Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4358, bipartisan legislation I introduced last July with my fellow Floridian Rep. Darren Soto, regarding the Little Manatee River. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join with us in voting in support of this bill.

The Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act authorizes the National Park Service (NPS) to study whether it's appropriate to add an approximately 51-mile-long segment of the Little Manatee River, from its source in southeastern Hillsborough County to the point at which the river enters Tampa Bay, to its Wild and Scenic River System.

For my part, I strongly support both passage of this bill today and of subsequently adding the Little Manatee River to the NPS' Wild and Scenic River program in the future. Passage of the bill before us today begins that journey and I have been very pleased to work with my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee toward realizing that goal.

Adding this river to the Wild and Scenic River program in the future will help ensure the Little Manatee will remain available for a full range of recreational activities for Floridians, like canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing.

In Florida, protecting our precious natural resources has always been a top priority. Florida's Suncoast is blessed with an abundance of natural treasures like Sarasota Bay, Emerson Point Preserve and Myakka River State Park.

I want all of my colleagues to know that adding the Little Manatee River to the Wild and Scenic River program enjoys strong local support as well. Both the Hillsborough County Commission and the Manatee County Commission have approved resolutions supporting this designation.

Of particular note, Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Stacy White has been a leader in the effort to add the Little Manatee River to the Wild and Scenic River program. He has been a champion of this effort from day one and an invaluable partner for me in my efforts at the federal level.

Protecting and enhancing water quality for all of Southwest Florida has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress.

Approving this bill today will move us forward in our efforts to help ensure a vibrant, clean and healthy environment in my home state of Florida. It's both an important element in our quality of life and a vital part of our economic well-being because millions of people visit Florida every year.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the bipartisan leadership of the Natural Resources Committee for working with me to bring H.R. 4358 to the floor today.

Again, I urge all of my colleagues in the House to join with me in voting for this bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4358) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Little Manatee River as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the item under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4358, the Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act, offered by our colleague from Florida, Representative Buchanan.

The bill will formally designate an approximately 51-mile segment of the Little Manatee River in Florida as a national scenic river.

Beginning at its source in southeastern Hillsborough County, the Little Manatee River flows downstream into Tampa Bay.

The river is one of the most pristine blackwater rivers in Southwest Florida and is designated as an outstanding Florida water.

Like all other wild and scenic rivers throughout the country, this bill will protect the river for public enjoyment without the fear of intrusive development.

The bill ensures the river remains available for full a range of recreational activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing.

Designating the Little Manatee River as a Scenic River will ensure that it continues to be enjoyed by future generations of Floridians and visitors of all stripes.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Alabama, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4358, the Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act. This bill, sponsored by my colleague from Florida, Representative Vern Buchanan, would authorize a study of the Little Manatee River in Florida to consider its inclusion as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System.

The Little Manatee River, which has been designated an Outstanding Florida Water, transitions from a 10- to 20-food-wide creek flowing through an ash and oak floodplain forest to a 300-foot-wide tide- influenced river flowing through tidal marsh that empties into Tampa Bay.

The bill contains important provisions protecting private property rights that ensure that study cannot be used as a justification for new restrictive management practices unless Congress acts to officially designate the river as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System at a future date.

This bill is locally supported, and I commend Representative Buchanan for his work on this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 2 of House Resolution 1361, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 1433, H.R. 4009, H.R. 4358, H.R. 6265, H.R. 6846, H.R. 7240, H.R. 7338, H.R. 8453, H.R. 8503, and H.R. 8520; and agree to H. Res. 558.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.