[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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