Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act

Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act, I rise in strong support of this very important bill.

Connecticut is fortunate to be the home of the Farmington River, which hosts a wealth of natural beauty, a variety of wildlife, and a cultural past important to our state, region, and Nation. In 1994, Congress recognized the upper section of the Farmington--a 14 mile-long stretch that runs from the base of the Goodwin Dam in Hartland to the downstream border of Canton and New Hartford, as Wild and Scenic. As a federally protected river segment, the natural splendor and resources of

the Upper Farmington have been managed cooperatively on the local, state and federal level for over a decade. Regrettably, Salmon Brook, a major tributary, and the Lower Farmington that runs 40 miles from Canton to its confluence with the Connecticut River in Windsor do not share the same federal protection. Continued threats to the river's water quality reinforce the urgent need for a collaborative effort to preserve the unique character of both the Upper and Lower Farmington, as well as Salmon Brook, for present and future generations.

The Lower Farmington is a rare natural, cultural and recreational area for the people of the First District and throughout the entire state of Connecticut. The river's free-flowing waters support a rich ecological system and serves as the habitat for diverse fish species, including the American shad and the Atlantic salmon. The River is also home to trout, river otter and bald eagle populations. Since the 1600s, the River has prominently been featured in our state history, from the Tunxis Native American tribes who settled on its shores to the mills and dams that sprung up as part of the Industrial Revolution. Today, people from across Connecticut can enjoy the majestic views of the river along the Farmington River Trail--a former railroad line that when completed will run 26 miles along the shores of the Farmington.

Since 1968, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System has protected the Nation's most valuable rivers. Through this system, rivers that possess remarkable scenic, recreational, natural, and cultural values are preserved in their free-flowing condition and are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Designated rivers are afforded the federal protection necessary to maintain their resources and character.

The Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act is the first significant step towards designating the Lower Farmington in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I urge my colleagues to join me in ensuring the environmental and historic preservation of these waterways by supporting the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi); and I thank the gentlewoman from Guam for her concurrence in moving this study forward; and I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), chairman of the Resources Committee, for allowing this matter to come to the floor of the House early in the week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1344, the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act. This important legislation builds on the designation of the west branch of the Farmington River which I initiated in 1994. The bill commissions a feasibility study to evaluate whether the lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook qualify as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River within the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The lower Farmington is defined as a 40-mile stretch between the lower Collinsville Dam in Burlington and the Rainbow Dam in Windsor in the Fifth and First Congressional Districts.

The Farmington River and Salmon Brook's recreational and environmental contributions to our State are well-known and must be protected for future generations. The 14 miles of the Farmington River's West Branch, designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River in 1994, is a resounding environmental and economic success. Partnership designation for the West Branch has fostered public-private partnerships to preserve the area's environment and heritage, while yielding the economic benefits to river towns.

The West Branch of the river is home to trout, river otter and bald eagle populations; and historic structures still grace its banks. Fishermen, hikers, canoeists and kayakers enjoy the river and its banks year-round. In addition, a 2003 study by North Carolina State University found that partnership designation resulted in millions in economic activity and increased property values in the river towns of Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Hartland, and New Hartford.

I hope to see the rest of the Farmington River, as well as Salmon Brook, enjoy similar success. This new initiative is an ideal way to extend that protection and showcase the river's unique cultural and recreational resources, including native American archaeological sites and the Farmington River Canal remnants.

The Lower Farmington also offers recreational opportunities and has been the site of U.S. Olympic Team white water slalom trials. Additionally, the river is home to native brook trout and the slimy sculpin, two fish species only found in areas of high-quality water.

The study of the river is an essential step forward in the designation process. With its strong bipartisan support, I also would like to thank the Resources Committee for bringing this bill forward. I encourage my colleagues to support the legislation.

I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 435,

the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2005. Once passed, the bill will designate a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I would like to thank the chairman of the Resources Committee, Mr. Pombo, for bringing this legislation to the floor and for working with me to ensure that this important study can commence promptly.

The bill commissions a feasibility study to evaluate whether the Lower Farmington River and the Salmon Brook qualify as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River within the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Lower Farmington River is defined as the 40- mile stretch between the end of the west branch of the Farmington River in Canton, Connecticut, and the Rainbow Dam in Windsor, and the Salmon Brook, an additional 32-mile stretch in the top 12 in the State of Connecticut for diversity of aquatic insects it hosts. The study area crosses both the Fifth and First Congressional Districts. The Farmington River and Salmon Brook's recreational and environmental contributions to our State are well-known and a valuable resource for future generations.

The 14 miles of the Farmington River's west branch, designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River in 1994, is a resounding environmental and economic success story. Partnership designation for the west branch has fostered public-private partnerships to preserve the area's environment and heritage while yielding economic benefits to river towns. Its designation has preserved it as a home to trout, river otter, and bald eagle populations; and historic structures still grace its banks. Fishermen, hikers, canoeists, and kayakers enjoy the river year-round.

I hope to see the rest of the Farmington River, as well as Salmon Brook, enjoy similar success. This new initiative is a an ideal way to showcase the whole river's unique cultural and recreational resources. The direct economic impact of the final designation is estimated at $3 million and an additional $9 million in total economic impact from recreational users.

This legislation has broad bipartisan support at the local, State, and Federal level, and I urge my colleagues' support for the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1344) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1344, introduced by the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) and amended by the House Resources Committee would designate a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic River Systems.

I urge adoption of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 435) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Farmington River and Salmon Brook in the State of Connecticut for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume

Mr. Speaker, Senate 435, introduced by Senator Lieberman of Connecticut and a companion to H.R. 1344 sponsored by our colleague Nancy Johnson, would study a segment of Farmington River and Salmon Brook in Connecticut for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System.

I urge adoption of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.