MAPWaters Act of 2025
MAPWaters Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# MAPWaters Act of 2025 Summary **What It Does** The MAPWaters Act, signed into law in 2025, requires the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior to create a unified, standardized system for collecting and sharing information about public access to federal waterways. The agencies must develop common data standards so their databases work together seamlessly, then digitize and publish this information online for public use.
Within five years, people should be able to easily find maps and details about where they can fish, boat, or otherwise recreate on federal waters, as well as any restrictions that apply. **Who It Affects** This law primarily benefits outdoor enthusiasts—anglers, boaters, kayakers, and others who want to access federal waterways for recreation. It also affects the Forest Service and Department of the Interior, which must coordinate their efforts and invest time and resources into standardizing their data systems. Hunters and fishers will have clearer information about where they can legally fish and hunt. **Current Status** The bill has already been signed into law and is in effect, meaning the agencies are now required to meet the five-year deadline to have all the geographic data digitized and publicly available online.
CRS Official Summary
Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 or the MAPWaters Act of 2025This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to public's access to federal waterways for recreational use.Specifically, the Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for data collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to public outdoor recreational access of federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to collection and dissemination of such data.Within five years, the Forest Service and Interior must also digitize and make publicly available online certain geographic information system data about (1) federal waterway restrictions, (2) federal waterway access and navigation information, and (3) federal fishing restrictions. They must also update the data about waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information at least twice per year. Data about fishing restrictions must be updated in real time as changes go into effect. Finally, the Forest Service and Interior must develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data regarding waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information.
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-62.