[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 24 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. 
        Murphy):
  S. 349. A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a 
segment of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in 
the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island for study for potential 
addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing, along with my 
colleagues Senators Blumenthal, Whitehouse, and Murphy legislation to 
authorize the National Park Service to evaluate portions of the Beaver, 
Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers located in Rhode Island and 
Connecticut for possible inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. Our legislation seeks to highlight the need for greater 
resources to protect and restore the health of these rivers by studying 
their recreational, natural, and historical qualities and determining 
if they are suitable for designation as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
  The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed is a national treasure that holds 
recreational and scenic value. In the 1980s, the National Park 
Service's Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program conducted a 
planning and conservation study which found, in part, that the waters 
of the Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers corridor ``are the cleanest and purest 
and its recreational opportunities are unparalleled by any other river 
system in the state.''
  The rivers also provide opportunities for recreation and tourism that 
contribute to the economy of the local communities, while offering ways 
to explore our American heritage throughout the watershed. The 
experiences one can enjoy range from visiting Native American fishing 
grounds to seeing Colonial and early industrial mill ruins. The rivers 
are also a prime location for outdoor activities like trout fishing, 
canoeing, bird watching, and hiking.
  I have long been a supporter of protecting and restoring Southern New 
England's riverways and estuaries, including the Narragansett Bay. The 
study proposed in our legislation is an important part of the process 
in determining future opportunities for protection and recreational 
enjoyment of the rivers in the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed. It would also 
help Rhode Island and Connecticut continue their stewardship of these 
rivers, and greatly enhance existing state and local efforts to 
preserve and manage this ecosystem.
  Indeed, partnerships are essential for the successful restoration and 
management of our natural resources, and it is anticipated that this 
study would be conducted in close cooperation with the communities, 
state agencies, local governments, and private organizations that are 
stakeholders in the process. The partnership-based approach also allows 
for development of a proposed river management plan, which could 
address issues ranging from fish passage to the restoration of wetlands 
to assist with flood mitigation, as well as balance the preservation of 
the natural resources with the recreational opportunities that 
contribute to the local economies.
  I commend Representatives Langevin, Cicilline, and Courtney for 
introducing similar legislation in the other body. I look forward to 
working with them and all of my colleagues to pass this bill to 
initiate the process that will evaluate the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 
for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
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