[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7939-H7940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LITTLE MANATEE WILD AND SCENIC RIVER ACT
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4358) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate
segments of the Little Manatee River 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. 4358
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 ``Little Manatee Wild and
Scenic River Act''.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION FOR STUDY OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER
SEGMENTS, LITTLE MANATEE 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:
``(__) Little manatee river, florida.--The approximately
50-mile segment beginning at the source in southeastern
Hillsborough County, Florida, downstream to the point at
which the river enters Tampa Bay, including appropriate
tributaries, but shall not include--
``(A) those portions lying within Manatee County, Florida,
and being more particularly described as Parcel ID 247800059,
Parcel ID 248200008 and Parcel ID 248100000; and
``(B) South Fork.''.
SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT.
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:
``(__) Little manatee 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 Little Manatee River,
Florida named in 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
Little Manatee 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
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Carl) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the item under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4358, the Little Manatee
Wild and Scenic River Act, offered by our colleague from Florida,
Representative Buchanan.
The bill will formally designate an approximately 51-mile segment of
the Little Manatee River in Florida as a national scenic river.
Beginning at its source in southeastern Hillsborough County, the
Little Manatee River flows downstream into Tampa Bay.
The river is one of the most pristine blackwater rivers in Southwest
Florida and is designated as an outstanding Florida water.
{time} 1815
Like all other wild and scenic rivers throughout the country, this
bill will protect the river for public enjoyment without the fear of
intrusive development.
The bill ensures the river remains available for full a range of
recreational activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, boating, and
fishing.
Designating the Little Manatee River as a Scenic River will ensure
that it continues to be enjoyed by future generations of Floridians and
visitors of all stripes.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4358, the Little Manatee
Wild and Scenic River Act. This bill, sponsored by my colleague from
Florida, Representative Vern Buchanan, would authorize a study of the
Little Manatee River in Florida to consider its inclusion as a
component of the National Wild and Scenic River System.
The Little Manatee River, which has been designated an Outstanding
Florida Water, transitions from a 10- to 20-food-wide creek flowing
through an ash and oak floodplain forest to a 300-foot-wide tide-
influenced river flowing through tidal marsh that empties into Tampa
Bay.
The bill contains important provisions protecting private property
rights that ensure that study cannot be used as a justification for new
restrictive management practices unless Congress acts to officially
designate the river as part of the National Wild and Scenic River
System at a future date.
This bill is locally supported, and I commend Representative Buchanan
for his work on this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from
Alabama, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4358,
bipartisan legislation I introduced last July with my fellow Floridian
Rep. Darren Soto, regarding the Little Manatee River. I urge my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join with us in voting in
support of this bill.
The Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act authorizes the National
Park Service (NPS) to study whether it's appropriate to add an
approximately 51-mile-long segment of the Little Manatee River, from
its source in southeastern Hillsborough County to the point at which
the river enters Tampa Bay, to its Wild and Scenic River System.
For my part, I strongly support both passage of this bill today and
of subsequently adding the Little Manatee River to the NPS' Wild and
Scenic River program in the future. Passage of the bill before us today
begins that journey and I have been very pleased to work with my
colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee toward realizing that
goal.
Adding this river to the Wild and Scenic River program in the future
will help ensure the Little Manatee will remain available for a full
range of recreational activities for Floridians, like canoeing,
kayaking, boating and fishing.
In Florida, protecting our precious natural resources has always been
a top priority. Florida's Suncoast is blessed with an abundance of
natural treasures like Sarasota Bay, Emerson Point Preserve and Myakka
River State Park.
I want all of my colleagues to know that adding the Little Manatee
River to the Wild and Scenic River program enjoys strong local support
as well. Both the Hillsborough County Commission and the Manatee County
Commission have approved resolutions supporting this designation.
Of particular note, Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Stacy
White has been a leader in the effort to add the Little Manatee River
to the Wild and Scenic River program. He has been a champion of this
effort from day one and an invaluable partner for me in my efforts at
the federal level.
Protecting and enhancing water quality for all of Southwest Florida
has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress.
Approving this bill today will move us forward in our efforts to help
ensure a vibrant, clean and healthy environment in my home state of
Florida. It's both an important element in our quality of life and a
vital part of our economic well-being because millions of people visit
Florida every year.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the bipartisan leadership of the
Natural Resources Committee for working with me to bring H.R. 4358 to
the floor today.
Again, I urge all of my colleagues in the House to join with me in
voting for this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4358, 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. HARRIS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
[[Page H7940]]
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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