Gateway Communities Cooperation Act

The Gateway Communities Cooperation Act (H.R. 1014) aims to improve communication and coordination between federal land management agencies and the "gateway communities" that border national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The bill requires agencies like the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service to involve local government and tribal officials early in the process of developing land use plans, transportation projects, and management policies that significantly impact the local area.

For residents of these communities, the bill provides a more direct voice in federal decisions that affect their local economy, infrastructure, and environment. It authorizes federal agencies to provide technical training to local officials, share personnel to help align local and federal land-use goals, and offer grants to smaller towns (populations under 10,000) to help them participate effectively in the planning process. By fostering these partnerships, the bill seeks to ensure that federal land management is more compatible with the needs and planning of the surrounding local communities.