Senate
Committee considering matching bill introduced by Senator Reed
The
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act, introduced by Langevin in the House
and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in the Senate, would pave the way for the rivers
to receive benefits under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which currently does
not cover the South County waterways. This change would not increase federal
spending.
“It is encouraging that the House and Senate have taken up this bill in committee so early in the 113th Congress, showing an understanding by Senator Reed’s and my colleagues that we should consider the immense value of the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed,” said Langevin, a member of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition. “Today’s action represents only initial steps in an extended process, but following through on this effort will be well worth it when future generations of Rhode Islanders can experience the economic and environmental advantages of providing federal funds and protections for these rivers.”
The
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources is scheduled to have a
hearing that includes testimony on the bill later this afternoon. While the
legislation passed the House with bipartisan support
in the 112th Congress, it did not receive consideration by
the Senate.
Last
year, Langevin brought
WPWA Program Director Denise Poyer to Washington to testify with him before the
House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands
about the Act’s significance for the Ocean State. Poyer emphasized the unique
qualities of the waterways impacted by the bill and their many contributions to
the region.
“[These
rivers] represent the core of our local economy and serve as the foundation of
our culture, our history, and our identity in the region,” said Poyer to the
Subcommittee. “Any investment in protecting and restoring these rivers is an
investment in our economy and in the future of our children and grandchildren.
Local businesses depend on clean and healthy rivers to attract tourists and
visitors. People are encouraged to come to our region and locate their homes
and businesses here because of the natural beauty that is so close to major
metropolitan centers.”
“These
rivers are not only an important part of our national heritage, they are a
critical part of our daily lives, especially as much of our economy relies on
the health of our waters,” said Langevin to the Subcommittee. “From Colonial
battlegrounds to Native American fishing grounds, the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed
offers diverse destinations for tourism, a vital industry to Rhode Island and
Connecticut. These rivers offer exceptional trout fishing, canoeing,
photography, and bird watching opportunities, with adjacent hiking and camping
for our sportsmen.”
The
legislation mandates a study on the “wild and scenic” values of segments of the
Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in Rhode Island and
Connecticut to evaluate which portions provide extraordinary natural, cultural
and recreational benefits that require special attention to maintain. Its
passage would allow a committee made up of state, local, tribal, non-profit,
recreational and agricultural representatives to proceed with an evaluation of
the portions that would best fit into a special classification under the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
These
segments would then be designated as eligible for existing federal funds.
In addition to providing for better upkeep of those areas, the designation
would prevent federal support for actions that would harm the rivers’
free-flowing condition, water quality, or outstanding resource values.
For
more information on the rivers affected by this legislation, visit the
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association’s website at www.wpwa.org.