S. 446 · In committee · Public Lands and Natural Resources

A bill to prohibit Big Cypress National Preserve from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rick Scott (R-FL)

What it does

• Prohibits the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
• Covers a freshwater swamp ecosystem of 729,000 acres managed by the National Park Service.
• Keeps the area under preserve rules, which typically allow some development activities such as hunting or oil and gas exploration that wilderness areas bar.

Official summary

This bill prohibits the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The National Park Service currently manages Big Cypress National Preserve, which is a freshwater swamp ecosystem of 729,000 acres. In general, development activities, commercial activities, permanent structures, and roads are prohibited in wilderness areas. In contrast, natural preserves typically allow some development activities, such as hunting or oil and gas exploration.

Latest action

Feb 4, 2026: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably and an amendment to the title.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources