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.

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Bill Number

HR 415

Introduced

Jan 11, 2007

Latest Action

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 887.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

Massachusetts Public Lands and Natural Resources Water Resources Development Wild rivers

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Summary

Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments of the Taunton River in Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Requires the river segments to be managed in accordance with the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, dated July 2005, including any amendment to such Plan, that the Secretary of the Interior determines to be consistent with this Act.

Authorizes the Secretary, in order to provide for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of each river segment, to enter into cooperative agreements, which may include provisions for financial and other assistance, with: (1) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including the political subdivisions of Massachusetts); (2) the Taunton River Stewardship Council; and (3) any appropriate nonprofit, as determined by the Secretary.

Bars the river segments from being: (1) administered as a unit of the National Park System; or (2) subject to the laws (including regulations) that govern the administration of such System.

Considers the zoning ordinances adopted by specified towns and cities, including any provision of the zoning ordinances related to the conservation of floodplains, wetlands, and watercourses associated with any river segment designated by this Act, to satisfy each standard and requirement under the Act regarding the prohibition on the federal acquisition of certain lands by condemnation for inclusion in any national, wild, scenic, or recreational river area.

Authorizes the Secretary, respecting each river segment, to only acquire parcels of land by donation or with the owner's consent. Prohibits the acquisition of any parcel by condemnation.

Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and private industry, to complete a report regarding the energy resources available on the lands and waters included in the segments of the Taunton River designated by this Act.

Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) being construed as affecting the authority or responsibility of Massachusetts to manage or regulate fish and resident wildlife, including the authority to regulate hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting; (2) being construed as limiting access for hunting, fishing, trapping, or recreational shooting; or (3) impacting the supply of domestically-produced energy resources.

Actions

Jul 17, 2008

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 887.
Jul 16, 2008

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 415.
Jul 16, 2008

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 242 - 175 (Roll no. 507).
Jul 16, 2008

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 16, 2008

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 242 - 175 (Roll no. 507).
Jul 16, 2008

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 188 - 227 (Roll no. 506).
Jul 16, 2008

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H6647)
Jul 16, 2008

DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wittman motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the bill back to the House with an amendment adding a new section entitled "Savings Clause."
Jul 16, 2008

Mr. Wittman (VA) moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H6645-6647; text: CR H6645-6646)
Jul 16, 2008

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jul 16, 2008

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 415.
Jul 16, 2008

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Boyda (KS) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Boyda (KS) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 16, 2008

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1339, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Boyda (KS) amendment.
Jul 16, 2008

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1339, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (UT) amendment.
Jul 16, 2008

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Shuler amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Shuler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 16, 2008

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1339, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Shuler amendment.
Jul 16, 2008

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Bishop (UT) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Bishop (UT) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 16, 2008

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 415.
Jul 16, 2008

The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael R. McNulty to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jul 16, 2008

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1339 and Rule XVIII.
Jul 16, 2008

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 415 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment.
Jul 16, 2008

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1339. (consideration: CR H6629-6648)
Jul 16, 2008

Rule H. Res. 1339 passed House.
Jul 14, 2008

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1339 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 415 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment.
Jul 8, 2008

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466.
Jul 8, 2008

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-735.
Jun 25, 2008

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 25, 2008

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 25, 2008

Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
Oct 30, 2007

Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 7, 2007

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Jan 11, 2007

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 11, 2007

Introduced in House

Amendments

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