I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 167 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 6, 2009 Mr. Rodriguez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to modify the boundary of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River Extension Act of 2009.

2.

Rio Grande wild and scenic river boundary adjustment

Paragraph (17) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended to read as follows: (17)

Rio Grande, Texas

(A)

In general

The segment on the United States side of the river from the west boundary of Big Bend National Park, located at approximately river mile 902.2, downstream to the river mile 651.1 at the Terrell-Val Verde County line; to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. (B)

Map

The segment described in subparagraph (A) is depicted on the map relating to the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River titled Proposed Wild & Scenic River Addition, numbered 192/80,001, and dated March 1, 2007. (C)

Boundary

The Secretary shall, within two years after the date of enactment of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River Extension Act of 2009, take such action with respect to the segment referred to in this paragraph as is provided for under subsection (b). The action required by subsection (b) shall be undertaken by the Secretary, after consultation with the United States Commissioner, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, and appropriate officials of the State of Texas and its political subdivisions. The development plan required by subsection (b) shall be construed to be a general management plan only for the United States side of the river and shall include, but not be limited to, the establishment of a detailed boundary which shall include an average of not more than 160 acres per mile. (D)

Treaties and agreements

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to be in conflict with— (i)the commitments or agreements of the United States made by or in pursuance of the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed at Washington, February 1944 (59 Stat. 1219), or (ii)the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding maintenance of the Rio Grande and Colorado River as the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, signed November 23, 1970. (E)

No effect on border fence and the border patrol

Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent or obstruct the planning, construction, operation, or maintenance of a border fence in the area described in subparagraph (A), and nothing in this paragraph shall affect the operations or duties in such area of the Department of Homeland Security, including the Border Patrol, or of State or local law enforcement agencies. .