Environment

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 Jul 21, 2026

S 3542: Upper Raritan River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025

This bill designates specific segments of the Upper Raritan River Watershed in New Jersey - including the North Branch, South Branch, and Lamington-Black Rivers and their tributaries - for a federal study. The study, to be completed within 3 years of funding, will evaluate whether these watersheds qualify for potential future inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Secretary of the Interior must report the study results to Congress. This bill does not immediately protect the rivers but initiates a process to assess their eligibility for federal protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill initiates study to evaluate potential inclusion in Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a conservation program, advancing future protection of watershed resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 3553: BRUSH Fires Act

HR 3553, the BRUSH Fires Act, requires the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a study evaluating wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems (like chaparral and sagebrush) to reduce fire risk and damage to nearby communities. The study will assess fuel management practices, invasive species control, ember ignition prevention, and factors hindering effective wildfire management. It mandates a report within 90 days of study completion, identifying best practices, research gaps, and opportunities to improve Forest Service coordination with local entities. The bill directly affects communities near shrublands and Forest Service managers by gathering data to inform future fire prevention strategies. This is a procedural study bill, not a policy change, with no direct funding or regulatory requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStudies wildfire mitigation in shrublands to reduce ecological damage and community risk, aligning with conservation and resource protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Apr 18, 2025

HR 2235: Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2025

HR 2235, the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2025, amends key USDA conservation programs to prioritize wildlife habitat connectivity, particularly for big game species like deer and elk. It adds habitat connectivity and migration corridors as conservation goals in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), allowing payments for activities like planning and maintenance on grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that are ecologically significant. The bill increases the maximum rental payment limit for CRP grasslands from $50,000 to $125,000 per year and requires the USDA to incorporate nonstructural methods (like virtual fencing) into conservation standards. It also directs research grants to study virtual fencing technology and its impacts on sensitive habitats used by big game species.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds habitat connectivity and migration corridors as conservation goals in USDA programs, promoting wildlife habitat protection and conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Feb 14, 2025

HR 389: Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act

HR 389, the Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act, creates a new program to provide annual payments to agricultural producers in specific Texas counties along the southern border. It directs the Secretary to fund conservation practices that repair damage to farmland and farming infrastructure caused by natural resource issues in those counties. The program applies to producers in 35 designated border counties (including El Paso, Hidalgo, and Webb) and requires one-year contracts for payments. This bill directly affects farmers and ranchers in these counties by offering financial support for land restoration through conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation practices to repair farmland damage from natural resource issues, directly supporting environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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passed · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 471: Fix Our Forests Act

HR 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, establishes a new system for identifying and managing high-risk wildfire areas called "firesheds" and creates a centralized Fireshed Center to coordinate wildfire risk management across federal agencies. The bill streamlines environmental reviews for wildfire risk reduction projects, allowing for faster implementation of hazardous fuels management activities in designated areas. It includes provisions for community wildfire risk reduction programs, water source protection, and specific initiatives for restoring white oak forests. The legislation also includes litigation reforms to expedite forest management projects and reduce delays from legal challenges. These provisions aim to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health through more coordinated, data-driven management approaches.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes wildfire risk management to protect forests and natural resources through streamlined hazardous fuels projects, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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passed · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 1948: To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.

HR 1948 authorizes the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to accept funds from federal or non-federal entities - including grants or agreements - to study, design, construct, operate, or maintain wastewater treatment facilities, water conservation projects, and flood control works along the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill requires these funds to be deposited into a specific U.S. Treasury account and imposes a $5 million annual limit on reimbursing non-federal partners for project costs. It also prohibits accepting funds from entities tied to "foreign countries of concern" (as defined in other law) and mandates annual reports to Congress detailing how funds were used. This bill directly affects the IBWC’s funding mechanisms and entities providing financial support for border water infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes funding for wastewater treatment, water conservation, and flood control - directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control along the border.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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passed · United States · House May 14, 2025

HR 1001: To provide for a memorandum of understanding to address the impacts of a certain record of decision on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund.

HR 1001 requires federal agencies to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) addressing how a specific 2024 record of decision (related to Glen Canyon Dam operations) might impact the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. The MOU, developed with the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group, must establish a plan to address three key areas: potential effects on infrastructure costs and operations, impacts on hydropower production and grid reliability, and effects on endangered species. It directly affects the Interior Department, Energy Department, and the fund managing hydropower revenues from Glen Canyon Dam. The bill focuses on assessing and planning for potential financial and operational impacts, not on changing the record of decision itself.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates MOU addressing hydropower production impacts and grid reliability, supporting renewable energy infrastructure stability within Colorado River Basin operations.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires addressing impacts on endangered species in MOU, directly aligning with environmental protection and conservation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Hydroelectric Wildlife

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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 · House Sep 3, 2025

HR 5104: Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025

The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 establishes a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to coordinate federal efforts on heat-related health risks. It creates an interagency committee to develop a strategic plan for improving data sharing, forecasting, and decision support tools for heat events, with a focus on communities disproportionately affected by extreme heat. The bill authorizes a Community Heat Resilience Program that provides grants to states, tribes, and local governments for projects like urban forestry, cooling centers, and heat action plans, requiring at least 40% of funds to target communities with environmental justice concerns. The legislation also mandates a study to identify gaps in heat information and response capabilities across the country. This comprehensive approach aims to reduce heat-related health impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations including older adults, outdoor workers, and communities of color.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses extreme heat events (climate change impact) via federal coordination system and resilience grants, supporting climate adaptation efforts under environmental policy.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes NIHHIS and Community Heat Resilience Program to address heat-related health risks through public health coordination, data sharing, and targeted grants for vulnerable communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice Forestry

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