    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 9, 1999]
    [Pages 533-534]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic
    River Act
    April 9, 1999

        I have today signed into law H.R. 193, the ``Sudbury, Assabet, and
    Concord Wild and Scenic River Act.'' The Act will designate portions of
    the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts as part of the
    National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I am pleased that

    [[Page 534]]

    the Congress has moved quickly to pass this legislation, which has
    bipartisan support.
        This Act recognizes 29 free-flowing miles of these three rivers for
    their outstanding ecology, history, scenery, recreation values, and
    place in American literature. Located about 25 miles west of Boston,
    these rivers are remarkably undeveloped and provide recreational
    opportunities in a natural setting to several million people living in
    the Greater Boston metropolitan area. Ten of the river miles lie within
    the boundary of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, which was
    established to protect the outstanding waterfowl habitat associated with
    extensive riparian wetlands. Historic sites of national importance,
    including many in the Minute Man National Historical Park, are located
    near the rivers in the Town of Concord. Among these is Old North Bridge,
    site of the Revolution's ``shot heard round the world.'' The rivers are
    featured prominently in the works of 19th century authors Hawthorne,
    Emerson, and Thoreau, and have been the subject of ornithological
    studies since early days of field observation techniques.
        Important to the designation of these rivers and their long-term
    protection is the strong local support and commitment to management and
    preservation as expressed by the communities and property owners along
    the river segments. Each of the eight towns along the river segments
    held town meetings regarding the designation of these river segments.
    Votes at these meetings in support of designation and endorsement of the
    Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord River Conservation Plan were unanimous
    among the eight towns. The Conservation Plan relies on local and private
    initiatives to protect the river segments through local zoning and land
    use controls.
        I am pleased to add these 29 miles of the Sudbury, Assabet, and
    Concord Rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I commend
    the elected officials and people of Massachusetts who worked so
    diligently on the river study, building local support for the wild and
    scenic river designation and the passage of this legislation. I want to
    particularly commend the efforts of Representative Marty Meehan, the principal sponsor of H.R. 193, whose leadership
    led to the enactment of this important legislation. I also want to
    recognize Senator Kennedy who championed
    this bill in the Senate.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    April 9, 1999.

    Note: H.R. 193, approved April 9, was assigned Public Law No. 106-20.