What does Preamble of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This Act is formally titled Public Law 119-62. The Act aims to standardize, consolidate, and publish data related to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways. The data standardization efforts will involve Federal land and water management agencies.

What does > SHORT TITLE. of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025.

What does > DEFINITIONS. of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. A 'Federal fishing restriction' is defined as an area where fishing activities are prohibited or restricted by a Federal land or water management agency. A 'Federal land or water management agency' includes the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service. A 'Federal waterway' refers to waters managed by relevant Secretaries. A 'Federal waterway restriction' is a restriction on access or use of a Federal waterway applied by Secretaries. The 'Secretaries' are the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Chief of the Forest Service) and the Secretary of the Interior. The term 'State' includes the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States.

What does > INTERAGENCY DATA of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Secretaries to develop and adopt interagency standards for Federal databases. These standards aim to ensure compatibility and interoperability regarding geospatial data. The data relates to public outdoor recreational access of Federal waterways and Federal fishing restrictions. The deadline for developing and adopting these standards is 30 months after the Act's enactment.

What does > DATA CONSOLIDATION AND PUBLICATION. of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This section requires Secretaries to digitize and make publicly available online geographic information system (GIS) data related to Federal waterway restrictions. The data must include information on waterway conditions, seasonal closures, restrictions on propulsion, anchoring, travel direction, and permitted uses (e.g., canoes, motorboats, swimming). It also mandates the publication of data on Federal waterway access and navigation information, including boat ramp locations and bathymetric information. Federal fishing restrictions, including closures, no-take zones, and restrictions on equipment, must also be digitized and made publicly available. A process will be established for public comment on the information described in subsections (a) and (b). The data will be updated at least twice per year, with fishing restriction data updated in real-time. This section excludes irrigation canals and flowage easements. Data disclosures are limited to protect historic, paleontological, and archaeological resources.

What does > COOPERATION AND COORDINATION. of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This section outlines cooperation and coordination mechanisms for carrying out the Act. The Secretaries are authorized to coordinate with non-Federal agencies, private sector partners, and nonprofit partners, including state and tribal natural resource agencies, technology companies, and data science experts. The Secretaries may enter into agreements with third parties to fulfill provisions of the Act. The Secretaries may collaborate with the Director of the United States Geological Survey to manage data. Data developed and distributed under this Act must comply with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal laws. Geospatial data must include a notice regarding applicable laws. To the extent practicable, the Secretaries should utilize existing data, maps, and resources, including those from the Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

What does > REPORTS. of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Secretaries to submit an annual report to specified Congressional committees. The report must describe progress made in meeting the requirements of this Act. The initial report is due within one year of the Act's enactment. Subsequent reports are due annually through March 30, 2034.

What does > EFFECT. of MAPWaters Act of 2025 do?

This section clarifies that the Act does not modify the definition of 'navigable waters' under federal law. The Act does not affect the jurisdiction or authority of state or federal agencies to regulate navigable waters. The Act does not alter the authority or jurisdiction of federal or state agencies to manage fisheries. The Act is not intended to change the accessibility of waters open to hunting, fishing, or other forms of outdoor recreation as of the date of enactment.

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MAPWaters Act of 2025

Last updated: 12/26/2025 · Introduced: 1/3/2025

Author: Blake Moore (R-UT)

TL;DR (AI)

The MAPWaters Act of 2025 requires federal land and water management agencies to develop standardized databases and publicly release GIS data related to restrictions on access and use of federal waterways, including fishing restrictions.
Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior must coordinate with various partners, including state and tribal agencies and technology companies, to implement this data consolidation and publication effort.
The Act mandates annual reports to Congress detailing progress in standardizing and publishing data, while explicitly stating it does not alter existing definitions of navigable waters or agencies’ authority over fisheries or recreation.

119th CongressenactedS. 2637(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, <<note: 16 usc 6871 note.>> short title., and 6 more.

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