[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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