Langevin, Courtney,
Cicilline Applaud Passage of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act
Washington,
D.C. – Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI), Joe Courtney (D-CT) and David
Cicilline (D-RI) applauded today’s passage of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed
Protection Act, legislation that Langevin and Courtney first introduced in
2010. Langevin reintroduced the bill with Courtney and Cicilline in the House
in 2013. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.
The
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act, which passed today as part of the FY15
National Defense Authorization Act, will pave the way for the Pawcatuck River
and other South County and Southeast Connecticut waterways to receive federal
funds and protections under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
“This legislation has been a long time coming, and its passage finally recognizes the important role these waterways play in the Rhode Island and Connecticut economies,” said Langevin. “We must preserve the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed for the sake of our tourism, fishing and recreation industries, and extending the protections provided by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to this area would ensure the long-term health of this important natural resource.”
“The
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed is one of our region’s greatest natural treasures, and
I am thrilled that our many years of advocacy for the watershed are paying
dividends. Our coastal communities would benefit greatly from the environmental
preservation funding that comes with a Wild and Scenic River designation, and I
look forward to seeing this process move forward,” said Courtney.
“The
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed and all of Rhode Island’s waterways give an economic
boost to local communities and provide residents and visitors access to the
natural beauty of our state. This bill will provide effective federal support
to ensure our rivers stay healthy for years to come,” said Cicilline. “I
congratulate my colleague Congressman Langevin whose strong advocacy was essential
in advancing this legislation.”
The
legislation mandates a study on the rivers contained within the 300 square mile
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Any portions that are
deemed appropriate for classification under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System would then be eligible for existing federal funds. The legislation is
supported by the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental
Management, the State of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection,
the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, the Nature Conservancy and Save the
Bay.