Environment (Public Lands)

passed · United States · House May 14, 2025

HR 331: To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

This bill clarifies how states, tribes, or public entities can use existing water infrastructure (like canals built before 1976) for aquifer recharge without needing new federal permits. It requires 30 days' advance notice to the Bureau of Land Management detailing the infrastructure, intended use, and a written agreement with the rights-holder. Non-profit uses of existing rights are exempt from additional rent, but for-profit operations are not. The bill also exempts these recharge activities from certain environmental laws (Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act) and allows modifying existing infrastructure. It directly affects water management entities working with federal land rights.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies use of existing infrastructure for aquifer recharge (a water conservation practice), enabling states/tribes to replenish groundwater without new permits, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2026

S 1547: America the Beautiful Act

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. It requires that projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund must secure at least 15% of their costs from public donations, which will be solicited through public awareness campaigns, donation locations at recreation sites, and during the purchase of recreation passes. The bill also mandates new reporting requirements for deferred maintenance and disposal of assets no longer serving public interest, while ensuring donations are credited to the Fund and allocated to specific projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases funding for national park restoration, requiring public donations for conservation projects, directly advancing environmental protection and resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 10, 2025

S 1412: Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025

This bill withdraws federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) from oil and gas leasing and development. It automatically terminates non-producing oil and gas leases on these lands and prevents new mineral leasing within the designated area, protecting cultural resources and the park’s visitor experience. The withdrawal specifically applies to federal land within the mapped "Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area" but does not affect tribal mineral rights on trust land. It aims to safeguard sacred sites, prehistoric roads, and the park’s dark sky status from potential impacts of energy development.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly withdraws federal lands from oil/gas leasing and terminates existing leases, directly restricting fossil fuel energy development in the Chaco area.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws federal lands from oil/gas leasing to protect UNESCO site and cultural resources, preventing environmental degradation from development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 349: Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025

This bill allows electrical utilities to remove vegetation near power lines on National Forest System land without needing a separate timber sale, provided the work follows existing land management plans and environmental laws. It directly affects utilities operating in national forests by streamlining vegetation management to reduce fire risks near transmission and distribution lines. If utilities sell the removed vegetation, they must share the proceeds (minus transportation costs) with the Forest Service, though the bill doesn't require them to sell the material. The key change simplifies permitting for routine line clearance while adding a financial mechanism for utility sales.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines vegetation management for power lines to reduce fire risks, directly supporting energy infrastructure reliability and safety.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces wildfire risks through vegetation management near power lines, aligning with environmental protection goals while complying with existing environmental laws.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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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 · 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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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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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 Mar 27, 2025

HR 2467: America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

HR 2467, America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, would designate approximately 1.3 million acres of public land across Utah as wilderness areas, protecting them from development and managing them for conservation. The bill specifically designates 77 wilderness areas in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau regions, including lands within existing national monuments like Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears. It includes provisions for water rights protection, allows continued livestock grazing under certain conditions, and withdraws the designated lands from mining and mineral leasing. The bill also ensures Tribal rights are protected and requires the Secretary of the Interior to administer these areas according to wilderness management standards.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill designates public lands as wilderness, restricting potential energy development and infrastructure projects on those lands.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 1.3M acres as wilderness to protect from development and manage for conservation, directly advancing environmental protection and natural resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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