H.R. 187 explained · 119th Congress · Became law
MAPWaters Act of 2025
Cosponsors: 3 (2 D, 1 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-09
Introduced: 2025-01-03
Latest action (2025-12-26): Became Public Law No: 119-62.
What H.R. 187 does, in plain terms
Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 This act directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to the public's access to federal waterways for recreational use. (Sec. 3) 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. (Sec. 4) 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. The Forest Service and Interior must also 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. The requirements under this section do not apply to irrigation canals and flowage easements. (Sec. 5) To carry out the act, the Forest Service and Interior may (1) coordinate and partner with nonfederal agencies, private entities, and nonprofit partners; and (2) enter into agreements with third parties. The Forest Service and Interior may work with the U.S. Geological Survey to collect, aggregate, digitize, standardize, and publish data on their behalf. (Sec. 6) The Forest Service and Interior must annually report to specified congressional committees on their progress in meeting the requirements of this act.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Constitutionally sound
Graded 2026-10-09
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
The MAPWaters Act is a constitutional exercise of Congress's authority over federal lands and waters. It directs federal agencies to standardize and publish data about public recreational access to federal waterways, which burdens no constitutional right and takes no private property. It is a transparency and administrative coordination measure that operates within federal jurisdiction and does not improperly consolidate state or local authority.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
Congress has express authority over federal lands and waters under the Property Clause, Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, and over navigable waters under the Commerce Clause, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. Directing the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to digitize and publish data about federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions is a valid exercise of federal authority ove… -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
The act imposes no restriction on speech, press, religion, assembly, petition, the right to keep and bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, or any other provision of the Bill of Rights. It enhances public access to information and does not implicate criminal procedure, quartering, takings, or cruel and unusual punishment. No amendment is infringed. -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
The act restricts no individual's control over their person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It only requires federal agencies to publish existing data about public access to federal waterways. If anything, it expands individual knowledge and recreational opportunity. The government's action here is non-coercive with respect to private citizens. -
✓ Passes · Decentralization
This action does not improperly consolidate decision-making upward. The data concerns federal waterways, federal restrictions, and federal agency records, so an individual, family, local community, or state cannot independently provide a complete, authoritative, interoperable dataset for federal lands and waters. The federal government is the appropriate level because it owns and manages the water… -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
The act does not deprive anyone of life, liberty, or property without due process, nor does it take private property for public use without just compensation. Publishing government-held geospatial data about federal waterways is not an adjudicative act requiring notice or a hearing. There is no Fifth Amendment due process or takings violation.
Sources: Congress.gov: HR 187 summary
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