Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act

I want to thank the gentleman for yielding.

I would like to thank Ranking Member Grijalva and Chairman Bishop and their staffs for working to bring this

bill to the committee and to the floor today. I would like to thank my good friend, Congressman Courtney of Connecticut, who has been an outstanding partner in this effort. I would also like to thank all of those back in Rhode Island who have worked to bring this bill to fruition, including the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, Save the Bay, The Nature Conservancy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

Mr. Speaker, the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act proposes a study of segments of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in Rhode Island and Connecticut for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Rhode Island and Connecticut have long been outstanding stewards of these rivers, so I hope the passage and completion of this study will affirm what we who live near these rivers already know, which is that they possess outstanding recreational, natural, and historical qualities that make them worthy of the designation of ``Wild and Scenic Rivers.''

As a nation, we are privileged to have access to a diverse system of wilderness areas, not only in the remote expanses of our country but also close to home--in our backyard wilderness. The rivers of the Wood- Pawcatuck watershed are within a 45-minute drive for every Rhode Islander, easily accessible for family outings and school field trips. The people of Rhode Island and Connecticut have long enjoyed the recreational and scenic wealth of the Wood-Pawcatuck, and we are eager to share this natural treasure with the rest of New England and the Nation.

These rivers are not only an important part of our national heritage; they are a critical part of our economy, which relies on the health of our waters. The Wood-Pawcatuck watershed offers diverse destinations for tourism, which is a vital industry to Rhode Island and Connecticut, and these rivers offer exceptional trout fishing, canoeing, photography, and bird watching opportunities, with adjacent hiking and camping our for sportsmen. Accordingly, the study will not only review the special character of the river, but it will fully engage with local government, landowners, and businesses to recognize the existing commercial and recreational activities on or adjacent to the watershed.

With that, Mr. Speaker, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act offers the best guarantee that the Wood-Pawcatuck will be here for future generations to enjoy. The passage of this study is an important first step along that path. The rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed contain outstanding recreational, scenic, and natural heritage qualities that would be an excellent addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this bill.

Again, I want to thank the members of the committee, especially the chair and the ranking member, for bringing the bill to the floor, and I thank Mr. Hastings and also Mr. Sablan for their assistance with this as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act. I also want to thank my colleague, Congressman Jim Langevin, for his unyielding efforts to introduce, promote and advance this important legislation.

As you know, the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act would initiate an important first step to potential National Wild and Scenic River designation for portions of the Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Launching a study by the National Parks Service, this legislation could help to verify the outstanding beauty, abundant fisheries, and historic character that these free-flowing rivers currently provide our local communities and put this designated area on a path towards greater preservation.

Connecticut and Rhode Island are home to some of the most diverse habitats and natural resources, including the lands and waters of the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed. As stewards of this pristine 300 square mile area, it is our responsibility to ensure that these natural habitats are preserved and protected for generations to come. Our communities in Connecticut and Rhode Island have joined together to help protect this outstanding resource and preserve the area's biological diversity as well as its seemingly unlimited recreational opportunities. The relationship between the continued health of our local communities and the continued health of these waters is one that cannot and should not be overlooked.

The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association and the Nature Conservancy have done an outstanding job advocating for the need and passage of this legislation, garnering the support of every town in the surrounding areas. It is evident that this locally-driven priority would benefit greatly from the public-private partnership that the Wild and Scenic designation entails, and I encourage this body to look favorably on this legislation so that a study for potential designation can begin.

I urge my colleagues to cast a vote in favor of H.R. 3388, the Wood- Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3388) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 3388, authored by our colleague from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), would authorize the study of 86 miles of rivers in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island for a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The Natural Resources Committee amended the legislation to specifically require that the study consider any potential limitations on existing uses and any impacts to private property that could occur with an eventual designation. These are important protections and are necessary for this study bill to move forward. With that, it is a good piece of legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the author of this legislation, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

(Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I advise my friend from the Northern Marianas that I have no more requests for time, and I'm prepared to close if he is.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, this is good legislation, and I urge its adoption.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

This legislation authorizes the National Park Service to study roughly 86 miles of rivers in Connecticut and Rhode Island for possible designation as Wild and Scenic Rivers.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers program currently protects the free- flowing condition of more than 12,000 miles of rivers in 38 States. Unfortunately, this is less than 1 quarter of 1 percent of the rivers in the United States. In contrast, more than 75,000 large dams restrict the flow of roughly 600,000 miles of river. This is about 17 percent of the river miles in this country.

Mr. Langevin is to be commended for his hard work on behalf of his constituents and the natural resources within his State.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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