S 2637119th CongressIn Committee

MAPWaters Act of 2025

Introduced: Jul 31, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (R-Wyoming)

Environment & ClimateInfrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

MAPWaters Act of 2025 proposes to standardize, consolidate, and publish geospatial data about public outdoor recreation on Federal waterways across the federal land and water management agencies (NPS, BLM, Forest Service, USFWS, and Bureau of Reclamation). The bill directs interagency development of data standards, in coordination with the Federal Geographic Data Committee, to ensure compatibility of datasets related to public access, restrictions, and fishing on federal waterways. It requires the agencies to digitize and publicly publish GIS data on waterway restrictions, access and navigation information, and fishing restrictions within set timelines (notably within 5 years) and to update that information regularly. The act also establishes a framework for public comment and collaboration with non-federal partners, including states, tribes, and private sector/tech groups, and clarifies that it does not alter navigable-water definitions or agency authorities.

Key Points

1Interagency data standards: Within 30 months, the Secretaries (Department of Agriculture/Forest Service and Department of the Interior) must jointly develop and adopt compatible standards for GIS data across agencies, working with the Federal Geographic Data Committee.
2Data consolidation and public publication (waterway restrictions): Within 5 years, agencies must digitize and publicly publish GIS data on waterway restrictions, including status (open/closed), seasonal closures, propulsion or fuel restrictions, anchoring and speed restrictions, travel direction restrictions, and what activities are allowed in each area (e.g., paddlecraft, motorboats, swimming, etc.).
3Data consolidation and public publication (access/navigation): Within 5 years, agencies must publish GIS data on boat ramps, portages, fishing access sites, and open/closed dates for facilities, plus bathymetric depth information where feasible.
4Data consolidation and public publication (fishing restrictions): Within 5 years, agencies must publish GIS data on the location and boundaries of fishing restrictions (closures, no-take zones, protections within/near marine protected areas), gear/bait restrictions, and catch-and-release requirements.
5Public engagement and updates: Agencies must establish a process for public questions/comments, update data at least twice a year for restrictions/access data, and update fishing restrictions in real time as changes occur. Data exclusions apply to irrigation canals and flowage easements; disclosures must protect sensitive archaeological/paleontological resources.

Impact Areas

Primary groups/areas affected: Recreational users of Federal waterways (boaters, anglers, paddle sport enthusiasts, divers, etc.) who rely on accurate, up-to-date information about where and how they can access and use federal waters; the Federal land and water management agencies (NPS, BLM, Forest Service, USFWS, Bureau of Reclamation) that manage these waterways.Secondary groups/areas affected: State and Tribal natural resource agencies, private sector and nonprofit partners, geospatial and data science companies, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that may participate or conduct data collection, standardization, and publishing on behalf of the Secretaries. Researchers and outdoor recreation stakeholders may also benefit from improved data accessibility.Additional impacts:- Potential improvements in transparency and planning for outdoor recreation and resource management.- Coordination costs and need for funding to develop, digitize, and maintain extensive GIS datasets.- Possible alignment with or integration into existing data programs (e.g., other public land data initiatives and the references to prior laws/public data efforts).- The act preserves existing authorities and definitions (e.g., navigable waters) and does not change fisheries management or access rights as of enactment.

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