👁️ #HR187 Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 has been published as officially passed by the House 📜!

📖 Summary: The Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 aims to standardize, consolidate, and publish data related to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies. It mandates the digitization and online availability of geographic information system (GIS) data concerning Federal waterway restrictions, access, navigation, and fishing restrictions, to enhance public access and recreational opportunities.

🤞 Intention: The bill seeks to improve public access to Federal waterways and enhance recreational opportunities for citizens by providing clear and accessible information about waterway restrictions and access points.
  
⚔️ Threats: 
 · Potential for increased government oversight and regulation of recreational activities on Federal waterways, which may infringe on individual liberties and the right to access public lands.
 · The bill does not address the potential for misuse of the data collected, which could lead to increased surveillance or restrictions on personal freedoms in the name of regulation.

🛡️ Protections: 
 · Enhances transparency by requiring the publication of data related to Federal waterway access and restrictions, thereby empowering citizens with information.
 · Promotes public engagement by allowing citizens to submit questions or comments regarding the information provided, fostering a participatory governance approach.

🙂 Winners:
 · Recreational users of Federal waterways who will benefit from improved access to information regarding waterway restrictions and access points.
 · Federal agencies involved in the management of waterways, as they will receive additional funding and authority to implement the provisions of the bill.

☹️ Losers:
 · Individuals who may face increased restrictions on their recreational activities due to the potential for more stringent regulations based on the data collected.
 · Taxpayers who may bear the cost of implementing the provisions of the bill without a clear assessment of its necessity or efficiency.

🤖 Recommendations: 
 · Include explicit protections against the misuse of data collected under this act to prevent surveillance or unwarranted restrictions on personal freedoms.
 · Limit the scope of regulations that can be imposed based on the data collected to ensure that individual liberties are not infringed upon.

📋 Published: 2025-01-21 Source:
#HR187