Bill Summary
This bill, known as the "Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025," aims to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by designating the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont as potential additions to the national wild and scenic rivers system. This designation would provide additional protections and preservation efforts for these two segments of the rivers, which would include any associated tributaries. The bill also calls for a study of these segments and a report to be submitted to Congress within three years of the bill's passage. This study and report would provide information on the current state of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream and their potential for inclusion in the national wild and scenic rivers system.
Possible Impacts
1. The Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 could potentially limit the use of these rivers for recreational activities in the designated segments, such as fishing or boating.
2. The study and report required by this legislation could potentially impact the local economy and livelihoods of those who rely on the rivers for tourism or as a source of income.
3. The amendment of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act could potentially lead to increased federal control and regulation of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream, affecting the management and maintenance of the rivers by local communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3181 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3181
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Nulhegan River
and Paul Stream in the State of Vermont for potential addition to the
national wild and scenic rivers system, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 5, 2025
Ms. Balint 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 Nulhegan River
and Paul Stream in the State of Vermont 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 ``Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild
and Scenic River Study Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT.
(a) Designation for Study.--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:
``(147) Nulhegan river and paul stream, vermont.--The
following segments:
``(A) The approximately 22-mile segment of the main
stem of the Nulhegan River from the headwaters near
Nulhegan Pond to the confluence with the Connecticut
River, and any associated tributaries (including the
North, Yellow, Black, and East Branches).
``(B) The approximately 18-mile segment of Paul
Stream from the headwaters on West Mountain to the
confluence with the Connecticut River, and any
associated tributaries.''.
(b) Study and Report.--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:
``(24) Nulhegan river and paul stream, 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 of the Nulhegan River and
Paul Stream segments in Vermont described in subsection
(a)(147); and
``(B) submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing the results of such
study.''.
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