II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2324 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 19, 2012 Mrs. Hutchison 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 a segment of the Neches River in the State of Texas for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Upper Neches River Wild and Scenic Study Act.

2.

Potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System

(a)

In general

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: (141)

Neches river, texas

The approximately 225-mile segment of the main stem of the Neches River from the dam forming Lake Palestine in Anderson and Cherokee Counties to the flood pool elevation of B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir in Jasper and Tyler Counties, Texas. . (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: (20)

Neches river, texas

(A)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall— (i)complete the study of the portion of the Neches River described in subsection (a)(141) (referred to in this paragraph as the study area); and (ii)submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study. (B)

Private property and recreation

Nothing in subsection (a)(141) (or the subsequent inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System of the study area)— (i)authorizes the involuntary taking or condemnation of private property in the study area; (ii)authorizes the infringement on the rights of private property owners in the study area; (iii)imposes additional regulations or restrictions on the use and enjoyment of private property in the study area; (iv)affects access to the study area for recreational activities otherwise allowed by law in the study area, including hunting, fishing, trapping, or boating; or (v)affects the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the State of Texas with respect to the management, control, or regulation of fish and resident wildlife under State law (including regulations) in the study area, including the regulation of hunting, fishing, and trapping. (C)

Conservation practices

(i)

In general

Established conservation practices shall be encouraged on a voluntary basis within the study area. (ii)

Agreements

Agreements for conservation initiatives in the study may be entered into on a voluntary basis. .