[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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