Bill Explainer

SENATE · S 2637 119 CONGRESS

MAPWaters Act of 2025

INTRODUCED

July 31, 2025

POLICY AREA

Public Lands and Natural Resources

STATUS

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S5001)

SOURCE

Congress.gov ↗

Bill Summary

The Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 (MAPWaters Act) is a bipartisan bill designed to improve public access to information about federal waterways by standardizing, consolidating, and publishing data on recreational use and restrictions across multiple federal agencies. The bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior, in coordination with the Federal Geographic Data Committee, to develop interagency data standards within 30 months of enactment to ensure compatibility among federal databases regarding geospatial data on public outdoor recreational access and federal fishing restrictions. Within five years, each Secretary must digitize and make publicly available online GIS data concerning federal waterway restrictions (including status information, seasonal closures, motorized propulsion restrictions, anchoring restrictions, speed limits, travel direction restrictions, and permissible watercraft types), federal waterway access and navigation information (including boat ramps, portages, fishing access sites, bathymetric information, and depth charts), and federal fishing restrictions (including location and boundaries of restrictions, equipment/bait restrictions, and catch-and-release requirements). The bill mandates a public comment process for users to submit questions or comments, requires data updates at least twice yearly for waterway and access data and in real time for fishing restriction data, excludes irrigation canals and flowage easements, and prohibits disclosure of sensitive historic, paleontological, or archaeological resource information. The Secretaries may partner with state and tribal agencies, private sector companies, nonprofits, technology firms, and experts, and may work with the USGS to fulfill the Act's requirements. Data must be developed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, and existing data from related efforts (such as the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act) should be incorporated where practicable. Annual progress reports must be submitted to specified House and Senate committees through March 30, 2034. The bill explicitly states that it does not modify the definition of navigable waters, affect state or federal agency jurisdiction over navigable waters, alter federal or state agency authority to manage fisheries, or change the accessibility of waters open to hunting, fishing, or other outdoor recreation as of the enactment date.

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Where Each Party Stands

MIGHT SUPPORT

+Advances equity in outdoor recreation by making access information readily available to all members of the public, including underserved communities who may lack local knowledge or resources to navigate federal waterway systems.

+Supports environmental conservation by enabling better monitoring and management of fishing restrictions, catch-and-release requirements, and protected areas through standardized, real-time data updates.

+Promotes intergovernmental cooperation by requiring coordination with state, tribal, and local agencies, fostering a collaborative approach to natural resource management.

+Leverages technology and innovation through partnerships with private sector and academic experts to create modern, user-friendly data systems that enhance public engagement with public lands and waters.

+Protects cultural and historical resources by safeguarding sensitive archaeological and paleontological information from public disclosure while still promoting transparency about recreational access.

+Encourages sustainable recreation by providing clear information on watercraft restrictions, speed limits, and no-wake zones, which can reduce environmental damage and conflicts between user groups.

+Ensures accountability through mandatory biennial updates, real-time fishing restriction updates, and regular congressional reporting, creating a transparent framework for progress tracking.

+Supports small businesses and local economies dependent on outdoor recreation tourism by making it easier for visitors to plan trips and access federal waterways safely and legally.

MIGHT OPPOSE

−Concerns that the bill does not go far enough to actively improve access or reduce barriers, focusing only on data publication rather than addressing underlying access restrictions or inequities in recreation opportunities.

−Risk that reliance on third-party partners and private companies could lead to data privatization or commercialization, potentially limiting free public access to information in the long term.

−Potential for inadequate funding to support the ambitious data digitization, standardization, and publication requirements, resulting in delayed implementation or incomplete data coverage.

−Concerns about the effectiveness of the public comment process if it is not meaningfully integrated into decision-making or if marginalized communities face barriers to participation.

−The bill's exclusion of irrigation canals and flowage easements may limit its usefulness for comprehensive water resource management, particularly in agricultural regions.

−Potential overlap or confusion with existing state and local data systems, creating redundancy rather than true interoperability if not carefully coordinated.

−The 5-year timeline for data publication may be too slow to address urgent needs for improved access information, especially in rapidly changing environmental conditions.

−Uneven implementation across agencies could result in inconsistent data quality or coverage, undermining the goal of nationwide standardization.

MIGHT SUPPORT

+Promotes government efficiency by reducing duplication and improving data sharing across federal agencies.

+Enhances public access to outdoor recreation by providing clear, standardized information about waterway access and restrictions, which can boost tourism and local economies.

+Encourages partnerships with state, tribal, and private sector entities, leveraging external expertise and resources without expanding federal bureaucracy.

+Protects sensitive historical and cultural resources by prohibiting disclosure of GIS data that could endanger archaeological or paleontological sites.

+Maintains existing regulatory frameworks by explicitly stating the bill does not alter jurisdiction over navigable waters or fisheries management authority.

+Supports data-driven decision making for resource management through standardized, interoperable data collection and dissemination.

+Requires regular updates and public comment processes, ensuring transparency and accountability in how data is maintained and presented to the public.

+Builds upon existing efforts like the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act, avoiding reinventing the wheel and promoting continuity in public access initiatives.

MIGHT OPPOSE

−Concern over potential federal overreach in data collection and standardization, even if jurisdiction is not altered, as it may lead to increased federal involvement in traditionally state-managed areas.

−Risk of unfunded mandates on federal agencies to develop and maintain complex GIS systems and data standards without guaranteed appropriations.

−Potential for public confusion or misuse of detailed recreational data, possibly leading to overcrowding in sensitive areas or increased pressure on fragile ecosystems.

−Concerns about data security and privacy, particularly if third-party partners are involved in handling sensitive geospatial information.

−May create regulatory burdens on small businesses and outfitters who rely on federal waterways if data publication leads to new interpretations or enforcement of existing restrictions.

−The long implementation timeline (up to 5 years for data publication) delays potential benefits, and annual reporting requirements through 2034 create prolonged oversight burdens.

−Partnerships with private technology companies could raise concerns about preferential treatment or lack of transparency in contracting processes.

−Exclusion of irrigation canals and flowage easements may create data gaps that limit the usefulness of the system for certain water users, such as farmers.

History

Jul 31, 2025