[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
REPORT ON MAURICE AND MANUMUSKIN RIVER AND MENANTICO CREEK IN THE STATE 
     OF NEW JERSEY--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message 
from the President of the United States; which was read and, together 
with the accompanying papers, without objection, referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources:

To the Congress of the United States:
  I take pleasure in transmitting the enclosed report on the Maurice 
and Manumuskin River and Menantico Creek in the State of New Jersey. 
The report and my recommendations are in response to the provisions of 
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Public Law 90-452, as amended. The 
study of the Maurice River and these two tributaries was authorized by 
Public Law 100-33, approved on May 7, 1987.
  The study of the Maurice River and tributaries was conducted by a 
task force composed of representatives of affected municipalities, 
State and Federal agencies, organizations with river-related interests, 
and local residents under the leadership of the National Park Service 
(NPS). The NPS, together with the task force, identified the 
outstandingly remarkable resources within the study area, analyzed 
existing levels of protection for these values, investigated major 
issues and public concerns, assessed the attitude of riparian 
landowners, reviewed and analyzed the impact of existing and potential 
development, and developed alternative plans and management strategies.
  The NPS determined that 42.4 miles of the Maurice River and its 
tributaries are eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. This is based upon their free-flowing condition and 
fish, wildlife, and vegetative values. There are also important 
cultural values and surface water quality of the Manumuskin and 
Menantico is very good.
  In accordance with the wishes of local government, the NPS did not 
consider Federal land acquisition or management as an alternative for 
protecting river resources. Instead, the study focused on assisting the 
political subdivisions in developing and adopting local measures for 
providing resource protection where existing protection had been 
inadequate.
  Due to strong local and congressional support, the 103d Congress 
proceeded to designation without waiting for submittal of the required 
report and Presidential recommendation. While a Presidential 
recommendation is now moot, I am submitting the report to fulfill the 
requirements of section 4(a) and sections 5(a)(96) through 5(a)(98) of 
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, February 3, 1994.

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