MAPWaters Act of 2025

The MAPWaters Act of 2025 proposes to modernize how the public accesses information about federal waterways. If enacted, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior would be required to create uniform standards for collecting and sharing digital map data. This initiative aims to provide outdoor enthusiasts with clearer information regarding where they can legally navigate, boat, and fish on federal lands.

Under the proposal, these agencies would have five years to digitize and host online geographic information system (GIS) data. This would include specific details on waterway access points, navigation rules, and federal fishing restrictions. To ensure the information remains useful, the bill would require the government to update navigation data twice a year and update fishing regulations in real time as changes occur.

For everyday citizens, this bill would likely make it easier to plan trips and follow local rules by replacing fragmented or paper-based records with a centralized digital system. The legislation also proposes a feedback process, allowing the public to submit questions or comments directly to federal agencies regarding the accuracy and clarity of the waterway data provided.