Tribal water rights cannot be forfeited for non-use and maintains existing water rights for individual allottees on Zuni Lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds watershed protection and water infrastructure projects, directly advancing environmental conservation and resource management under tribal water rights settlement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Public Lands Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2025

S 859: Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025

The Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 establishes new fees and royalties for hardrock mining operations on federal land. Mining claim holders must pay $200 annually per claim, and operators pay a 5-8% royalty on mineral production. The bill creates a Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund to which these fees and royalties will be deposited for reclaiming abandoned mine sites. It also establishes new permit requirements for mineral exploration and mining, along with financial assurance requirements to ensure reclamation. These provisions directly affect mining operators on federal lands, requiring them to comply with new fee structures, permit processes, and reclamation obligations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund from mining fees to reclaim abandoned mine sites, directly addressing environmental remediation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Dec 5, 2025

HR 5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. federal lands by enhancing preparation, detection, suppression, and recovery efforts. The bill requires federal agencies to improve transparency around wildfire funding, establish reimbursement for military training-related wildfires, and create strategic fire management plans for at-risk areas. It authorizes research on drone technology for firefighting, funding for local firefighter training, and establishes a new account for long-term burned area rehabilitation. The act directly affects federal land management agencies, state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone areas across the western United States. Key provisions include improved detection technology, post-fire recovery resources, and incentives for innovative solutions to invasive species problems following wildfires.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enhances wildfire management on federal lands, focusing on prevention, recovery, and protecting natural resources from wildfire damage, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAuthorizes research on drone technology for firefighting, directly advancing technology application in wildfire management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 91: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. landscapes by focusing on preparation, detection, suppression, and post-fire recovery. The bill requires federal land managers to create strategic fire management plans for high-risk areas, establish transparent reporting on firefighting costs, and reimburse states for wildfire suppression caused by military training. It promotes new technology through provisions for wildfire detection equipment, slip-on tanker units, and research on unmanned aircraft systems, while also creating a dedicated Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account for ecosystem restoration. These provisions primarily affect federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture Departments), state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone regions. The bill includes specific reporting requirements and funding mechanisms to support these new approaches to wildfire management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill focuses on wildfire management, strategic plans, and post-fire recovery to protect natural landscapes and resources from wildfire damage, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 2754: Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act

This bill transfers federal land and water rights for Crystal Reservoir in Ouray, Colorado, to the City of Ouray. The city must maintain the area as public open space for recreation (like fishing) with no fees, manage dam maintenance, and avoid development beyond necessary infrastructure. If the city violates these terms, the land reverts to federal ownership. The transfer occurs at no cost to the city, except for survey expenses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires maintaining reservoir as public open space with no development, preserving natural area for recreation and conservation per bill terms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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