Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act

Floor Speech

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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.

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.

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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I too, urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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