Why It Matters
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands advanced nine bills on September 2, spanning everything from river designations to experimental forest transfers.
The measures include protections for Route 66's centennial celebration, efforts to release Montana wilderness study areas from federal restrictions, and proposals to transfer federal forest management responsibilities to states.
The Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act would release approximately 104,000 acres in three wilderness study areas in Montana. Some of those wilderness study area recommendations date back more than 30 years. The Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act would designate the roughly 2,400-mile Route 66 corridor as a national historic trail. Communities across the country are celebrating Route 66's centennial anniversary in 2026.
The Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act would federally designate 34 miles of Florida's Myakka River. Florida's Myakka River has been managed under a state wild and scenic river designation since 1985. The legislation seeks to maintain the existing state and local management framework, prohibits condemnation, and does not make the river a unit of the national park system.
The Crossett Experimental Forest Act would transfer the Crossett Experimental Forest in Southern Arkansas from the Forest Service to the state of Arkansas. The forest encompasses approximately 1,700 acres and was established in 1934. It has been the site of forestry work for more than 90 years. Research conducted there has helped foresters better understand Southern Pine Forest and develop long-term management practices.
What They're Saying
Rep. Thomas P. Tiffany chaired the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing. Fifteen witnesses testified at the hearing.
Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act
Jeff Darrah from Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife testified in support of releasing Montana's wilderness study areas. Federal land management agencies have determined that the three Montana wilderness study areas addressed by the bill are unsuitable for wilderness designation.
Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act
William Thomas from the Route 66 Ahead Partnership testified at the hearing. Route 66 legislation contains protections intended to ensure the designation does not create buffer zones, interfere with energy development, authorize condemnation, or impose new federal permitting requirements. The National Trust for Historic Preservation endorsed the bipartisan and bicameral legislative effort to designate Route 66 as a national historic trail.
Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act
Miri Hardy from the Myakka River Partnership testified at the hearing in support of the federal designation of Florida's Myakka River.
Crossett Experimental Forest Act
Bruce Westerman, a U.S. House of Representatives member, testified at the hearing. The bill emerged after the Forest Service, the state of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello have partnered for decades on forestry research at Crossett.
During the final 15 years of his career, Dr. Bragg was the only Forest Service scientist working at the Crossett Experimental Forest. Dr. Bragg passed away in 2023 along with his wife and two of his children in a house explosion. Since his passing, the Forest Service has not filled his role or dedicated the resources necessary to return Crossett to its historic level of research and demonstration activities.
Under Westerman's bill, if the forest's research mission ceases for any reason, the Forest Service would regain ownership. The state would be required to continue managing the forest for forestry research, education, and demonstration.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act
Robbie Lauf from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library testified at the hearing on S. 675, titled the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opened in North Dakota earlier in 2026.
Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act
James Clyburn, a U.S. House of Representatives member, testified at the hearing on H.R. 9269, the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act. Annie Gaylor from the Thomas Paine Memorial Association testified as well.
Banneker-Douglas-Tubman Museum
Chanel Johnson from the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Banneker-Douglas-Tubman Museum testified at the hearing.
Madera County Bill
Robert Macaulay from the Madera County Board of Supervisors provided testimony at the hearing.
Political Stakes
The Myakka River bill neared a vote after a 50-year wait. Rep. Steube led efforts on a letter to the Natural Resources Committee regarding the Myakka River.
Kyle Cunningham, the State Forester of Arkansas, has worked with the Forest Service officials to determine the best path forward for Crossett.
The Other Side
The Route 66 designation, however, included specific language to prevent buffer zones and new federal permitting requirements, addressing concerns about federal overreach.
The Hands Off Our Boca Chica Beach Act of 2026, sponsored by Rep. Gonzalez, drew support from Texas State Representative Erin Gamez, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, and SpaceX. A Texas Supreme Court hearing in Edinburg examined whether a state law allowing beach closures for SpaceX rocket launches at Boca Chica violates Texans' constitutional right to open beach access.
On June 19, the Texas Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in favor of SpaceX and state officials. The ruling ended a five-year fight over SpaceX's authority to temporarily close Boca Chica Beach during launch operations. Boca Chica Beach is likely to close during future rocket launches by SpaceX.
What's Next
Rep. Bruce Westerman chairs the full Committee on Natural Resources.
Secretary Doug Burgum led efforts to bring the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library to North Dakota when he was governor.
House leadership includes House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of the 119th Congress, which runs through 2027.
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