Bill Summary
The Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2022 is a bill that proposes to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in order to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the Deerfield River for potential inclusion in the national wild and scenic rivers system. This would involve studying the entire Deerfield River, including its branches and major tributaries, and submitting a report on the findings to Congress within 3 years. The purpose of this act is to potentially designate the Deerfield River as a protected wild and scenic river.
Possible Impacts
1. Access to the Deerfield River may be limited for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking if it is designated as a part of the national wild and scenic rivers system.
2. Local businesses and residents may be affected by potential changes in regulations or land use restrictions related to the river if it is added to the national system.
3. The study and report required by this legislation may bring attention to the environmental impacts and potential threats to the Deerfield River, leading to further advocacy and protection efforts by environmental groups.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8504 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8504
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study of the Deerfield River for potential
addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system, and for other
purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 26, 2022
Mr. McGovern (for himself, Mr. Neal, and Mr. Welch) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
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A BILL
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study of the Deerfield River for potential
addition to 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 ``Deerfield River Wild and Scenic
River Study Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION FOR STUDY; REPORT.
Section 5 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(145) Deerfield river, massachusetts and vermont.--The
entire river, including--
``(A) the North, South, East, and West Branches of
the Deerfield River; and
``(B) the major tributaries of the Deerfield River,
including the Green River, North River, South River,
Clesson Brook, Chickley River, Cold River, Gulf Brook,
Bog Brook, and Dunbar Brook.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
``(22) Deerfield river, massachusetts and vermont.--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 described in subsection
(a)(145); and
``(B) submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing the results of such
study.''.
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