MAPWaters Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2637
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S5001)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T22:03:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 (MAPWaters Act of 2025) aims to improve public access to information about outdoor recreation on federal waterways by requiring federal land and water management agencies to standardize, consolidate, and publicly share relevant data. This includes details on access restrictions, navigation aids, and fishing rules, making it easier for the public to plan safe and legal recreational activities like boating, fishing, and paddling.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, such as "Federal waterway" (waters managed by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture), "Federal land or water management agency" (including the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service), and restrictions on fishing or waterway use.
- Data Standardization (Sec. 3): Within 30 months of enactment, the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture must develop compatible standards for geospatial data (digital mapping information) on recreational access to federal waterways and fishing restrictions, in coordination with the Federal Geographic Data Committee.
- Data Consolidation and Publication (Sec. 4): Within 5 years, agencies must digitize and post online geographic information system (GIS) data covering:
- Waterway Restrictions: Open/closed status, seasonal closures, limits on motorized boats (e.g., horsepower, fuel type), no-wake zones, speed limits, and allowed uses (e.g., canoes, motorboats, swimming).
- Access and Navigation: Locations of boat ramps, portages (paths around obstacles), fishing sites, and water depth charts (bathymetric data) where feasible, including seasonal availability.
- Fishing Restrictions: Boundaries of closed areas, no-take zones (where catching fish is prohibited), equipment/bait limits, and catch-and-release rules.
- Public input process for questions/comments; updates at least twice yearly (or real-time for fishing changes); exclusions for irrigation canals and flowage easements (rights to flood land for water management); and protections against revealing sensitive cultural or historical sites.
- Cooperation and Coordination (Sec. 5): Agencies can partner with states, tribes, tech companies, nonprofits, and the U.S. Geological Survey for data collection and sharing. All data must comply with federal, state, and tribal laws, and existing resources (e.g., from prior laws like the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act) should be incorporated where possible.
- Reporting (Sec. 6): Annual progress reports to congressional committees (e.g., House Natural Resources, Senate Energy and Natural Resources) through March 30, 2034.
- Limitations (Sec. 7): The bill does not change definitions of "navigable waters" (waters usable for interstate travel and commerce), agency authority over water regulation or fisheries, or public access to recreational areas as of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces mandatory timelines and standards for interagency data sharing on waterway recreation, building on but expanding prior efforts like the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act (which focused on land access) and provisions in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- Requires new online GIS data publication and real-time updates for fishing restrictions, which were not uniformly required before, promoting digital accessibility over scattered or paper-based information.
- No direct alterations to regulatory powers, but mandates cooperation with non-federal partners, potentially streamlining data efforts without creating new enforcement mechanisms.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for data digitization and updates but fosters efficiency through standardization and partnerships, reducing duplication across agencies like the National Park Service and Forest Service.
- Citizens: Enhances safety and convenience for recreational users (e.g., boaters, anglers) by providing free, centralized online maps and rules, potentially boosting participation in outdoor activities while avoiding fines for unintentional violations.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal waterways and does not address cross-border waters or foreign entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, plus specified bureaus (e.g., Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), responsible for implementation.
- Public Users: Recreational enthusiasts, including fishers, boaters, paddlers, and hunters, who gain better access to information.
- State and Tribal Governments: Natural resource agencies that may collaborate on data and provide input.
- Private and Nonprofit Sectors: Tech and geospatial companies, data experts, and outdoor recreation groups that can partner for development.
- Congressional Committees: Oversight bodies receiving reports, influencing future funding and policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing authorities without expanding or limiting jurisdiction over waters or fisheries, ensuring compliance with laws like the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act). Protects sensitive sites under cultural resource laws (e.g., National Historic Preservation Act).
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal property management powers under the Property Clause (U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3), promoting public use of federal lands/waters without infringing on state rights or private property.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan support for recreation access (introduced by Sens. Barrasso and King), potentially aiding rural economies through tourism. Annual reporting provides accountability, but the 2034 sunset clause limits long-term commitments, avoiding indefinite mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S5001)
- 2025-07-31: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (10 pages)