[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H5582-H5584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1430
MUSCONETCONG WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 1307) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to
designate portions of the Musconetcong River in the State of New Jersey
as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1307
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Musconetcong Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation and
consultation with appropriate Federal, State, regional, and
local agencies, is conducting a study of the eligibility and
suitability of the Musconetcong River in the State of New
Jersey for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
(2) The Musconetcong Wild and Scenic River Study Task Force
has prepared, with assistance from the National Park Service,
a river management plan for the study area entitled
``Musconetcong River Management Plan'' and dated April 2003,
which establishes goals and actions that will ensure long-
term protection of the outstanding values of the river and
compatible management of land and water resources associated
with the river.
(3) Thirteen municipalities and three counties along
segments of the Musconetcong River eligible for designation
have passed resolutions supporting the Musconetcong River
Management Plan, agreeing to take action to implement the
goals of the plan, and endorsing designation of the river.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF PORTIONS OF MUSCONETCONG RIVER, NEW
JERSEY, AS SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL RIVERS.
(a) Designation.--Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
``(167) Musconetcong River, New Jersey.--(A) The 24.2 miles
of river segments in New Jersey, to be administered by the
Secretary of the Interior, consisting of--
``(i) the segment from Saxton Falls to the Route 46 bridge
(approximately 3.5 miles), as a scenic river; and
``(ii) the segment from the Kings Highway bridge to the
railroad tunnels at
[[Page H5583]]
Musconetcong Gorge (approximately 20.7 miles), as a
recreational river.
``(B) Notwithstanding section 10(c), the river segments
referred to in subparagraph (A) shall not be administered as
part of the National Park System.''.
(b) Management of Segments.--
(1) Compliance with management plan.--The Secretary of the
Interior shall manage the segments of the Musconetcong River,
New Jersey, designated as a scenic river or recreational
river by the amendment made by subsection (a) in accordance
with the river management plan entitled ``Musconetcong River
Management Plan'' and dated April 2002, prepared by the
Musconetcong River Management Committee, the National Park
Service, the Heritage Conservancy, and the Musconetcong
Watershed Association, which establishes goals and actions
that will ensure long-term protection of the outstanding
values of the river segments and compatible management of
land and water resources associated with the river segments.
(2) Cooperation.--The Secretary shall manage the river
segments in cooperation with appropriate Federal, State,
regional, and local agencies, including--
(A) the Musconetcong River Management Committee;
(B) the Musconetcong Watershed Association;
(C) the Heritage Conservancy;
(D) the National Park Service; and
(E) the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
(c) Satisfaction of Requirements for Plan.--The management
plan shall be considered to satisfy the requirements for a
comprehensive management plan for the river segments under
subsection 3(d) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C.
1274(d)).
(d) Federal Role.--
(1) Restrictions on water resource projects.--In
determining under section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act (16 U.S.C. 1278(a)) whether a proposed water resources
project would have a direct and adverse effect on the values
for which a river segment is designated as part of the Wild
and Scenic Rivers System, the Secretary shall consider the
extent to which the project is consistent with the management
plan.
(2) Cooperative agreements.--Any cooperative agreements
entered into under section 10(e) of the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(e)) relating to a river segment--
(A) shall be consistent with the management plan; and
(B) may include provisions for financial or other
assistance from the United States to facilitate the long-term
protection, conservation, and enhancement of the river
segment.
(3) Support for implementation.--The Secretary may provide
technical assistance, staff support, and funding to assist in
the implementation of the management plan.
(e) Land Management.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide planning,
financial, and technical assistance to local municipalities
and non-profit organizations to assist in the implementation
of actions to protect the natural and historic resources of
the river segments.
(2) Plan requirements.--After adoption of recommendations
made in section IV of the management plan, the zoning
ordinances of the municipalities bordering the segments shall
be considered to satisfy the standards and requirements under
section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C.
1277(c)).
(f) Designation of Additional River Segment.--
(1) Finding.--Congress finds that the Musconetcong River
segment ``C'', as described in the management plan, is
suitable for designation as a recreational river pursuant to
this subsection if the Secretary determines that there is
adequate local support for the designation.
(2) Designation and administration.--If the Secretary
determines that there is adequate local support for
designating the additional river segment as a recreational
river--
(A) the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a
notice of the designation of the segment;
(B) the segment shall thereby be designated as a
recreational river in accordance with the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.); and
(C) the Secretary shall administer the additional river
segment as a recreational river.
(3) Criteria for local support.--In determining whether
there is adequate local support for the designation of the
additional river segment, the Secretary shall consider, among
other things, the preferences of local governments expressed
in resolutions concerning designation of the segment.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such funds as are necessary to carry out
this section, including the amendment to the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act made by this section.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Additional river segment.--The term ``additional river
segment'' means Musconetcong River segment ``C'', as
described in the management plan, from Hughesville Mill to
the Delaware River Confluence (approximately 4.3 miles).
(2) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the river management plan entitled ``Musconetcong River
Management Plan'' and dated April 2002.
(3) River segments.--The term ``river segments'' means the
segments of the Musconetcong River, New Jersey, designated as
a scenic river or recreational river by the amendment made by
subsection (a) in accordance with the management plan.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 1307 introduced by Congressman Scott Garrett of New Jersey
designates two segments of the Musconetcong River, totaling 24.2 miles,
as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
In 1992, residents of the Lower Musconetcong River Valley formed a
not-for-profit organization committed to protecting the river. In 1995,
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommended to
the National Park Service that the river be included in the nationwide
rivers inventory of candidate rivers for wild and scenic designation.
Two years later, 18 river municipalities requested that the Park
Service study the river for its suitability for inclusion in the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In June of 2004, the Park
Service found portions of the river suitable, and these sections have
been included in H.R. 1307. I would urge my colleagues to support H.R.
1307.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained the
purpose of H.R. 1307, which was introduced by the gentleman from New
Jersey, Representative Scott Garrett. We support H.R. 1307, and have no
objection to the adoption of the legislation by the House today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor and privilege
to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Garrett), who has put an incredible amount of work into this
legislation to bring it forward and has been a dutiful and diligent
lawmaker in that respect.
Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to come to the
floor today in support of our legislation, H.R. 1307, the Musconetcong
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. And I also commend the gentleman for his
pronunciation of the Musconetcong River as well. It is not an easy
river to designate.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the chairman,
Chairman Pombo, and all of his staff from the Resources Committee for
their help in bringing this bill forward. I appreciate all of their
hard work and working along with our offices to that end. I would also
like to extend my thanks as well to Majority Whip Roy Blunt and the
majority staff, and also the majority leader's office and his staff as
well for helping us move things along and getting this legislation to
the floor today.
The Musconetcong River is the largest New Jersey tributary to the
Delaware River, which we are all familiar with. It is nestled in the
heart of the New Jersey Highlands, and it contains a remarkably diverse
array of natural and cultural resources. There are over 20 streams
along the river, and they support wild trout populations and others.
Residents can also enjoy the wonderful scenic views and plants and
animal life that are now rare in other parts of New Jersey. The
limestone geological features present in the Musconetcong River
corridor are unique in the State of New Jersey. And the steep slopes
and the forested regions in the upper segments of the river corridor
contrast with the historic villages, the pastures, and the rolling
agricultural lands that are in the middle and lower end of the valley.
Since the early 1990s, the residents of the river valley have been
organizing, coming together to protect this cherished natural treasure,
and so the bill before us today represents the works of many
individuals over a 15-year period.
[[Page H5584]]
So I would like to take this moment to especially thank a couple of
those individuals. I would like to thank Susan Dickey, who is
chairwoman of the Musconetcong Advisory Committee; and also Beth Styler
Barry, she is the executive director of the Musconetcong Watershed
Association, for both of their tireless working in constructing this
legislation and lobbying to help to get it along its way.
This bill does enjoy broad bipartisan support of all the entire New
Jersey congressional delegation, 18 municipalities along the river, and
also the National Park Service. Now, New Jersey already is the most
densely populated State in the country, featuring growing exurbs which
continue to put pressure on the remaining very small wild spaces in New
Jersey. While this legislation will not freeze development in that
area, it will work to preserve the existing character of the river, a
character of true beauty and recreational enjoyment.
The Musconetcong River Management Plan called for in this legislation
was developed cooperatively, and it calls for a management framework
that acknowledges the importance and preferences for local leadership
and the additional preferences and protections afforded by a national
wild and scenic river designation. A key principle of the management
framework as proposed in this plan is the existing institutions which
will continue to play a primary role in the long-term protection of the
Musconetcong River.
Again, I would like to thank the gentleman; I would like to thank the
chairman for his support and the Speaker for bringing this bill to a
vote. H.R. 1307 will ensure that the residents of New Jersey can
continue to enjoy the Musconetcong River for its hiking, its canoeing,
and fishing along into the future. And I also would like to invite the
chairman, for his next backpack trip that he makes, to come and join us
along the Musconetcong River in New Jersey.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. I would like to thank the gentleman from New
Jersey. I would look forward to that opportunity to come see this river
that you have spoken so highly of and have now sought to protect in
this very special way. We appreciate again your diligence in this
effort in bringing this bill forward.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, we support the
measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, indeed we have no further
speakers, and I would yield back the balance of my time and encourage
an ``aye'' vote on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1307, 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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