{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-legislation-improve-recreation-access-federal", "Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s Legislation to Improve Recreation Access to Federal Waterways Considered in House Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing", "2023-11-14", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters (MAPWaters) Act was considered in a hearing held by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildfire, and Fisheries. Introduced alongside Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), this bill would improve the standardization, consolidation, and public availability of data related to public outdoor recreational use of federal waterways and allow outdoor recreationalists the most up-to-date information when exploring the many natural wonders throughout Utah and across the country. Senators Barrasso (R-WY) and King (D-ME) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n\"Utah is home to just under 2,000 miles of federal waterways, and Americans from coast to coast travel to the Beehive State to enjoy our beautiful waters,\u201d said Congressman Moore. \u201cLast Congress, we worked hard to pass the MAPLand Act to digitize outdoor access data to help Americans more easily recreate on our nation's public lands. Now, we're building on this effort by introducing the MAPWaters Act to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities on our nation's federal waterways. By modernizing water access data and breaking down barriers to public and private sector cooperation, we can once again pass commonsense legislation to ensure responsible stewardship of our public lands and waters in Utah and across the nation.\"\n\n\u201cIn Michigan, our waterways are an integral part of our lives, and countless Americans benefit from the Great Lakes, one of nation\u2019s greatest natural treasures,\u201d said Congresswoman Dingell. \u201cAs a rising number of people seek outdoor recreation opportunities, the MAPWaters Act will modernize the way we share mapping and access data for federal waterways and help ensure federal agencies have the necessary tools and resources to promote sustainable access to our waters while preserving these sites for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\"This bipartisan legislation will follow the successful MAPLand Act by digitizing water and fishing access for the public,\" Congressman Fulcher said. \"Thank you to Rep. Blake Moore for his lead on the MAPWaters Act and to work with Reps. Dingell and Panetta.\"\n\n\u201cOutdoor recreationists looking to enjoy California\u2019s 19th Congressional District\u2019s more than 2,360 miles of streams and 99 lakes too often lack clear information on watercraft restrictions and fishing regulations,\u201d said Congressman Panetta. \u201cThe bipartisan MAPWaters Act would help standardize and digitize this information for boaters and anglers alike for a more user-friendly experience. I am proud to build on the work of last Congress with this legislation that would ensure everyone can safely and responsibly enjoy our public lands and waters.\u201d\n\nThe Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act includes key provisions, including:\n\nRequiring the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to develop interagency standards for data collection and dissemination related to federal waterways and fishing restrictions within 30 days of enactment; and\n\nRequiring the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to publish online Geographic Information System data on federal waterways and fishing restrictions within four years.\n\n\"Knowing where to go fishing and what you can do when you get there is basic information all anglers need for a successful day on the water. The MAPWaters Act will standardize and simplify information for anglers to access and use waters managed by federal agencies, including decontamination requirements to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. We look forward to this bill becoming law and helping to better inform anglers who fish on public waters.\u201d \u2013 Lindsay Slater, Vice President of Government Affairs, Trout Unlimited\n\n\u201cThe MAPWaters Act will give Americans the confidence they need to partake in water-based recreation opportunities by directing federal agencies to clarify the complex rules of public waterways into accessible data in geospatial form. This common-sense legislation will help recreationists stay safe and legal while enjoying the great outdoors.\u201d \u2013 Whit Fosburgh, President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership\n\n\u201cThe MAPWaters Act will make spatial information on fishing and boating regulations more accessible, ensuring anglers can stay up-to-date with changing rules and restrictions. By standardizing and digitizing information on federal waterways, MAPWaters will provide improved information on fishing piers, boat ramps, and access points, helping America\u2019s 54.5 million anglers find new fishing spots. We thank Representatives Moore, Panetta, Fulcher, and Dingell for their leadership on this bill.\u201d\u2013 Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association\n\n\u201cEven for something as simple as fishing or boating on federal public waters, it can sometimes be challenging to know how you can access those waters and what equipment you can use. The MAPWaters legislation will create a one-stop-shop for providing anglers and boaters with the information they need to access federally-managed waters with confidence. We sincerely thank Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Caucus Member Representative Blake Moore for championing this much needed legislation.\u201d \u2013 Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation\n\n\u201cAccess to water is just as important to hunters, anglers, and other outdoor recreationists as access to land. Yet, regulations regarding water access are even more complex. Having water access information and regulations publicly available in a digital format is critical for communicating intended water use for responsible access and protecting aquatic species and their habitats. Through the MAPWaters Act, we can help empower the outdoor community to not only enjoy our nation\u2019s vast waterways, but also recreate responsibly.\u201d \u2013 Laura Orvidas, CEO of onX\n\n\u201cImproved national mapping data from federal agencies about watercraft restrictions and fishing regulations will help outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, and other water users discover and access new recreational opportunities. For the benefit of millions of American anglers, we support this bill and encourage Congress to advance the MAPWaters Act into law.\u201d \u2013 Zachary Pope, Founder of TroutRoutes\n\n\u201cEven for something as simple as fishing or boating on federal public waters, it can sometimes be challenging to know how you can access those waters and what equipment you can use. The MAPWaters legislation will create a one-stop-shop for providing anglers and boaters with the information they need to access federally-managed waters with confidence. We sincerely thank Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Caucus (CSC) Member Rep. Blake Moore, Rep. Fulcher, CSC Co-Chair Rep. Panetta, and CSC Member Rep. Dingell for championing this much needed legislation.\u201d \u2013 Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation\n\n\u201cAccess to our public waters is a critical component for anglers across the United States. The MAPWaters Act would modernize and standardize important data for recreating on those public waters, making information on regulations and opportunities publicly available. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers applauds Representative Moore for his leadership on this innovative legislation that will help anglers get on the water.\u201d \u2013 Kaden McArthur, Government Relations Manager, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-legislation-improve-recreation-access-federal"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6501730531454086, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}