A new Senate bill, nicknamed the “Big Brother Bill” by advocacy groups, could change how Mainers experience some of the state’s most treasured public lands — and that’s why hunters, anglers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts should pay attention.
Senate Bill 2967, formally titled the Border Lands Conservation Act, was introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, R‑Utah, on Oct. 2.
The bill gives the Department of Homeland Security and federal land management agencies authority to install certain infrastructure — including roads, barriers and surveillance equipment on federal lands that directly share a boundary with the U.S. northern or southern border.
It also allows the use of motor vehicles, aircraft and other tactical means on covered wilderness lands along the border to enforce border security.
The legislation requires federal agencies to inventory roads and trails on these lands and mandates reporting to Congress on environmental and visitor impacts.
Because Maine shares a border with Canada, only federal lands that physically touch the international boundary could fall under the bill’s provisions — primarily the portions of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge that directly abut the line.
Other popular recreational lands cited in advocacy emails, including Acadia National Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, do not share a border with Canada and therefore are not considered “covered federal land” under the bill’s text.
Groups often cite well-known parks to make the issue more relatable and to encourage public attention, even though the legislation applies only to border-adjoining units, not all lands within 100 miles of the border.
The bill requires agencies to inventory trails and roads and report on environmental and visitor impacts, but it does not explicitly restrict hunting, fishing or other recreational activities. Still, outdoor users could notice more traffic, surveillance equipment and restricted areas, which may affect the quality and solitude of their visits.
In a press release, the American Hunters & Anglers Action Network (AHA) said the bill would “weaponize” all federal lands within 100 miles of the border and allow federal agents to secretly monitor law-abiding hunters and anglers.
While the bill does authorize certain surveillance and infrastructure, AHA’s broad claim reflects its interpretation of potential impacts, not the literal scope of the bill, which applies only to lands that directly border Canada or Mexico.
S. 2967 has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and has not yet been scheduled for hearings or a vote.
Eight senators, all Republicans, are cosponsors. No immediate changes to Maine’s public lands are expected, and any action on the bill could take months or longer.
What this means for Maine outdoor enthusiasts: border-adjacent lands like Moosehorn could see new infrastructure, increased monitoring and potential changes to how people hunt, fish or explore, even though access remains legal. Keeping an eye on the bill’s progress is the best way for Mainers to protect the wilderness experience they value.
