Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2731
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-17T09:06:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 aims to improve understanding and management of the Great Lakes by directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create detailed, high-resolution maps of the lakebeds. This will support navigation safety, resource identification, habitat protection, and environmental monitoring in these vital freshwater systems.
Key Provisions
- Mapping Timeline and Scope: NOAA must complete a collaborative high-resolution survey and mapping of the Great Lakes lakebeds by December 31, 2030. This includes producing a full map, gathering bathymetric data (measurements of water depths and underwater terrain), cataloging existing data, and storing related metadata (descriptive information about the data).
- Coordination Requirements: NOAA will work with Great Lakes-bordering state governors, state agencies focused on lake policies, the National Ocean Mapping Council, the Lakebed 2030 Regional Initiative, other ocean observing systems, and any other relevant groups.
- Data Sharing and Accessibility: As mapping progresses, completed sections of the map must be made publicly available promptly. Within 180 days after completion (if feasible), the full map, metadata, and other required data will be released to the public. NOAA must also integrate the data into practical tools, such as nautical charts (navigation maps) and products for resource mapping and habitat analysis.
- Funding: Authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, with funds available through 2030 to support the effort.
- Limitations: The Act does not alter existing NOAA processes under the Digital Coast Act or the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new, targeted mandate for NOAA to prioritize and fund high-resolution lakebed mapping specifically for the Great Lakes, building on but not modifying prior laws related to coastal and ocean mapping. It establishes a dedicated timeline, coordination framework, and public data release requirements that were not previously specified for these lakebeds.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NOAA will gain resources and responsibilities for enhanced data collection and sharing, potentially improving inter-agency collaboration on environmental and navigation issues. State agencies in Great Lakes regions may benefit from better-integrated data for policy and planning.
- Citizens: Public access to detailed maps could enhance boating safety, support recreational activities, and inform local environmental decisions. It may also aid in disaster response, such as during floods or search-and-rescue operations.
- International Relations: The Great Lakes are shared with Canada, so improved U.S. mapping could facilitate binational cooperation on water management, though the Act focuses on U.S. efforts without direct international provisions.
- Broader Effects: Enhanced data could boost economic activities like shipping, fishing, and tourism by identifying underwater resources and hazards, while supporting conservation efforts amid climate change pressures on freshwater systems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily NOAA, with involvement from mapping councils and observing systems.
- State Governments: Officials and agencies in the eight Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin), including governors and environmental departments.
- Regional and Local Entities: Groups like the Great Lakes Observing System and Lakebed 2030 Initiative, which focus on lake monitoring and policy.
- Public and Industries: Boaters, fishers, shippers, environmental organizations, and researchers who rely on accurate lakebed information for safety, commerce, and science.
- Bipartisan Sponsors: Introduced by a diverse group of House representatives from Great Lakes districts, indicating broad regional support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The Act reinforces public access to government data under existing transparency laws, with no overrides to current mapping procedures, ensuring compatibility with broader federal environmental statutes. It authorizes spending without mandating it, leaving appropriation to Congress.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over commerce, navigation, and natural resources; no apparent conflicts with states' rights, as it emphasizes coordination rather than federal override.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan, regional consensus on environmental infrastructure, potentially serving as a model for similar mapping initiatives in other U.S. waterways. It highlights priorities for Great Lakes restoration amid ongoing debates on water security and climate adaptation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9]
Cosponsors (18)
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-08: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (5 pages)