[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11214-H11216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WEKIVA RIVER, SEMINOLE CREEK, AND ROCK SPRINGS RUN, FL, NATIONAL WILD
AND SCENIC RIVERS SYSTEM STUDY
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill
[[Page H11215]]
(H.R. 3155) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by designating the
Wekiva River, Seminole Creek, and Rock Springs Run in the State of
Florida for study and potential addition to the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3155
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL DESIGNATION.
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 new
paragraph:
``( ) Wekiva River, Florida.--(A) The entire river.
``(B) The Seminole Creek tributary.
``(C) The Rock Springs Run tributary.''.
SEC. 2. 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 new
paragraph:
``( ) The study of the Wekiva River and the tributaries
designated in paragraph ( ) of subsection (a) shall be
completed and the report transmitted to Congress not later
than two years after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah [Mr. Hansen] and the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr.
Faleomavaega] each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen].
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial bill, introduced
by our colleague, Mr. McCollum, which authorizes the administration to
conduct a study to determine if the Wekiva River in Florida should be
designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic River Act. The
river has rich biological diversity, and is already protected under
Florida State law. The State of Florida supports protection of this
river so strongly that it has already acquired 20,000 acres for
preservation purposes along its shores. This legislation will enhance
efforts already undertaken at the State and local level.
The legislation is supported by the administration which has been
listed on the National Park Service's nationwide river inventory for
potential study.
The bill directs the administration to complete their study in 2
years. The administration normally takes 3 years to complete wild and
scenic river studies, but in this case, where so much is known about
the river, that length of time is unnecessary. I know of no objections
to this legislation and encourage all Members to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3155 amends the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act by designating the Wekiva River and its tributaries in the
State of Florida for study and potential addition to the National Wild
and Scenic Rivers System. The administration testified in favor of the
measure and we also understand that there is local support for such a
study. The information to be gained from such a study should be helpful
in providing for the care and use of these river resources. As such we
have no objection to H.R. 3155, and I ask my colleagues to support this
legislation.
I want to commend the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] for
introducing this bill and again thank members of the Committee from
both sides of the aisle for their support of this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to add that this bill directs the
administration to complete their study in 2 years. The administration
normally takes 3 years to complete wild and scenic river studies, but
in this case there is so much known about this river the length of time
is unnecessary.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida [Mr.
McCollum], the sponsor of the bill.
Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are now considering
H.R. 3155, a bill to designate the Wekiva River, Seminole Creek, and
Rock Springs Run in central Florida for study and potential addition to
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Naturally, I think this is
a good bill and would like to express my gratitude for the work done by
the Committee on Resources and the Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests and Lands. I would like to personally thank my good friends and
colleagues Chairman Young and Chairman Hansen, as well as their
knowledgeable, helpful staff for their efforts.
The Wekiva River Basin provides historical, recreational, and
educational opportunities for residents and visitors. The area is rich
in natural resources, and once provided a home for prehistoric
inhabitants. Eleven archaeologic sites associated with various Native
American cultures have been identified. The location of the Wekiva
River also allows for the study of a diverse ecosystem and hosts a
variety of flora and fauna, including several threatened species such
as the West Indian manatee, the American bald eagle, and the Florida
black bear. The Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run are also host to over
300,000 visitors a year. The river and the springs which feed into the
basin provide visitors with opportunities for canoeing, swimming,
fishing, hiking, and horseback riding along nature trails.
I am sure that the Wekiva more than qualifies for the designation of
a National Wild and Scenic River. As someone who literally lives down
the street from the river, I can personally attest to its delicate
beauty and value that should be preserved. The river and its major
tributaries are already designated as Outstanding Florida Waters and a
State Wild and Scenic River, and the State of Florida has identified
the land around the Wekiva as a priority for preservation. A national
designation, should it follow after the study, would prohibit Federal
agencies from altering, or granting a permit to alter, the natural flow
of the river. These protections would ensure that the river remains a
source of enjoyment and education for future generations.
Additionally, a Federal designation would be consistent with State
policy, which has already recognized the importance of this river. The
Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has
said that passage of this legislation would be a ``great example of
local, State, and Federal governments, environmental organizations, and
community leaders partnering for increased protection of one Florida's
greatest nature treasures.''
Mr. Speaker, my bill has bipartisan support, and I have received
assurances that the appropriate State agencies will work with the
Department of the Interior to help expedite this study as much as
possible. I believe the time has come for the Federal Government to
consider making one of central Florida's treasures, the Wekiva River, a
National Wild and Scenic River. I urge an ``aye'' vote.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida [Mr. Mica].
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Utah
for yielding this time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from
Florida [Mr. McCollum] as a cosponsor of this legislation, and I want
to salute his leadership. Mr. McCollum had the opportunity to represent
this area before I came to Congress, and now, as my colleagues heard,
lives close to the Wekiva River, and he has taken this step which
really will do two things: first, the scenic designation which is so
important; and also a second step will be to allow us to review what is
going on with this river to see that it can be preserved and restored
if necessary, for future generations.
So this is a piece of legislation that has a great deal of meaning
for the gentleman for Florida [Mr. McCollum] and also myself. I am
privileged to represent the 7th Congressional District of Florida, and
that is the great growing area from Orlando to Daytona Beach which is
just mushrooming since I was elected to Congress. We have two new
cities in my district just in 3-plus years. So this area is being
encroached upon by development and by other factors, and we do need to
take a close
[[Page H11216]]
look at what we are doing in this natural reserve and preserve area.
I am also pleased and want to thank particularly Secretary Babbitt,
the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Regula, Senator Mack, and others who have
assisted us in trying to connect the Ocala National Forest with the
Wekiva Estate Park and acquire 18,000 acres along this area. This
Congress has done more than anyone in the history that I know of, of
the State or the Congress, in preserving that area which will connect
the national forests with the State park and also with the scenic
designation do a great deal in preserving an incredibly beautiful area
for future generations.
So again I am pleased to join the gentleman from Florida [Mr.
McCollum]. I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this and others,
and I urge my colleagues to pass this very productive legislation.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] for
his comments, and also as the chief sponsor of this piece of
legislation. I am sure that the good residents of his district as well
as the good people of Florida will benefit from this piece of
legislation when it is passed.
Again in the spirit of bipartisanship on this committee I would like
to thank him, and certainly also the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Mica]
for his support, and again I ask my colleagues that we support this
piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 3155, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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