[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 24 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Pages 1357-1358]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting a Report on the Wekiva River and 
Tributaries in Florida

June 13, 2000

To the Congress of the United States:

    I take pleasure in transmitting the enclosed report for the Wekiva 
River and several tributaries in Florida. The report and my 
recommendations are in response to the provisions of the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act, Public Law 90-542, as amended. The Wekiva study was 
authorized by Public Law 104-311.
    The National Park Service conducted the study with assistance from 
the Wekiva River Basin Working Group, a committee established by the 
Florida Department of Environmental Protection to represent a broad 
spectrum of environmental and developmental interests. The study found 
that 45.5 miles of river are eligible for the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System (the ``System'') based on free-flowing character, good

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water quality, and ``outstandingly remarkable'' scenic, recreational, 
fish and wildlife, and historic/cultural values.
    Almost all the land adjacent to the eligible rivers is in public 
ownership and managed by State and county governments for conservation 
purposes. The exception to this pattern is the 3.9-mile-long Seminole 
Creek that is in private ownership. The public land managers strongly 
support designation while the private landowner opposes designation of 
his land. Therefore, I recommend that the 41.6 miles of river abutted by 
public lands and as described in the enclosed report be designated a 
component of the System. Seminole Creek could be added if the adjacent 
landowner should change his mind or if this land is ever purchased by an 
individual or conservation agency who does not object. The tributary is 
not centrally located in the area proposed for designation.
    I further recommend that legislation designating the Wekiva and 
eligible tributaries specify that on-the-ground management 
responsibilities remain with the existing land manager and not the 
Secretary of the Department of the Interior. This is in accordance with 
expressed State wishes and is logical. Responsibilities of the Secretary 
should be limited to working with State and local partners in developing 
a comprehensive river management plan, providing technical assistance, 
and reviewing effects of water resource development proposals in 
accordance with section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
    We look forward to working with the Congress to designate this 
worthy addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 June 13, 2000.