What does Preamble of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To address the management by certain Federal land management agencies over Federal land along the southern border and northern border, and for other purposes,' aims to address the management of Federal land along the southern and northern borders. The bill was introduced in the Senate on October 2, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Border Lands Conservation Act.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Appropriate congressional committees” are defined as the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. A “Border State” is a state that abuts either the southern or northern border. “Covered Federal land” refers to land owned by the United States, located near the southern or northern border, and administered by a Federal land management agency, excluding land held in trust for Indian Tribes. “Federal land management agency” is defined by reference to section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. The “Initiative” is defined as the Border Fuels Management Initiative established under section 8(a). “Northern border” is defined as the international border between the United States and Canada. “Operational control” is defined by reference to section 2(b) of the Secure Fence Act of 2006. “Secretaries” refers to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture. “Secretary concerned” depends on the jurisdiction of the land; it's the Secretary of the Interior for land under their jurisdiction and the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Chief of the Forest Service) for National Forest System land. “Southern border” is defined as the international border between the United States and Mexico. “Tactical infrastructure” includes infrastructure for detecting illegal border crossings, such as observation points, video surveillance, and fences.

What does NAVIGABLE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ALONG COVERED FEDERAL LAND. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

The Secretaries (unspecified) are directed to inventory existing roads and install navigable roads on covered Federal land. The purpose of installing these roads is to deter illegal border crossings, gain operational control of the southern and northern borders, and increase Department of Homeland Security access to covered Federal land. The Secretaries are responsible for administering and maintaining the installed roads. Access to these roads will be provided to the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, emergency personnel, and other personnel deemed necessary. The Secretaries will enter into cooperative agreements with the Secretary of Homeland Security to install technology on covered Federal land to deter illegal entry and gain operational control of the borders.

What does ACCESS TO WILDERNESS AREAS. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section amends Section 4(d) of the Wilderness Act. It allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct activities within wilderness areas to secure international land borders. Permissible activities include constructing access structures, roads, and deploying tactical infrastructure. The Secretary can execute search and rescue operations and use motor vehicles and aircraft. Patrols on foot and horseback are also authorized. The use of aircraft is permitted, overriding existing laws and regulations regarding aircraft use in wilderness areas.

What does SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section restricts the ability of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to impede, prohibit, or restrict Department of Homeland Security activities. These activities are limited to covered Federal land within 100 miles of the southern or northern border. Permissible activities include executing search and rescue operations. Permissible activities also include preventing unlawful entries into the United States. Unlawful entries include those by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband.

What does INTERAGENCY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section establishes a requirement for the 'Secretary concerned' to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of Homeland Security. The purpose of this agreement is to fulfill commitments outlined in a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding concerns cooperative national security and counterterrorism efforts on federal lands along the United States' borders. The memorandum was signed in March 2006. The agreement may also cover any successor to the original memorandum of understanding.

What does INVENTORY OF ROADS AND TRAILS ON COVERED FEDERAL LAND HARMED BY of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section requires a federal inventory of unauthorized roads and trails on covered federal land created by illegal border crossings. The inventory must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment. Following the inventory, a determination must be made within two years regarding whether each road or trail has permanently altered the land and caused significant environmental degradation. If a road or trail is determined to be damaged, the relevant Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. The cooperative agreement will utilize and maintain the road or trail to deter illegal entry and gain operational control of the border.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BORDER FUELS MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE. of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section establishes the Border Fuels Management Initiative. The Initiative must be established within one year of the Act's enactment. Activities under the Initiative include reducing hazardous fuels, addressing invasive species, and installing fuel breaks on covered Federal land. The Secretaries must set annual targets for acres to treat. Fuels management prioritization will coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security, focusing on areas with navigable roads. Coordination with the U.S. Border Patrol and State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies is required.

What does REPORTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND WILDLAND FIRES CAUSED of Border Lands Conservation Act do?

This section mandates reports to Congress regarding environmental degradation and wildland fires linked to individuals without lawful immigration status. The Secretary concerned must submit a report within one year of enactment detailing incidents on covered Federal land, including acreage burned, environmental degradation descriptions, cleanup costs, and apprehension status of individuals involved. The Secretary of the Interior must submit a similar report within one year concerning impacts on National Park System units, including visitor safety, environmental degradation, and associated costs. The Secretary of the Interior must also submit a report within one year regarding impacts on National Wildlife Refuge System units, covering visitor safety, hunting/fishing access limitations, and environmental degradation. The Comptroller General is required to update a 2011 report on wildland fire management activities and expand its scope to include other Border States. The Comptroller General must also submit a report detailing the effects of illegal immigration on the ranching and livestock industries and provide policy recommendations.

Back to bills

Border Lands Conservation Act

Last updated: 10/22/2025 · Introduced: 10/2/2025

Author: Mike Lee (R-UT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill directs federal land management agencies to inventory and construct navigable roads on federal land near the southern and northern borders to deter illegal crossings and improve access for law enforcement and border security personnel.
It amends the Wilderness Act to allow the Department of Homeland Security to conduct border security activities, including constructing infrastructure and patrols, within designated wilderness areas.
The bill prioritizes cooperative agreements between federal land management agencies and the Department of Homeland Security to address national security and counterterrorism efforts along the borders.
It mandates an inventory of unauthorized roads and trails created by illegal border crossings and requires subsequent agreements to utilize these routes for border security purposes.
The bill establishes a Border Fuels Management Initiative to reduce hazardous fuels and coordinate fuels management with border security agencies, while also prohibiting federal funds from being used to house individuals without lawful immigration status on federal land.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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