Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

        [Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1307 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1307

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 25, 2006

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate portions of the
Musconetcong River in the State of New Jersey as a component of the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation and
consultation with appropriate Federal, State, regional, and
local agencies, is conducting a study of the eligibility and
suitability of the Musconetcong River in the State of New
Jersey for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
(2) The Musconetcong Wild and Scenic River Study Task Force
has prepared, with assistance from the National Park Service, a
river management plan for the study area entitled
``Musconetcong River Management Plan'' and dated April 2003,
which establishes goals and actions that will ensure long-term
protection of the outstanding values of the river and
compatible management of land and water resources associated
with the river.
(3) Thirteen municipalities and three counties along
segments of the Musconetcong River eligible for designation
have passed resolutions supporting the Musconetcong River
Management Plan, agreeing to take action to implement the goals
of the plan, and endorsing designation of the river.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF PORTIONS OF MUSCONETCONG RIVER, NEW JERSEY, AS
SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL RIVERS.

(a) Designation.--Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
(16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(167) Musconetcong River, New Jersey.--(A) The 24.2 miles of
river segments in New Jersey, to be administered by the Secretary of
the Interior, consisting of--
``(i) the segment from Saxton Falls to the Route 46 bridge
(approximately 3.5 miles), as a scenic river; and
``(ii) the segment from the Kings Highway bridge to the
railroad tunnels at Musconetcong Gorge (approximately 20.7
miles), as a recreational river.
``(B) Notwithstanding section 10(c), the river segments referred to
in subparagraph (A) shall not be administered as part of the National
Park System.''.
(b) Management of Segments.--
(1) Compliance with management plan.--The Secretary of the
Interior shall manage the segments of the Musconetcong River,
New Jersey, designated as a scenic river or recreational river
by the amendment made by subsection (a) in accordance with the
river management plan entitled ``Musconetcong River Management
Plan'' and dated April 2002, prepared by the Musconetcong River
Management Committee, the National Park Service, the Heritage
Conservancy, and the Musconetcong Watershed Association, which
establishes goals and actions that will ensure long-term
protection of the outstanding values of the river segments and
compatible management of land and water resources associated
with the river segments.
(2) Cooperation.--The Secretary shall manage the river
segments in cooperation with appropriate Federal, State,
regional, and local agencies, including--
(A) the Musconetcong River Management Committee;
(B) the Musconetcong Watershed Association;
(C) the Heritage Conservancy;
(D) the National Park Service; and
(E) the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection.
(c) Satisfaction of Requirements for Plan.--The management plan
shall be considered to satisfy the requirements for a comprehensive
management plan for the river segments under subsection 3(d) of the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(d)).
(d) Federal Role.--
(1) Restrictions on water resource projects.--In
determining under section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act (16 U.S.C. 1278(a)) whether a proposed water resources
project would have a direct and adverse effect on the values
for which a river segment is designated as part of the Wild and
Scenic Rivers System, the Secretary shall consider the extent
to which the project is consistent with the management plan.
(2) Cooperative agreements.--Any cooperative agreements
entered into under section 10(e) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(e)) relating to a river segment--
(A) shall be consistent with the management plan;
and
(B) may include provisions for financial or other
assistance from the United States to facilitate the
long-term protection, conservation, and enhancement of
the river segment.
(3) Support for implementation.--The Secretary may provide
technical assistance, staff support, and funding to assist in
the implementation of the management plan.
(e) Land Management.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide planning,
financial, and technical assistance to local municipalities and
non-profit organizations to assist in the implementation of
actions to protect the natural and historic resources of the
river segments.
(2) Plan requirements.--After adoption of recommendations
made in section IV of the management plan, the zoning
ordinances of the municipalities bordering the segments shall
be considered to satisfy the standards and requirements under
section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C.
1277(c)).
(f) Designation of Additional River Segment.--
(1) Finding.--Congress finds that the Musconetcong River
segment ``C'', as described in the management plan, is suitable
for designation as a recreational river pursuant to this
subsection if the Secretary determines that there is adequate
local support for the designation.
(2) Designation and administration.--If the Secretary
determines that there is adequate local support for designating
the additional river segment as a recreational river--
(A) the Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register a notice of the designation of the segment;
(B) the segment shall thereby be designated as a
recreational river in accordance with the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.); and
(C) the Secretary shall administer the additional
river segment as a recreational river.
(3) Criteria for local support.--In determining whether
there is adequate local support for the designation of the
additional river segment, the Secretary shall consider, among
other things, the preferences of local governments expressed in
resolutions concerning designation of the segment.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such funds as are necessary to carry out this section,
including the amendment to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act made by this
section.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Additional river segment.--The term ``additional river
segment'' means Musconetcong River segment ``C'', as described
in the management plan, from Hughesville Mill to the Delaware
River Confluence (approximately 4.3 miles).
(2) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the river management plan entitled ``Musconetcong River
Management Plan'' and dated April 2002.
(3) River segments.--The term ``river segments'' means the
segments of the Musconetcong River, New Jersey, designated as a
scenic river or recreational river by the amendment made by
subsection (a) in accordance with the management plan.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.

Passed the House of Representatives July 24, 2006.

Attest:

KAREN L. HAAS,

Clerk.