Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2008

MISSISQUOI AND TROUT RIVERS WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 11, 2008)

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3667) to amend the, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in the State of Vermont for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System:

* Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Chairman, the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers are located in my home State of Vermont. The Missisquoi begins in Western Orleans County just north of the beautiful mountain town of Eden and heads up through the Green Mountains. From Eden, the river leaves the U.S. and winds through southern Quebec before returning to the small Vermont town of Richford.

* If you paddle south along the Missisquoi from Richford you can find pristine clay deposits along the banks. Outside of the town of East Berkshire the Trout River feeds in from the East and slightly cools the temperature of the water. From here, the two rivers run as one all the way to Lake Champlain.

* From Eden to Lake Champlain the rivers run through scenic northern mountains, rolling farm hills dotted with dairy cows, and small Vermont towns. Both rivers are highly valued by the surrounding towns and communities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Parents who grew up swimming in these rivers take their children back to the same places to teach them how to swim. In the summer you can find these swimming holes filled with families, enjoying the water and taking in the sunshine along their banks.

* These rivers are bordered by the largest and perhaps the highest quality silver maple floodplain forest remaining in the State. They are also home to diverse animal life including brook trout, rare freshwater mussels and spiny soft-shell turtles. The surrounding marshes host migratory birds such as the great blue heron and black terns.

* This bill will provide for a study of these two rivers and represents the first step toward protecting Abenaki Indian archeological sites along the floodplains, scenic waterfalls and gorges, and a way of life in the communities surrounding these two rivers.

* I urge support for this bill.

Source