[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 13, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H11177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DESIGNATING SEGMENT OF ILLABOT CREEK AS A NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC 
                                 RIVER

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1593) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a 
segment of Illabot Creek in Skagit County, Washington, as a component 
of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1593

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS.

       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:
       ``(__) Illabot creek, washington.--
       ``(A) The 14.3 mile segment from the headwaters of Illabot 
     Creek to the northern terminus as generally depicted on the 
     map titled `Illabot Creek Proposed WSR - Northern Terminus', 
     dated September 15, 2009, to be administered by the Secretary 
     of Agriculture as follows:
       ``(i) The 4.3 mile segment from the headwaters of Illabot 
     Creek to the boundary of Glacier Peak Wilderness Area as a 
     wild river.
       ``(ii) The 10 mile segment from the boundary of Glacier 
     Peak Wilderness to the northern terminus as generally 
     depicted on the map titled `Illabot Creek Proposed WSR - 
     Northern Terminus', dated September 15, 2009, as a 
     recreational river.
       ``(B) Action required to be taken under subsection (d)(1) 
     for the river segments designated under this paragraph shall 
     be completed through revision of the Skagit Wild and Scenic 
     River comprehensive management plan.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentleman from Alaska 
(Mr. Young) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1593 would designate a segment of Illabot Creek in 
Skagit County, Washington, as a component of the National Wild and 
Scenic Rivers Systems.
  The Forest Service studied Illabot Creek for potential Wild and 
Scenic River designation in conjunction with the National Forest 
planning process. The study found that the creek possesses 
outstandingly remarkable values. For example, the river is home to a 
bald eagle communal night roost and is important habitat for bear, 
beaver, and spotted owls, to name a few.
  Mr. Speaker, we commend our distinguished colleague Representative 
Rick Larsen for his hard work and dedication to this legislation. We 
support passage of H.R. 1593, and urge its adoption by the House today.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 1593 will designate segments of the Illabot Creek in Skagit 
County, Washington, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. The area being designated is located within the Baker-
Snoqualmie National Forest. The total designated is 14.3 miles in two 
separate segments.
  Although I personally do not believe a wild and scenic designation is 
necessarily the best way to manage our river resources in every 
instance, I understand that this bill excludes a section of the river 
crossed by a needed road and now has local support. I do not object at 
this time to the passage of this legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time. I 
would inquire of the minority whether they have any additional 
speakers.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I have no further requests for time.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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