[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 642 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 642
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the portion of the
Myakka River lying within Sarasota County, Florida as a component of
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 23, 2025
Mr. Steube (for himself and Mr. Buchanan) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the portion of the
Myakka River lying within Sarasota County, Florida as a component of
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
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 ``Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Public Law 95-625 amended section 5 of the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276) to require the study of the
Myakka River for potential inclusion in the national wild and
scenic rivers system.
(2) The study determined the Myakka River, was eligible for
inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
(3) The State of Florida has demonstrated its commitment to
protecting this river by the enactment of the Myakka River Wild
and Scenic Designation and Protection Act (Florida Statute
Chapter 258.501).
(4) The Florida county of Sarasota and the cities of Venice
and North Port have demonstrated their commitment to protect
this river in their comprehensive land use plans, local
ordinances, and land development regulations.
(5) The desire for designation of this river as a component
of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System has been
demonstrated through strong public support, State and local
agency support, and the endorsement of designation by the
Myakka River Management Coordinating Council, which represents
a broad cross section of State and local agencies, agricultural
interests, landowners, environmental, and nonprofit
organizations.
(6) A 12-mile segment of the Myakka River is within the
Myakka River State Park with an additional 22-mile segment
containing conservation lands held in public ownership or
conservation easements within the Myakka River Watershed.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MYAKKA RIVER, FLORIDA, AS A COMPONENT OF THE
NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SYSTEM.
(a) Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C.
1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(___) Myakka river, florida.--The 34-mile segments,
within Sarasota County referred to in this paragraph, to be
administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in partnership
with the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council.''.
(b) In General.--The following segments of the Myakka River, within
Sarasota County, to be administered in the following classifications:
``(A) The approximately 8.0-mile segment from the
Manatee County/Sarasota County line to S.R. 72, as a
scenic river.
``(B) The approximately 11.2-mile segment, from
S.R. 72 to Laurel Road, as a wild river.
``(C) The approximately 1.9-mile segment, from
Laurel Road to Border Road, as a scenic river.
``(D) The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from
Border Road to just south of the I-75 Bridge, as a
recreational river.
``(E) The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from
south of the I-75 Bridge to Snook Haven, as a scenic
river.
``(F) The approximately 3.2-mile segment, from
Snook Haven to Ramblers Rest, as a wild river.
``(G) The approximately 2.7-mile segment, from
Ramblers Rest to U.S. 41, as a scenic river.
``(H) The approximately 4.0-mile segment, from U.S.
41 to the Charlotte County Line, as a scenic river.''.
SEC. 4. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO MYAKKA RIVER.
(a) Definitions.--In this section and section 5:
(1) Myakka river.--The term ``Myakka River'' means the
segments of the Myakka River in the State of Florida designated
as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by
paragraph (_) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
(16 U.S.C. 1274(a)), as added by this Act.
(2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Myakka River
Management Coordinating Council established pursuant to Florida
Statute Chapter 258.501.
(3) Comprehensive management plan.--The terms
``comprehensive management plan'' and ``plan'' mean the Myakka
River Wild and Scenic Management Plan developed by the Council
shall be considered to satisfy the requirements for the
comprehensive management plan under section 3(d) of the Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(d)).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) Use authorized.--In order to provide for the long-term
protection, preservation, and enhancement of the Myakka River,
the Secretary shall coordinate administration responsibilities
under this section, and may enter into cooperative agreements
pursuant to sections 10(e) and 11(b)(1) of the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(e), 1282(b)(1)) with the State of
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of
Recreation and Parks, appropriate local political jurisdictions
of the State, the county of Sarasota, City of North Port, City
of Venice and appropriate local planning and non-profit
organizations.
(2) Effect of agreement.--Administration of the Myakka
River by the Secretary of the Interior through the use of
cooperative agreements shall not--
(A) constitute National Park Service administration
of the Myakka River for purposes of section 10(c) of
such Act ( U.S.C. 1281(c)); or
(B) cause the Myakka River to be considered a unit
of the National Park System.
(3) Publicly owned lands.--Nothing in this Act or an
agreement under this Act shall affect the management of
publicly or privately owned lands within the boundaries of the
Myakka River watershed by the agencies having jurisdiction over
the lands, in accordance with the statutory authority of
Florida Statute 258.501 and the mission of such agencies.
(4) Technical assistance and other support.--The Secretary
may provide technical assistance, staff support, and funding to
assist in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive
management plan.
(5) Acquisition of land.--the authority of the Secretary to
acquire land for the Myakka River segments shall be limited to
acquisition by donation or acquisition with the consent of the
owner thereof.
(6) No condemnation.--No land or interest in land may be
acquired for the Myakka River segments by condemnation.
SEC. 5. MYAKKA RIVER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL.
(a) Existing Structure.--the Secretary shall coordinate the
management responsibilities of the Secretary with the Council in the
updating and implementation of the comprehensive management plan for
the Myakka River.
(b) Representative From DOI.--The Secretary shall select a
representative who shall be added to the Council to represent the
National Park Service.
(c) Additional Members.--Other interested parties may be added to
the Council, in accordance with the statutory authority under Florida
Statute 258.501.
(d) Coordination With Council.--The Secretary shall coordinate the
management responsibilities with the Council in the updating and
implementation of the Management plan for the Myakka River, to assist
the Secretary in carrying out the management responsibilities of the
Secretary under this Act.
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