MAPWaters Act

12/28/2024, 12:53 AM

Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act

This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways.

Specifically, the Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for data collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to collection and dissemination of such data.

The Forest Service and Interior must also (1) digitize and make publicly available online certain geographic information system data about federal waterway restrictions and federal fishing restrictions, (2) update the information at least twice per year, and (3) develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data.

The MAPWaters Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 6127, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to clarify the definition of "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act.

The bill aims to provide a more precise and consistent definition of which bodies of water are subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. This is important because the current definition has been the subject of much debate and confusion, leading to inconsistent enforcement and legal challenges.

The MAPWaters Act seeks to address this issue by specifically defining which waters are considered "navigable waters" and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. The bill also aims to provide clarity on which bodies of water are considered "isolated" and therefore not subject to regulation. Overall, the MAPWaters Act is intended to streamline the regulatory process and provide more certainty to landowners, businesses, and regulators. It is currently being debated in Congress and may undergo further revisions before being voted on.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 6127
Introduced on
2023-11-01
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

11/1/2023
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act

This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways.

Specifically, the Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for data collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to collection and dissemination of such data.

The Forest Service and Interior must also (1) digitize and make publicly available online certain geographic information system data about federal waterway restrictions and federal fishing restrictions, (2) update the information at least twice per year, and (3) develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data.

The MAPWaters Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 6127, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to clarify the definition of "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act.

The bill aims to provide a more precise and consistent definition of which bodies of water are subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. This is important because the current definition has been the subject of much debate and confusion, leading to inconsistent enforcement and legal challenges.

The MAPWaters Act seeks to address this issue by specifically defining which waters are considered "navigable waters" and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. The bill also aims to provide clarity on which bodies of water are considered "isolated" and therefore not subject to regulation. Overall, the MAPWaters Act is intended to streamline the regulatory process and provide more certainty to landowners, businesses, and regulators. It is currently being debated in Congress and may undergo further revisions before being voted on.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Potential Impact
Congressional oversight•
Geography and mapping•
Government information and archives•
Government studies and investigations•
Hunting and fishing•
Land use and conservation•
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries•
Marine and inland water transportation•
Navigation, waterways, harbors•
Outdoor recreation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary12/13/2024

Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act

This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to public outdoor recreational use of federal ...

Latest Action12/18/2024
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 728.