A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for study for potential designation as a wild and scenic river, and for other purposes.

Summary of Bill: S. 4595 (119th Congress)

Purpose and Intent

• S. 4595 seeks to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for study for potential designation as a wild and scenic river, and to authorize related actions under the Act.
• The bill aims to initiate a formal study process to determine whether portions of the Mullica River watershed meet criteria for protection and designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers system.

Key Provisions and Changes

• Study Designation under Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: The bill directs that the Mullica River watershed be designated for study to assess eligibility for wild and scenic river status. This does not immediately designate the river as wild and scenic; rather, it triggers a formal study process.
• Agency Involvement and Process: The study would be conducted under the framework of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Typically, this involves collaboration among federal agencies (e.g., Department of the Interior or relevant agencies) and may include resource inventories, ecological assessments, and public consultation.
• Designation Criteria Review: The study would evaluate whether segments of the Mullica River watershed meet the criteria for wild, scenic, or recreational river designations, considering factors such as water quality, natural values, and the potential for recreational use and protection.
• Potential Protections and Management: While the bill focuses on study and potential designation, designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act can impose management protections designed to preserve the river’s free-flowing condition and its “outstandingly remarkable” values (e.g., scenic, ecological, cultural, recreational values). The study would help determine appropriate protections and land management needs.
• Reporting and Timelines: As with typical studies under this Act, the bill would likely require periodic reporting on findings, cost estimates, and recommendations to Congress, though exact timelines are specified in the bill text (not provided here).

Who/What Would Be Affected

• Mullica River Watershed (New Jersey): Primary subject of the study and potential designation process.
• Local Communities and Stakeholders: Residents, recreational users, conservation organizations, and local governments may participate in public meetings and comment periods and could be affected by management decisions if designation proceeds.
• Federal Agencies: Agencies responsible for implementing the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would conduct the study and, if designation advances, implement protective management measures.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

• Introduced and Read Twice: The bill was introduced and read twice in the Senate.
• Referral to Committee: Referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for consideration.
• Cosponsors: Includes Senate co-sponsors Andy Kim and Cory Booker, indicating bipartisan support at the sponsor level.
• Next Steps (likely): If advanced by the committee, the bill could move to a full Senate vote. If designated for study, a formal study period would proceed under the standards of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, followed by recommendations and potential further legislative action.

Notes

• The text provided does not include specific funding amounts, study duration, or precise criteria thresholds; those details would be found in the bill’s full text and accompanying statements, schedules, or committee reports.
• This summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to study the Mullica River watershed for potential wild and scenic designation, not an actual designation at this stage.