This week on The Wild Line, we’re tracking a lawsuit challenging alleged censorship within the National Park Service, looming federal water cuts on the Colorado River, debate over the stalled Farm Bill, proposed management changes to Montana’s Flathead River, and final public comments on a controversial visitor plan for Cumberland Island National Seashore.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for context, analysis, and what to watch next.

Lawsuit Challenges Changes to National Park Interpretation

A coalition of conservation and historic preservation organizations led by the National Parks Conservation Association has filed suit over directives that would remove or alter historically and scientifically accurate material at multiple park sites.

The changes stem from an executive order directing federal agencies to eliminate what it calls “improper partisan ideology” and “divisive narratives.” Reported revisions include interpretive material related to slavery, civil rights, Indigenous history, climate change, and LGBTQ+ contributions. Critics argue the actions amount to censorship; Interior officials have described the review as an effort to ensure exhibits reflect shared national values.

The outcome of this litigation could shape how history and science are presented across the national park system. We break down what’s at stake — and what it could mean for the future of park interpretation — in this week’s episode.

Colorado River Negotiations Stall

After seven basin states failed to reach agreement on a new drought-management framework by a federal deadline, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signaled the administration may move forward with unilateral water cuts.

A draft plan from the Bureau of Reclamation outlines options that could significantly reduce water deliveries to Arizona, California, and Nevada if negotiations collapse. The Colorado River system supports roughly 40 million people, and prolonged drought has reduced flows by about 20 percent since 2000.

Without a consensus deal, the federal government now faces politically and legally complex decisions with wide-ranging implications for cities, agriculture, Tribal nations, and ecosystems across the West. We unpack the stakes and the timeline inside the episode.

Farm Bill Debate Begins in the House

The House Committee on Agriculture has announced the first steps toward passing a new Farm Bill. The previous bill expired in 2023 and has been extended multiple times.

The Farm Bill governs federal policy related to agriculture, nutrition assistance, conservation programs, watershed protection, and rural development. Last year’s budget reconciliation process included provisions typically negotiated within the Farm Bill, complicating bipartisan negotiations this cycle.

Because so many land, water, and conservation programs flow through this legislation, its path forward will be critical for public lands and stewardship priorities nationwide.

We’ll continue tracking developments as the bill moves through Congress.

Flathead River Comprehensive Management Plan Open for Comment

The Flathead National Forest, in coordination with Glacier National Park, has released a draft Comprehensive River Management Plan for the three forks of the Flathead River — encompassing 219 miles of designated Wild and Scenic River.

The North, Middle, and South Forks were designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the management plan has not been updated since the 1980s.

We hear from Sheena Pate from the Flathead Rivers Alliance on what the Comprehensive River Management Plan really represents:

It’s the guiding document to ensure that the river is really upheld to its outstanding, remarkable values, outstanding water quality, and really ensuring that this river system is similar to what it was 50 years ago and continues forward in the future.

Proposed updates include a free, unlimited permit requirement for all floaters, new regulations for managing human waste, and updated campfire restrictions in river corridors.

Rob Davies, District Ranger for the Glacier View – Hungry Horse Ranger District, shared his comments on implementation:

Implementation is going to be kind of a gradual thing, even though we think we’re going to have a final plan decision signed and a final plan maybe at the end of May…we have a float guide that was going to need a little bit of adjustment. We’re going to need signage. So all that’s going to take at least a year. So a lot of it will be implemented in 2027 especially the unlimited permit system. 

Public comments are open through March 13.

You can review the draft plan and submit comments through the Flathead National Forest website. We discuss what these changes could mean for recreation, river health, and wilderness character in today’s episode.

Final Days to Comment on Cumberland Island VUMP

Public comments are closing on proposed changes to the Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP) for Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The draft VUMP proposes expanded development, accommodations, and commercial activity on the island. Advocacy group Wild Cumberland argues the proposal is inconsistent with federal law and with congressional intent to preserve the island in a more primitive state over time.

The Wilderness Act protects opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation — values central to Cumberland Island’s designation.

Wild Cumberland has published a comment guide and interactive map outlining proposed changes. The deadline to submit comments is imminent.

Next Week

That’s our report for February 20, 2026.

We’ll be back next week with more land stories that matter.

Make sure you vote in our weekly sticker polls all month long.

Until then — Act Up and Run Wild.

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