June 18, 2026
Ms. Friedman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To require the Secretary of the Army to include in any final recommendation for a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers a plan to maintain equivalent levels of access to existing public recreational amenities, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Public Access Protection Act
.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that, during construction of a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers that affects a public recreational amenity, including a park, a trail, a green space, a recreational waterway, and any other public open space, the Secretary of the Army should—
(1)
maintain an equivalent level of recreational access to such public recreational amenity;
(2)
minimize temporary disruptions to such access through project planning and coordination with affected communities; and
(3)
provide alternative public access where necessary to ensure continued recreational opportunities for the duration of such construction.
Sec. 3. Recreational access preservation plan
To the maximum extent practicable, in carrying out a feasibility study for a water resources development project of the Corps of Engineers, the Secretary shall—
(1)
review the potential impact of construction of the project on existing public recreational amenities, including facilities for hiking, biking, walking, and waterborne recreation; and
(2)
include in any final recommendation for such project a plan to maintain an equivalent level of access to such amenities during construction of the project.