[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 85 (Friday, June 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WOOD-PAWCATUCK WATERSHED PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Wood-
Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act.
  The measure would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to authorize a 
study for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers 
system. The catalog of lands and rivers that carry this designation 
would surely benefit from the inclusion of this watershed, an area 
identified as containing the last large forested track south of Boston. 
While a 300 square mile area of land may not sound like a large area to 
some of my colleagues, open space in New England has come under 
increased pressure from development. Conducting a study with the 
potential of inducting into or including this watershed in the wild and 
scenic river system would significantly ease these development 
pressures.
  In fact, the National Park Service has already conducted studies on 
this watershed. These past studies have identified the Wood and 
Pawcatuck Rivers as ``unique and irreplaceable resources.'' But even 
today the level of flora, fauna, reptiles, fish, and mammals found 
within the Wood-Pawcatuck boundaries is staggering for this region of 
the country. It includes the New England Cottontail an animal listed 
under the Endangered Species Act. The range of the cottontail 
historically included most of New England and parts of New York, yet 
today the watershed is one of only five locations this species can be 
found.
  The watershed is one of the few remaining relatively pristine natural 
areas along the northeast corridor between New York and Boston. In 
fact, forest and wetlands comprise 60 percent of this land, which helps 
maintain its high water quality. This landscape provides vast 
recreational opportunities: 57 miles of rivers, mostly flat-water 
paddling on the rivers; numerous streams in pristine forest for fishing 
native brook trout and stocked brown and rainbow trout; and five state 
management areas for hiking, biking, hunting, birding and natures 
studies.
  My district is already home to another watershed that carries the 
wild and scenic designation, the Eightmile River. I have seen firsthand 
the importance associated with this status. A partnership between the 
Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee and the National 
Park Service has developed and carried out strategies for ensuring the 
watershed ecosystem is protected and enhanced for generations to come. 
The involvement at the federal, state, and local levels has been 
invaluable to this resource. Expanding these same opportunities to 
Wood-Pawcatuck is critical.
  I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Jim 
Langevin of Rhode Island, for his leadership in introducing this bill 
and ushering it successfully through this chamber again this year. 
Lastly, I would like to recognize the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 
Association who has promoted and protected the integrity of the lands 
and waters of the watershed since 1983. Their dedication to this 
invaluable natural treasure must be applauded.
  I urge passage of this legislation and thank my colleagues for their 
support.

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