[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 415 Reported in House (RH)] Union Calendar No. 466 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 415 [Report No. 110-735] To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 11, 2007 Mr. Frank of Massachusetts (for himself and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources July 8, 2008 Additional sponsors: Mr. Markey, Mr. Olver, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Neal of Massachusetts, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Kennedy, and Ms. Tsongas July 8, 2008 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 11, 2007] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF TAUNTON RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. 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: ``(__) Taunton River, Massachusetts.--The main stem of the Taunton River from its headwaters at the confluence of the Town and Matfield Rivers in the Town of Bridgewater downstream 40 miles to the confluence with the Quequechan River at the Route 195 Bridge in the City of Fall River, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in cooperation with the Taunton River Stewardship Council as follows: ``(A) The 18-mile segment from the confluence of the Town and Matfield Rivers to Route 24 in the Town of Raynham, as a scenic river. ``(B) The 5-mile segment from Route 24 to 0.5 miles below Weir Bridge in the City of Taunton, as a recreational river. ``(C) The 8-mile segment from 0.5 miles below Weir Bridge to Muddy Cove in the Town of Dighton, as a scenic river. ``(D) The 9-mile segment from Muddy Cove to the confluence with the Quequechan River at the Route 195 Bridge in the City of Fall River, as a recreational river.''. SEC. 2. MANAGEMENT OF TAUNTON RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. (a) Taunton River Stewardship Plan.-- (1) In general.--Each river segment added to section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by section 1 of this Act shall be managed in accordance with the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, dated July 2005 (including any amendment to the Taunton River Stewardship Plan that the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') determines to be consistent with this Act). (2) Effect.--The Taunton River Stewardship Plan described in paragraph (1) shall be considered to satisfy each requirement relating to the comprehensive management plan required under section 3(d) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(d)). (b) Cooperative Agreements.--To provide for the long-term protection, preservation, and enhancement of each river segment added to section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by section 1 of this Act, pursuant to sections 10(e) and 11(b)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(e) and 1282(b)(1)), the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements (which may include provisions for financial and other assistance) with-- (1) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts); (2) the Taunton River Stewardship Council; and (3) any appropriate nonprofit organization, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Relation to National Park System.--Notwithstanding section 10(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(c)), each river segment added to section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by section 1 of this Act shall not be-- (1) administered as a unit of the National Park System; or (2) subject to the laws (including regulations) that govern the administration of the National Park System. (d) Land Management.-- (1) Zoning ordinances.--The zoning ordinances adopted by the Towns of Bridgewater, Halifax, Middleborough, Raynham, Berkley, Dighton, Freetown, and Somerset, and the Cities of Taunton and Fall River, Massachusetts (including any provision of the zoning ordinances relating to the conservation of floodplains, wetlands, and watercourses associated with any river segment added to section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by section 1 of this Act), shall be considered to satisfy each standard and requirement described in section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1277(c)). (2) Villages.--For the purpose of section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1277(c)), each town described in paragraph (1) shall be considered to be a village. (3) Acquisition of land.-- (A) Limitation of authority of secretary.--With respect to each river segment added to section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by section 1 of this Act, the Secretary may only acquire parcels of land-- (i) by donation; or (ii) with the consent of the owner of the parcel of land. (B) Prohibition relating to acquisition of land by condemnation.--In accordance with section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1277(c)), with respect to each river segment added to section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by section 1 of this Act, the Secretary may not acquire any parcel of land by condemnation. Union Calendar No. 466 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 415 [Report No. 110-735] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. _______________________________________________________________________ July 8, 2008 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed