[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6693-H6694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               KISSIMMEE RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVER ACT

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4404) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate 
segments of the Kissimmee River in the State of Florida as a component 
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4404

       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 ``Kissimmee River Wild and 
     Scenic River Act''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION FOR STUDY OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER 
                   SEGMENTS, KISSIMMEE RIVER, FLORIDA.

       Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1276(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(__) Kissimmee river, florida.--The restored segment of 
     the Kissimmee River, beginning approximately 16 miles 
     downstream of Lake Kissimmee and ending approximately 15 
     miles upstream of Lake Okeechobee.''.

     SEC. 3. STUDIES AND REPORTS.

       Section 5(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1276(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(__) Kissimmee river, florida.--Not later than 3 years 
     after the date on which funds are made available to carry out 
     this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall--
       ``(A) complete the study of the Kissimmee River, Florida 
     named in paragraph (_) of subsection (a); and
       ``(B) submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes the 
     results of the study.''.

     SEC. 4. EFFECT ON MANAGEMENT.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not 
     interfere with the current management of the area of the 
     Kissimmee River described in section 5(a)(_) of the Wild and 
     Scenic Rivers Act, nor shall the fact that such area is 
     listed for study under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) be used as justification for more 
     restrictive management until Congress acts on the study 
     recommendations.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from

[[Page H6694]]

California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. 
Herrell) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4404, the Kissimmee 
River Wild and Scenic River Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior 
to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and designate segments of the 
Kissimmee River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System.
  After efforts in the 1940s to control the Kissimmee River's flow led 
to issues that destroyed habitats, Congress directed the Army Corps of 
Engineers to restore the river back to its original path in the 1990s.
  The completion of this project has already contributed to the return 
of many wildlife species and a healthier ecosystem.
  This bill will ensure that the restored segments of the river are 
preserved for future generations to enjoy, by adding them to the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
  Congress created the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968 
to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and 
recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of 
present and future generations.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Soto, for introducing this 
important legislation and championing it on behalf of his constituents.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4404, a bipartisan bill 
sponsored by Representative Darren Soto of Florida.
  The Kissimmee River stretches more than 100 miles in Central Florida 
and serves as both the headwaters for the Everglades and the main 
drainage route for the expansive Kissimmee River Basin.
  H.R. 4404, as amended, would authorize a Wild and Scenic River study 
to be completed by the Secretary of the Interior. The study will 
confirm whether the river meets the high standards set forth in the 
Wild and Scenic River Act.
  I appreciate the majority supporting an amendment at markup to 
protect private property rights by clarifying that this study cannot be 
used as a justification for new restrictive management practices prior 
to Congress acting to officially designate the river as wild and 
scenic.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I too, urge a ``yes'' vote on this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4404, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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