[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 108 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S9641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Jeffords, and Mr. Gregg):
  S. 1433. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide 
assistance in implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and 
recreational activities in the Connecticut River watershed of the 
States of New Hampshire and Vermont; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Upper 
Connecticut River Partnership Act that will help bring recognition to 
New England's largest river ecosystem and help the communities along 
the river protect and enhance their natural, cultural and recreational 
resources. I am pleased to add Senators Jeffords and Gregg as original 
cosponsors of this bill.
  For years, our offices and our States have worked together to help 
communities on both sides of the river develop local partnerships to 
protect the Connecticut River valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. This 
valley is a scenic region of historic villages located in a working 
landscape of farms and forests.
  Citizens on both sides of the river know just how special this region 
is and have worked side by side for years to protect it. The two States 
came together to create the Connecticut River Joint Commissions, which 
help coordinate the efforts of towns, watersheds and other local groups 
to implement the Connecticut River Corridor Management Plan. This Plan 
has become the blueprint for how communities along the river can work 
together, with the States of Vermont and New Hampshire and with the 
Federal Government to protect the river's resources.
  The Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act would help carry out the 
recommendations of the Connecticut River Corridor Management Plan and 
help communities along the river protect their cultural, natural and 
recreational resources. This Act would provide the Secretary of 
Interior with the ability to assist the States of New Hampshire and 
Vermont with technical and financial aid for the Upper Connecticut 
River through the Connecticut River Joint Commissions. The people 
living in the Upper Connecticut Watershed region would be able to learn 
about the river and be given knowledge on how to protect it. Also, the 
Act would assist local community efforts to continue cultural heritage 
outreach and education programs while enriching the recreational 
activities already active in the Connecticut River Watersheds of 
Vermont and New Hampshire.
  The bill also will require that the Secretary of Interior establish a 
Connecticut River Grants and Technical Assistance Program to help local 
community groups develop new projects and build on existing ones to 
enhance the river basin. Over the next few years, I hope this bill will 
help bring new recognition to the Connecticut River as one of our 
Nation's great water resources.
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