[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2270 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2270
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the portion of the
Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, as a component of the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 14, 2025
Mr. Scott of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the portion of the
Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, as a component of the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) section 5(a)(70) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16
U.S.C. 1276(a)(70)) requires the study of the Myakka River for
potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System;
(2) the study referred to in paragraph (1) determined that
the Myakka River was eligible for inclusion in the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
(3) the State of Florida has demonstrated the commitment of
the State of Florida to protecting the Myakka River by enacting
the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Protection Act
(section 258.501, Florida Statutes);
(4) Sarasota County, Florida, and the cities of Venice and
North Port, Florida, have demonstrated their commitment to
protecting the Myakka River in comprehensive land use plans,
local ordinances, and land development regulations;
(5) the desire for designation of the Myakka River as a
component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System has
been demonstrated through strong public support, State and
local agency support, and the endorsement of designation by the
Myakka River Management Coordinating Council, which represents
a broad cross-section of State and local agencies, agricultural
interests, landowners, and environmental and nonprofit
organizations; and
(6) a 12-mile segment of the Myakka River is within the
Myakka River State Park, with an additional 22-mile segment
containing conservation land held in public ownership or
conservation easements within the Myakka River watershed.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MYAKKA RIVER, FLORIDA, AS A COMPONENT OF THE
NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SYSTEM.
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:
``(233) Myakka river, florida.--The following segments of
the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, totaling
approximately 34 miles, to be administered by the Secretary of
the Interior, in partnership with the Myakka River Management
Coordinating Council, in the following classes:
``(A) The approximately 8.0-mile segment from the
Manatee County/Sarasota County line to S.R. 72, as a
scenic river.
``(B) The approximately 11.2-mile segment, from
S.R. 72 to Laurel Road, as a wild river.
``(C) The approximately 1.9-mile segment, from
Laurel Road to Border Road, as a scenic river.
``(D) The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from
Border Road to south of the I-75 Bridge, as a
recreational river.
``(E) The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from
south of the I-75 Bridge to Snook Haven, as a scenic
river.
``(F) The approximately 3.2-mile segment, from
Snook Haven to Ramblers Rest, as a wild river.
``(G) The approximately 2.7-mile segment, from
Ramblers Rest to U.S. 41, as a scenic river.
``(H) The approximately 4.0-mile segment, from U.S.
41 to the Charlotte County Line, as a scenic river.''.
SEC. 4. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO MYAKKA RIVER.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Comprehensive management plan.--The term
``comprehensive management plan'' means the Myakka River Wild
and Scenic Management Plan developed by the Council, which
shall be considered to satisfy the requirements for the
comprehensive management plan under section 3(d) of the Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(d)).
(2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Myakka River
Management Coordinating Council established pursuant to section
258.501, Florida Statutes.
(3) Myakka river.--The term ``Myakka River'' means the
segments of the Myakka River in the State that are designated
as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by
paragraph (233) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as added by section 3).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Florida.
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) Use authorized.--To provide for the long-term
protection, preservation, and enhancement of the Myakka River,
the Secretary shall coordinate administration responsibilities
under this section, and may enter into cooperative agreements
pursuant to sections 10(e) and 11(b)(1) of the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(e), 1282(b)(1)), with--
(A) the Division of Recreation and Parks of the
Department of Environmental Protection of the State;
(B) appropriate local political jurisdictions of
the State;
(C) Sarasota County, Florida;
(D) the city of North Port, Florida;
(E) the city of Venice, Florida; and
(F) appropriate local planning and nonprofit
organizations.
(2) Effect of agreement.--The administration of the Myakka
River by the Secretary through the use of cooperative
agreements entered into under paragraph (1) shall not--
(A) constitute National Park Service administration
of the Myakka River for purposes of section 10(c) of
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(c)); or
(B) cause the Myakka River to be considered a unit
of the National Park System.
(3) Publicly or privately owned land.--Nothing in this
section or a cooperative agreement entered into under paragraph
(1) affects the management of publicly or privately owned land
within the boundaries of the Myakka River watershed by an
agency having jurisdiction over the land, in accordance with
section 258.501, Florida Statutes, and the mission of the
applicable agency.
(4) Technical assistance and other support.--The Secretary
may provide technical assistance, staff support, and funding to
assist in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive
management plan.
(5) Acquisition of land.--
(A) In general.--The authority of the Secretary to
acquire land for the Myakka River shall be limited to--
(i) acquisition by donation; and
(ii) acquisition with the consent of the
owner of the land.
(B) No condemnation.--No land or interest in land
may be acquired for the Myakka River by condemnation.
(c) Myakka River Management Council.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall coordinate the
management responsibilities of the Secretary with the Council
in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive
management plan.
(2) Representative from nps.--The Secretary shall select a
representative to be added to the Council to represent the
National Park Service.
(3) Other additional members.--Nothing in this section
affects the authority to add other interested representatives
to the Council in accordance with section 258.501, Florida
Statutes.
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