CivicIndex

Federal Policy

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Federal lands policy covers national parks, national forests, BLM lands, mining claims, grazing rights, wilderness designations, and water rights. The federal government owns about 28% of U.S. land — disproportionately concentrated in Western states — making this politically intense.

Committees with jurisdiction

  • House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
  • Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology

Members who specialize in this area

Leadership

Committee members

57 more members on jurisdictional committees not shown.

Recent bills in this area

  • HR. 8913 — Tulare Youth Recreation and Women’s History Enhancement Act

    Sponsor:
    David G. Valadao · Republican · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

  • HR. 8454 — To provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes.

    Sponsor:
    Tom McClintock · Republican · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

  • HR. 8121 — To designate the Christiansted Bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as the "Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand".

    Sponsor:
    Stacey E. Plaskett · Democratic · VI
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

  • HR. 7254 — To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail, and for other purposes.

    Sponsor:
    Jared Huffman · Democratic · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

  • S. 1547 — America the Beautiful Act

    Latest action:
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 439.

  • HR. 8686 — To amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve certain public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

    Sponsor:
    Paul A. Gosar · Republican · AZ
    Latest action:
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

  • HR. 3937 — Wabeno Economic Development Act

    Sponsor:
    Thomas P. Tiffany · Republican · WI
    Latest action:
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  • S. 4720 — Protecting U.S. Fishers from Illegal Foreign Flags Act of 2026

    Latest action:
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Frequently asked

Which agency manages federal lands?

The Bureau of Land Management manages multiple-use lands. The Forest Service (in USDA) manages national forests. The National Park Service runs the parks. The Fish and Wildlife Service handles wildlife refuges. Each has different statutory authority.