[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 41 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     THE RIVER AND WATERSHED PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 1994

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today, I have introduced legislation to 
create a national river and watershed registry. My bill, the River and 
Watershed Protection and Restoration Act of 1994, has been cosponsored 
by Representatives Elizabeth Furse, Albert Wynn, Mike Kopetski, Peter 
DeFazio, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Dale Kildee, John Olver, Charlie Rose, 
and Dan Hamburg.
  In creating a national river and watershed registry my legislation 
will establish a national policy to: First, protect the relatively 
undisturbed components of our riverine systems and restore those that 
may be more disturbed; second, provide better river and watershed 
management mechanisms; third, foster the involvement of local 
communities and citizens to develop their own locally specific 
protection and restoration strategies; and fourth, identify new 
opportunities for economic revitalization.
  This legislation would establish a nomination process which would 
allow State agencies, Indian tribes, watershed councils, and local 
conservation organizations to nominate rivers or watersheds for 
inclusion in the national registry. The nomination process will be 
entirely voluntary, however, and the bill does not authorize Federal 
land acquisition, condemnation or land use control. The bill does not 
modify existing regulatory authorities of local, State, and Federal 
agencies.
  I am especially proud that this legislation recognizes the unique 
needs and capabilities of Native American peoples. By establishing 
Native American tribes as equals under the provisions of the bill, we 
will ensure that rivers and watersheds on tribal land receive the same 
attention as other areas throughout the country.
  Current law provides some measures for protection and restoration in 
both the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Clean Water Act. I strongly 
believe that both of these statutes help to protect and preserve our 
precious natural resources. Rather than replace the effectiveness of 
these current provisions, my legislation complements them by utilizing 
local solutions for river and watershed protection and restoration:
  The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides protection for high quality 
rivers that are largely federally managed. My legislation allows for 
restoration of all rivers and emphasizes the need to protect entire 
rivers and watersheds, well beyond riverbeds and adjacent riparian 
areas.
  The Clean Water Act is primarily a Federal and State regulatory 
program controlling pollution discharge into surface water. My 
legislation is not a regulatory approach to conserving rivers and 
watersheds. Instead, it is a planning, local cooperation and financial 
incentive driven approach to river protection that is entirely 
voluntary.
  The River and Watershed Protection and Restoration Act is needed now 
because rivers and streams need more help than existing laws provide. 
Nearly one-third of the Nation's waters do not meet State water quality 
standards. More than one-third of all North American fish species are 
classified by the Nature Conservancy as rare, imperiled, critically 
imperiled, extinct, or near extinction.
  Recognizing these threats, the River and Watershed Protection and 
Restoration Act has been endorsed by the Pacific Rivers Council, Trout 
Unlimited, American Rivers, River Network, River Federation, and 
American Whitewater Affiliation. In addition, local river conservation 
groups across the country are lining up in support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not pretend that the River and Watershed Protection 
and Restoration Act will singlehandedly restore the health of all 
America's rivers. I do know that it will provide river conservationists 
and local citizens with the ability to utilize a Federal program to 
directly benefit their own local conservation efforts.
  The intent of this legislation is not to create a new class of 
bureaucrats in Washington. That will not help clean up our rivers or 
provide enjoyment of our precious natural resources for future 
generations. Instead, this legislation will empower local citizens to 
protect and restore rivers and watersheds for future generations.
  As Congress works to address local problems, I believe it is 
important that we begin to find ways to allow local citizens to utilize 
local-based solutions to solve river and watershed protection and 
restoration problems. Local citizens know their river best, understand 
their potential and will work to restore them. The River and Watershed 
Protection and Restoration Act provides the mechanisms for these 
solutions. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________