S. 4595Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026

Sponsored by Andy KimSen. Andy Kim (D-NJ)
Introduced May 20, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated May 29, 2026 at 7:11 AM UTC

The bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to place the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey on the list of river segments to be studied for possible wild and scenic designation. It identifies specific rivers and tributaries within the watershed for the study. The Interior Secretary must complete the study within three years after funding is available and report the results to the House and Senate natural‑resources committees. This affects the Mullica River watershed and any future protection decisions for those waters.

Key Provisions

  • Adds the Mullica River watershed, including the listed rivers and tributaries, to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as segments to be studied for potential designation.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Interior to finish the study no later than three years after funds are made available.
  • Requires the Secretary to submit a report of the study’s findings to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

July 21, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 20, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

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

May 20, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

July 21, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 20, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4595

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 20, 2026

Mr. Kim (for himself and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.

.