H.R. 8924 – Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026

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Updated June 3, 2026 at 9:51 AM UTC

The Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026 would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to have the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey studied for possible designation as a Wild and Scenic River. The study would cover the Mullica River and a number of its tributaries, and the results would be reported to Congress. This would affect land and water management in the listed river segments within the watershed.

Key Provisions

Adds the Mullica River watershed—including the Mullica River, Wading River, Batsto River, and many named tributaries—to the list of river segments that may be studied for Wild and Scenic River designation.
Specifies the exact portions of each river and tributary to be included in the study.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to complete the study within three years after funding is made available and to submit a report of the findings to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

May 20, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 20, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

May 20, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 20, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8924

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 20, 2026

Mr. Conaway (for himself and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for study for potential designation as a wild and scenic river, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026.

2.

Designation of Mullica River watershed for study for potential designation as wild and scenic river

(a)

Designation

Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(147)

Mullica River watershed, New Jersey

The segments of the Mullica River, Wading River, Batsto River, and the tributaries of each such river within the Mullica River watershed, including the following segments:

(A)

Mullica River from its headwaters to Great Bay.

(B)

Alquatka Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(C)

Albertson Brook from its headwaters to its confluence with Nescochague Creek.

(D)

Great Swamp Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Nescochague Creek.

(E)

Nescochague Creek from its confluence with Albertson Brook to its confluence with Mullica River.

(F)

Pine Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(G)

Landing Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(H)

Nacote Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(I)

Bass River from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(J)

Ballinger Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(K)

Roberts Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Skit Branch.

(L)

Skit Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Batsto River.

(M)

Batsto River from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.

(N)

Springers Brook from its headwaters to its confluence with Batsto River.

(O)

Deep Run from its headwaters to its confluence with Springers Brook.

(P)

Penn Swamp Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Batsto River.

(Q)

Tulpehocken Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with West Branch Wading River.

(R)

West Branch Wading River from its headwaters to its confluence with Wading River.

(S)

Hospitality Brook from Hog Wallow Bogs to its confluence with West Branch Wading River.

(T)

Little Hauken Run from Hog Wallow Bogs to its confluence with Hospitality Brook.

(U)

Oswego River from its headwaters to its confluence with West Branch Wading River and Wading River.

(V)

Beaver Run from its headwaters to its confluence with Wading River.

(W)

Wading River from its confluence with West Branch Wading River and Oswego River to its confluence with Mullica River.

.

(b)

Study and report

Section 5(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(24)

Mullica River watershed, New Jersey

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 paragraph (147) of subsection (a); and

(B)

submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the results of the study.

.