Overview
Title
To 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.
ELI5 AI
The Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act wants to make it easier for people to find and use information about where they can fish, boat, and play on rivers and lakes by creating simple online maps and guides. The bill asks various government groups to work together and share this information with everyone.
Summary AI
H.R. 6127, titled the "Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act," aims to standardize, consolidate, and publish data about the recreational use of federal waterways in the U.S. It requires federal agencies to create interoperable standards for geospatial data regarding access and restrictions on federal waterways, fishing restrictions, and navigation information, all of which must be publicly accessible online. The bill mandates collaboration with state and tribal agencies, as well as other partners, to achieve these goals, and includes provisions for regular updates and public comments. It does not, however, alter existing laws or regulations concerning navigable waters or agency jurisdiction.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act (MAPWaters Act) aims to enhance the management of federal waterways by standardizing, consolidating, and publishing data related to public outdoor recreational use. The bill mandates federal agencies to develop interagency data standards and make information about waterway access, restrictions, and regulations digitally available to the public. This involves cooperation among various federal, state, and tribal agencies, along with private entities, to ensure the data is accurate and accessible. The Act also requires regular updates to this information and annual progress reports to Congress.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from the bill's current formulation:
Definitions Lacking Clarity: The term "Federal fishing restriction" is ambiguous regarding what constitutes permanent or temporary restrictions.
Administrative and Resource Concerns: There are potential administrative burdens due to the lack of defined funding sources and costs for digitizing and publishing data on federal waterways. The bill requires updates at least twice annually without clarity on how this will be supported financially.
Ambiguity in Partnerships and Standards: Broad discretion in partnering with private sector companies raises concerns about potential favoritism or conflicts of interest. Additionally, the timeline for creating interagency data standards might delay the bill's intended benefits.
Accountability and Reporting: The absence of enforcement measures in the reporting requirements weakens accountability, risking insufficient progress tracking.
Privacy and Data Protection: The bill does not address how personal data collected during public comments will be protected, raising privacy concerns.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the bill promises more transparency and access to important information about federal waterways, enhancing recreational opportunities and awareness of restrictions. The digitization of data could streamline planning for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hiking by providing clear information on access and rules.
However, the potential delay in creating data standards and the administrative burden of keeping information up to date might limit the timely availability of accurate data, hindering the Act’s ability to deliver immediate benefits. Additionally, unresolved privacy issues surrounding public comments might deter some from participating in feedback initiatives.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Agencies: Agencies will face the challenge of integrating new standards and managing additional data-related responsibilities. This could lead to increased workloads and the need for additional resources that are not specified in the bill.
Private Sector and Third-Party Providers: Partnerships with private companies and third-party providers present opportunities for involvement in government data projects. However, the lack of clarity in partnership criteria raises the risk of perceived favoritism, calling for transparent selection processes to avert conflicts of interest.
Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts and Conservationists: These groups stand to gain comprehensive access to updated recreational and regulatory information, aiding in the preservation and enjoyment of natural resources. While the potential benefits are significant, the effectiveness of these improvements will depend on the timely and accurate implementation of the bill's provisions.
Tribal and State Agencies: The bill encourages collaboration with these agencies, promoting a more integrated approach to resource management. Yet, the roles and responsibilities among numerous stakeholders need clear definition to avoid jurisdictional confusion and ensure effective cooperation.
In conclusion, while the MAPWaters Act has the potential to modernize access to data on federal waterways significantly, several key issues need addressing to ensure that it fulfills its objectives effectively and equitably. The bill will require precise implementation strategies and robust oversight mechanisms to maximize its positive impact on all stakeholders involved.
Issues
The definition of 'Federal fishing restriction' lacks criteria for determining whether a restriction is permanent or temporary, which could lead to confusion or misinterpretation by stakeholders. (Section 2)
There is potential ambiguity and administrative burden due to the undefined funding sources and costs associated with the digitization and publication requirements for Federal waterway data, which might impact the practicality and sustainability of these efforts. (Section 4)
The specification of a 30-month timeline to develop and adopt interagency standards might be lengthy given the urgency of efficiently managing Federal waterways, which could delay potential benefits to the public. (Section 3)
Exclusivity in partnerships, including possible favoritism towards private sector partners, could raise concerns about conflicts of interest if the broad discretion allowed under 'Cooperation and coordination' is not adequately managed. (Section 5)
The lack of specific actions or consequences should the Secretaries fail to meet reporting requirements underlines a potential gap in accountability. Without enforcement measures, progress may not be reliably tracked or ensured. (Section 6)
Stakeholders might face confusion due to the inclusion of vague terms like 'experts' and 'applicable Federal databases,' necessitating clearer definitions or guidelines to prevent inconsistencies in execution and collaboration. (Sections 3 and 5)
Privacy concerns may arise due to the absence of protocols for protecting personal data collected during public comments, which could lead to the misuse or unauthorized sharing of sensitive information. (Section 4)
There may be overlooked collaborative opportunities or incomplete stakeholder engagement due to the omission of roles for other relevant agencies or organizations apart from the ones listed, which could affect the effectiveness of data standardization and publication efforts. (Section 3)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The MAPWaters Act stands for the "Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act." It is the official short title of the legislative act.
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for key terms used in the Act, such as: Federal fishing restriction, which refers to areas where fishing is limited or banned by federal authorities; Federal land or water management agency, listing agencies like the National Park Service and Forest Service; Federal waterway, meaning water bodies under federal management; Federal waterway restriction, indicating limitations on using federal waterways; Secretaries, referring to certain government officials including the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior; and State, meaning any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories and possessions.
3. Interagency data standardization Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Secretaries to work together with the Federal Geographic Data Committee to create and adopt standards for sharing geospatial data related to public access and fishing restrictions on federal waterways. They must complete this task within 30 months of the Act being enacted.
4. Data consolidation and publication Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires federal authorities to digitize and share online data about various federal waterway aspects, such as restrictions, access points, navigation details, and fishing regulations, within four years, while updating the information regularly and allowing public feedback. It excludes irrigation canals and ensures sensitive historical or archaeological data is not disclosed.
5. Cooperation and coordination Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section allows the Secretaries to work with state and tribal natural resource agencies, technology and geospatial data companies, and experts in data science. They can also partner with third parties and the United States Geological Survey to manage data collection and distribution under the Act, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and Tribal regulations.
6. Reports Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that the Secretaries must submit a report each year for the next decade, starting no later than one year after the law is enacted, detailing their progress in fulfilling the law's requirements. The report is to be sent to specific committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
7. Effect Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section clarifies that the Act does not change how "navigable waters" are defined under Federal law, nor does it affect the authority of State or Federal agencies to manage these waters or fisheries. It also ensures that it does not restrict access to waters for activities like hunting and fishing at the time the Act becomes law.