[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   CONCURRING IN SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 2815, FARMINGTON WILD AND 
                            SCENIC RIVER ACT

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the 
Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2815) to designate a portion of the 
Farmington River in Connecticut as a component of the National Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Page 4, strike out lines 4 to 23 and insert:
       (6) the Colebrook Dam and Goodwin Dam hydroelectric 
     projects are located outside the river segment designated by 
     section 3, and based on the study of the Farmington River 
     pursuant to Public Law 99-590, continuation of the existing 
     operation of these projects as presently configured, 
     including associated transmission lines and other existing 
     project works, is compatible with the designation made by 
     section 3 and will not unreasonably diminish the scenic, 
     recreational, and fish and wildlife values of the segment 
     designated by such section as of the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       Page 6, strike out lines 2 to 4 insert:
       (a) Committee.--The Director of the National Park Service, 
     or his or her designee, shall represent the Secretary on the 
     Farmington River Coordinating Committee provided for in the 
     plan.
       Page 6, line 5, strike out all after ``Role.--'' down to 
     and including ``(2)'' in line 15 and insert: (1)
       Page 7, line 7, strike out ``(3)'' and insert ``(2)''.
       Page 7, line 10, strike out ``(4)'' and insert ``(3)''.
       Page 7, line 21, strike out ``Director'' and insert 
     ``Secretary''.
       Page 8, strike out lines 23, and 24.
       Page 9, line 1, strike out ``(3)'' and insert ``(2)''.
       Page 9, line 7, strike out ``(4)'' and insert ``(3)''.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota [Mr. Vento] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Allard] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento].


                             general leave

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 2815, and the Senate amendments thereto.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2815 is a bill introduced by Representative Johnson 
of Connecticut and cosponsored by the entire delegation from that 
State, including our colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, Mr. 
Gejdenson.
  It would designate a segment of the Farmington River, in Connecticut, 
as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
  The House passed H.R. 2815 back in March. More recently, the Senate 
returned the bill to us with some amendments that make minor revisions 
to one finding and clarify the role of the National Park Service in 
connection with the local coordinating committee provided for in the 
bill. After a review, we have concluded that the bill as amended by the 
Senate remains completely consistent with the original purpose and 
intent of the House-passed bill, as explained in the report of the 
Natural Recourse Committee.
  Therefore, we are seeking to concur in the Senate amendments and send 
the bill to President Clinton for signature into law.
  The gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Johnson] should be 
congratulated for her hard work and leadership on this matter. This is 
a good bill that deserves enactment, and I urge the House to concur in 
the Senate's minor amendments, and send the bill to the President.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2815 as amended by the Senate. 
This legislation, which has been fully explained by Chairman Vento, 
already passed the House by voice vote several months ago.
  I would like to commend the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. 
Johnson] for her hard work on this legislation affecting her district. 
I believe she has worked nearly 8 years trying to broker a compromise 
with the many diverse groups along the Farmington River.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2815.
  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 2815 and commend the Committee on Natural Resources for bringing 
this legislation to closure.
  It has been a long road for this bill, Mr. Speaker, and this glorious 
day would not have been possible without broad local support of my 
constituents, the 17-member Farmington River Advisory Committee, the 
local Watershed Association, the Metropolitan District Commission, the 
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and the National 
Park Service.
  With today's action, this bill is cleared for the President's 
signature.
  But, more notably for my constituents back home, we will at long last 
have a federally recognized natural asset protected for all time in an 
area that my western colleagues might not consider wild but would 
surely honor as scenic. Further, I want to underscore the precedent-
setting nature of this bill, Mr. Speaker, because it gives hope to 
other people who wish to protect remarkable rivers in relatively 
densely populated areas of America, and particularly, New England.
  As I have noted in earlier remarks, this legislation develops a new 
model for the governance of wild and scenic rivers. The goals of our 
Federal preservation program will be achieved through cooperative 
efforts that honor the tradition of local power that is embodied in our 
town meeting form of government. This new model will enable many New 
England areas to participate in the Federal preservation effort 
embodied in our Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
  I deeply appreciate the committee's work and especially thank the 
chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Vento, and its ranking member, Mr. 
Hansen, for their tireless efforts to bring a complex process to 
conclusion.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, we are considering today a bill to 
protect one of Connecticut's most treasured resources--the Farmington 
River. This bill, sponsored by my good friend, Mrs. Johnson and 
supported by all of us in the Connecticut delegation, will protect 14 
miles of the west branch of the Farmington River by including it in the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
  A wild and scenic designation is the only protection that can 
permanently guarantee that no federally licensed or funded water 
project be allowed to harm the river. It will protect the waterway's 
fisheries, wildlife, and recreation potential, and contribute 
significantly to our enjoyment of the river.
  Today's legislation will not only protect the Farmington River, but 
has the potential to help rivers nationwide. The bill contains 
important language to promote local autonomy and self-determination, 
which will help local governments settle the sometimes difficult issues 
which arise during consideration of preservation status.
  This local stewardship approach states that the Federal Government 
cannot pursue land acquisition or management, ensuring that local 
authorities will retain significant influence. This can be particularly 
important when rivers abut private property. It is an important 
distinction which should contribute to greater preservation efforts.
  This legislation is the result of cooperation among many different 
parties--Governor Weicker, the Connecticut Department of Environmental 
Protection, the Metropolitan District Commission, the Farmington River 
Watershed Association, and local municipal authorities. Many people 
have worked together on this project--this bill is testimony to their 
efforts and to the merits of their project.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague, Mrs. Johnson, for 
her hard work and encourage this Chamber to quickly pass this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] that the House suspended the rules 
and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 2815.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were 
concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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