Empowering Local Management, Expanding Public Access and Conserving America’s Historic Legacy
Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on bills to strengthen local management of public lands, expand recreational access, and recognize important pieces of America’s historic legacy. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) issued the following statement in response:
“It is the responsibility of this Subcommittee to consider reasonable proposals that right-size federal designations and provide greater access to our public lands. Today, we thoroughly examined several pieces of legislation that would provide practical solutions to our nation’s land management challenges.”
Background
H.R. 642, the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), designates 34 miles of Florida’s Myakka River as a Partnership Wild and Scenic River.
H.R. 5470, the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), designates the 2,400-mile Route 66 corridor as a National Historic Trail ahead of its 100th anniversary.
H.R. 6788, the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Troy Downing (R-Mont.), releases approximately 104,000 acres of public land in Montana back to multiple use that federal agencies have determined are unsuitable for wilderness designation, providing greater flexibility for public access, recreation, habitat management and wildfire mitigation.
H.R. 10128, introduced by U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), codifies the Interior Secretary’s Order 3434 to strengthen the partnerships between national parks and gateway communities and ensure local communities have a voice in planning and management decisions affecting access, tourism, and economic activity.
H.R. 10136, the Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026, introduced by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), directs the transfer of the Crossett Experimental Forest to the State of Arkansas to continue its nearly century-long legacy of forestry research, education and demonstration in coordination with the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
H.R. 9269, the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), reauthorizes the African American Civil Rights Network for an additional 10 years.
H.R. 9600, the Common Sense 250 Act of 2026, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), authorizes the Thomas Paine Memorial to be located within Area I on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
H.R. 9779, the Hands Off Our Boca Chica Beach Act of 2026, introduced by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), formally names “Boca Chica Beach” in Texas and requires federal references to use that name.
S. 675, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), honors the life and legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt by authorizing matching grants and assistance to support the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota.
For more information on the hearing, click here.Legal Disclaimer:
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