Contact Congress about H.R. 3604: Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

National parks would phase out many throwaway plastic items when they can do so safely. That includes bottled water, plastic bags, food containers, and foam products. Parks would also teach visitors where to find drinking water and check the program every two years.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Reducing Waste in National Parks Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Latest action on H.R. 3604: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people who visit national parks, park businesses, and National Park Service staff. Visitors may need reusable bottles or containers more often. Businesses that sell food, drinks, or supplies in parks may need to change what they sell. Park staff may need to add water refill stations, update signs, monitor visitor safety, and track how well the program works.

Why this matters: This bill could change what visitors can buy and use inside national parks. It aims to reduce plastic waste while keeping safe drinking water available. The tradeoff is practical: parks may need new refill stations, better signs, and careful safety checks. The results could vary because each regional director decides what is feasible for each park.

Key provisions in H.R. 3604

• The National Park Service Director must create a plastic-reduction program for all park units. The deadline is 180 days after the bill becomes law.
• Regional directors must stop parks from selling water in disposable plastic containers. They must also cut other throwaway plastic items as much as each park can reasonably do.
• Regional directors must weigh practical effects before cutting plastic items. They must look at waste reduction, operating costs, refill stations, contracts, sales revenue, and visitor safety.
• Parks that already do not sell water in disposable plastic bottles can keep that rule.
• Each park must have a clear visitor education plan. It must explain where drinking water is available and why the plastic-reduction program exists.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 3604

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 3604

What is H.R. 3604?

National parks would phase out many throwaway plastic items when they can do so safely. That includes bottled water, plastic bags, food containers, and foam products. Parks would also teach visitors where to find drinking water and check the program every two years.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 3604?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 3604?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 3604 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.