[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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