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Updated March 23, 2023 The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres, more than a quarter of the land in the United States. Four agencies--the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), [...]

Updated March 30, 2023 Congress created a new authority for the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation, part of the Department of the Interior) to build new water storage projects in Section [...]

February 16, 2023 Contents What Is Sea (Ocean) Mining? What Minerals Could Be Obtained by Sea Mining? How Does Sea Mining Differ from Land-Based Mining? What Is the International Framework [...]

Updated August 24, 2021 For decades, Congress has authorized and modified federal programs to help communities address water supply and water infrastructure needs, including both wastewater and drinking water. Departments [...]

Updated August 16, 2021 The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA; P.L. 116-152) established a new fund with mandatory spending authority to address deferred maintenance needs of five federal agencies. The [...]

Updated June 23, 2021 The U. S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is a federal executive department responsible for the administration of lands, minerals, and other resources of the United [...]

February 9, 2021 Contents Introduction Key Provisions of the ESA Addressed in This Report ESA Section 3: Definitions Conserve, Conserving, and Conservation Endangered Species Fish or Wildlife Secretary Species Take [...]

Updated February 16, 2021 Contents Introduction Federal Estate Ownership Agencies Managing Federal and Tribal Lands Agency Acquisition and Disposal Authorities Funding Issues Land and Water Conservation Fund Deferred Maintenance Federal [...]

Updated February 18, 2021 The Forest Service (FS) is responsible for managing 193 million acres of land in the National Forest System (NFS); conducting forestry research; and providing assistance to [...]

January 15, 2021 Contents Introduction Purposes of Legislated Withdrawals Legislated Withdrawal Variations Omissions Limitations Future Applicability General Considerations in Determining Meaning Analysis of Legislated Withdrawal Components Entry, Appropriation, and Disposal [...]

June 3, 2020 Guides and outfitters play a role in facilitating recreational use of the country's public lands. Congress routinely considers issues related to these service providers, often in the [...]

June 3, 2020 Commercial guides and outfitters provide visitors to federal lands with a wide range of outdoor recreational and educational opportunities, such as river rafting, horseback trips, and hiking [...]

Updated December 6, 2019 Contents Wilderness Designations and Prohibited and Permitted Uses. Nonconforming Uses or Conditions Debate Surrounding Wilderness Designations Issues and Legislation in the 116th Congress Bills Designating Wilderness [...]

November 5, 2019 Management of lands and resources is a principal mission for four federal agencies--the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Forest Service (FS), and [...]

Updated June 13, 2019 The National Park Service (NPS) administers the National Park System, which includes 419 units valued for their natural, cultural, and recreational importance and covers 85 million [...]

December 12, 2018 Since the 1990s, concerns have grown about sea lion predation on Columbia River salmon and steelhead (salmonids). Management of these species has been complicated by requirements to [...]

Updated July 27, 2018 In the 115th Congress, both chambers have continued efforts to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA; 16 U.S.C. [section][section]1801 et seq.). The MSA [...]

Updated February 21, 2018 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (P.L. 115-97), enacted in December 2017, included provisions establishing an oil and gas program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [...]

Updated August 28, 2017 Contents Introduction Data Information and Caveats BLM Livestock Grazing Data FS Livestock Grazing Data Discussion Figures Figure 1. Livestock Operators and Grazing Permits/Leases on BLM Land, [...]

Updated November 19, 2015 Contents What Are the Park Titles? What Do the Titles Mean? Type and Size of Resource A Part of the National Park System? Authority to Establish [...]

Updated July 6, 2015 Congress and other policymakers are faced with how to cost-effectively reduce coastal flood risk. Issues include how to coordinate action and assign responsibilities for preparedness, mitigation, [...]

March 18, 2015 Background The Delaware River Basin drains the lands surrounding the Delaware River and its tributaries, which stretch from the Catskill Mountains in New York to the Delaware [...]

Updated July 13, 2007 Summary Fish and marine mammals are important resources in open ocean and nearshore coastal areas; many federal laws and regulations guide their management. Bills to reauthorize […]

July 7, 2006 Summary One part of the energy debate is whether to approve energy development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeastern Alaska, and if so, under […]