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.
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Committee
Latest Action · June 18, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The Public Access Protection Act requires the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate how water resources development projects will affect public recreational areas and to create plans preserving access during construction. The bill applies to Corps projects that impact parks, trails, green spaces, waterways, and other public recreation sites. When recommending a project, the Secretary of the Army must include a plan to maintain equivalent levels of recreational access throughout construction, minimize temporary disruptions, and provide alternative access where needed to ensure the public can continue using these amenities. The legislation expresses Congress's sense that agencies should coordinate with affected communities to balance infrastructure development with public recreation needs. No specific funding or timeline is provided in the bill, which directs the Corps to implement these requirements "to the maximum extent practicable" as part of their feasibility studies and project recommendations.
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