Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
The bill mandates that within 31 months of its enactment, the Secretary must create these data standards, and further requires that by four years post-enactment, related geographic information system data is accessible through a public website. This initiative is expected to facilitate better public knowledge about fishing regulations and access, thereby enhancing recreational use of waterways and promoting responsible fishing within federal jurisdictions. It aims to empower users with up-to-date information regarding access, boating restrictions, and restrictions related to fishing activities.
SB3889, officially titled the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act, aims to enhance the management of federal waterways by establishing a framework for the standardization, publication, and accessibility of data related to public outdoor recreational use. This bill outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce in developing data standards for collecting and disseminating geospatial information related to federal waterways and fishing restriction areas. The captured data is intended to be made available online for public access, contributing to improved transparency for activities on federal waterways.
While the bill appears beneficial for recreational users, it also carries implications for existing regulations governing federal waterways. By emphasizing data standardization and accessibility, critics have raised concerns regarding how this might alter existing regulations or jurisdictional authority of state agencies. The language of the bill includes stipulations that maintain current regulations and clarify that it should not modify the jurisdiction of federal or state agencies over navigable waters, potentially addressing concerns about local autonomy in regulating water usage and fishing activities.