§6873 Data Consolidation and Publication

Summary

Within 5 years after December 26, 2025, the Secretaries must digitize and post online GIS maps and data about federal waterways, access sites, and fishing rules. The maps must show when waterways are open or closed and why (for example, inspections, decontamination, low-flying aircraft, or diving), seasonal closure dates, areas with limits on motor type, horsepower, or fuel, anchoring and no-wake or exclusion zones, travel direction rules, and what uses are allowed or banned in each area (covers things like canoes and paddlecraft, rafts, motorboats, personal watercraft, airboats, amphibious craft, hovercraft, oversnow vehicles on frozen water, oceangoing ships, swimming, and similar activities). They must also map boat ramps, portages, and fishing access sites and give their open/closed dates, and include bathymetry/depth charts when possible. For fishing, the data must show boundaries of closures and no-take zones, gear or bait limits, and catch-and-release rules. The agencies must make a way for the public to send questions or comments. Waterway and access data must be updated at least twice a year, and fishing restriction data must be updated in real time as changes take effect. The rule does not apply to irrigation canals or flowage easements. Public data must not reveal information about historic, paleontological, or archaeological sites, consistent with law.