Bipartisan MAPWaters Act is Headed to the President’s Desk

Senators Barrasso and King’s legislation will standardize, consolidate, and publish the digital data related to public recreation on America’s federal waterways.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Angus King (I-ME) praised the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing their bipartisanMAPWaters Act. Thelegislationwill standardize, consolidate, and publish the digital data related to public recreation on America’s federal waterways.
TheMAPWaters Actwas passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2025. It now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“Today is a great day for all Americans who enjoy recreating on our federal lands and public waterways,”said Senator Barrasso. “Wyoming is home to more than 108,000 miles of rivers, and countless more lakes, ponds, and streams that help create our state’s unique system of waterways. The bipartisanMAPWaters Actwill ensure the most accurate information is available and easily accessible to everyone who visits our federal lands. Sportsmen and women who enjoy Wyoming’s waters will benefit from access to up-to-date data of this wonderful resource.”
“Maine people across the state, and Americans across the country, enjoy recreating on federal waterways like those in Acadia National Park,”said Senator King, Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “The bipartisanMAPWaters Actwould combine all the available information about federal waterways into a one-stop resource containing information about recreation and navigation that you can hold in the palm of your hand. This legislation ensures that every person seeking adventure in Maine’s federal waterways can do so safely and responsibly.”
Information about access to federal waterways, including restrictions on boating, commercial and sport fishing, and seasonal or tidal depth changes, can be difficult or impossible to access in a timely and convenient fashion. TheMAPWaters Actwill synthesize this important data, allowing the private sector to create products like smartphone applications to inform the public.
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