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S. 608Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed Senate

Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2023

Sponsored by Edward J. MarkeySen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
Introduced March 1, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 4:11 AM UTC

The Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2023 amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate the Deerfield River, which runs through Massachusetts and Vermont, for possible inclusion in the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The study must cover the main river, its four branches, and major tributaries, and a report of the findings must be sent to Congress.

Key Provisions

  • Adds the Deerfield River (including its North, South, East, and West Branches and major tributaries such as the Green River, North River, South River, Clesson Brook, Chickley River, Cold River, Gulf Brook, Bog Brook, and Dunbar Brook) to the list of rivers to be studied under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
  • Requires the Secretary of the Interior to complete the study within three years after funding becomes available.
  • Mandates that the Secretary submit a report on the study’s results to the appropriate congressional committees.

Legislative Activity

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9 earlier actions
HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

December 19, 2024 • 6:04 PM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 1, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

March 1, 2023

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-284.

National Parks Subcommittee

June 21, 2023

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

September 21, 2023

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-151.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 9, 2024

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 303.

January 9, 2024

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7153; text: CR S7155-7156)

December 18, 2024

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 19, 2024

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

December 19, 2024 • 5:26 PM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

December 19, 2024 • 6:04 PM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 608 on the floor

1 Democrat
Richard Blumenthal
Sen. Richard BlumenthalD-CT · Dec 18, 2024

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills, en bloc: Calendar No. 276, S. 1088; Calendar No. 297, S. 1059; Calendar No.…

Record

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued December 18, 2024

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 608

AN ACT

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the Deerfield River for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2023.

2.

Designation for study; Report

Section 5 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:

(147)

Deerfield River, Massachusetts and Vermont

The entire river, including—

(A)

the North, South, East, and West Branches of the Deerfield River; and

(B)

the major tributaries of the Deerfield River, including the Green River, North River, South River, Clesson Brook, Chickley River, Cold River, Gulf Brook, Bog Brook, and Dunbar Brook.

; and

(2)

in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:

(24)

Deerfield River, Massachusetts and Vermont

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall—

(A)

complete the study described in subsection (a)(147); and

(B)

submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the results of such study.

.

Passed the Senate December 18 (legislative day, December 16), 2024.

Secretary