[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12464-S12465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           OMNIBUS PARKS BILL

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act, which was adopted 
unanimously by the Senate. This legislation contains numerous 
provisions affecting 41 States to preserve and protect our Nation's 
scenic rivers and historic land areas. I am pleased that, after many 
days of negotiations, we have reached agreement on this important 
environmental legislation.
  Included in this comprehensive package is legislation that Senator 
Gregg and I introduced on August 10, 1995, to designate the Lamprey 
River in New Hampshire as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System. The Lamprey Wild and Scenic River Act, S. 1174, will designate 
an 11.5-mile segment of the Lamprey River as wild and scenic. Following 
introduction, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a 
hearing on the Lamprey bill, which was later approved unanimously by 
the committee.
  The history of this legislation goes back almost 5 years when Senator 
Rudman and I introduced the Lamprey River study bill in February 1991, 
which was signed into law by President Bush later that year. Once the 
National Park Service determined the

[[Page S12465]]

Lamprey River's eligibility for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System, a local advisory committee was formed to work with local 
communities, landowners, the National Park Service, and New Hampshire's 
Environment Department in preparing a comprehensive management plan. 
This management plan was completed in January 1995.
  The Lamprey River management plan was subsequently endorsed by the 
advisory committee as well as the local governments affected by this 
designation. The primary criteria for my sponsorship of this 
legislation was the support of the local communities. After the towns 
of Lee, Durham, and Newmarket all voted in favor of this designation, 
it received my enthusiastic support.
  The Lamprey River is well deserving of this designation for a number 
of reasons. Not only is the river listed on the 1982 National Park 
Service's inventory of outstanding rivers, but it has almost been 
recognized by the State of New Hampshire as the ``most important 
coastal river for anadromous fish in the State.'' Herring, shad, and 
salmon are among the anadromous species found in the river. In fact, 
New Hampshire fishing maps describe the Lamprey as ``a truly 
exceptional river offering a vast variety of fishing. It contains every 
type of stream and river fish you could expect to find in New 
England.''
  The Lamprey is approximately 60 miles in length and serves as the 
major tributary for the Great Bay, which is part of the National 
Estuarine Research Reserve System. The Great Bay Refuge is also nearby, 
which was established several years ago following the closure of Pease 
Air Force Base. The preservation of the Lamprey is a significant 
component to protecting this entire ecosystem.
  The 11.5-mile segment, as proposed by our legislation, has been the 
focus of local protection efforts for many years. The towns of Lee, 
Durham, and Newmarket, local conservationists, the State government, as 
well as the congressional delegation have all come together in support 
of this legislation. I believe the management philosophy adopted by the 
advisory committee best articulates our goals for this legislation: ``* 
* * management of the river must strike a balance among desires to 
protect the river as an ecosystem, maintain the river for legitimate 
community use, and protect the interests and property rights of those 
who own its shorelands.''
  In conclusion, Mr. President, I congratulate Senate majority leader 
Lott, Senator Murkowski and others in negotiating an agreement on this 
comprehensive legislation. In addition, I commend all of the members of 
the Lamprey River Advisory Committee, especially Sharon Meeker of Lee, 
who served as committee chair, Judith Spang of Durham, and Richard 
Wellington of Lee. All have worked very hard on the Lamprey River 
legislation and have traveled to Washington to testify on its behalf. I 
am extremely pleased that, at last, the fruits of their labor will be 
rewarded with the adoption of the omnibus parks bill--one of the most 
significant environmental accomplishments of the 104th 
Congress.

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