I 

108TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2479

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide to the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts technical and financial assistance for management of the Connecticut River in those States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 16, 2003

Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut (for herself and Mr. OLVER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in 

addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a 

period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 

consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide to 

the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts technical 

and financial assistance for management of the Connecticut River in those States.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. LOWER CONNECTICUT RIVER PARTNERSHIP. 

4 (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 

5 (1) The Connecticut River in the States of Con6 necticut and Massachusetts is a scenic region of cit-
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1 ies and historic villages located in an internationally 

2 and nationally significant landscape of working 

3 farms, verdant forests, mountains, and broad fertile 

4 floodplains of New England’s longest river, the Con5 necticut River. 

6 (2) The Connecticut River and its tributaries 

7 provide outstanding fish and wildlife habitat, recre8 ation, and hydropower generation for the New Eng9 land region. 

10 (3) The Connecticut River has been recognized 

11 by Congress as part of the Silvio O. Conte National 

12 Fish and Wildlife Refuge, established by the Silvio 

13 O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act (16 

14 U.S.C. 668dd note; Public Law 102–212). 

15 (4) The demonstrated interest in stewardship of 

16 the River by the citizens living along the Connecticut 

17 River led to the Presidential designation of the River 

18 as one of 14 American Heritage Rivers on July 30, 

19 1998. 

20 (5) Where management of the River involves 

21 partnership with local communities and organiza22 tions, support for the partnership should be provided 

23 by the Secretary. 

24 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to au25 thorize the Secretary to provide to the States of Con-
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1 necticut and Massachusetts technical and financial assist2 ance for management of the River in those States. 

3 (c) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this section, 

4 the following definitions apply: 

5 (1) RIVER.—The term ‘‘River’’ means the Con6 necticut River. 

7 (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

8 the Secretary of the Interior. 

9 (3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means—

10 (A) the State of Connecticut; or 

11 (B) the State of Massachusetts. 

12 (d) ASSISTANCE FOR STATES.—

13 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide 

14 to the States technical and financial assistance in 

15 managing the River in cooperation and collaboration 

16 with local communities and regional planning agen17 cies, including assistance for the following: 

18 (A) Developing policies for water quality, 

19 flow management, and recreational boating for 

20 the River. 

21 (B) Developing protection plans for water 

22 quality in the River. 

23 (C) Developing a coordinated, collaborative 

24 approach on the part of the States for moni-
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1 toring the quality of the River for human use 

2 and ecological health. 

3 (D) Restoring and protecting riverbanks to 

4 improve water quality and aquatic and riparian 

5 habitat for the River. 

6 (E) Encouraging and assisting commu7 nities, farmers, and riverfront landowners in—

8 (i) establishing and protecting ripar9 ian areas; and 

10 (ii) addressing nonpoint source pollu11 tion. 

12 (F) Encouraging and assisting commu13 nities in—

14 (i) protecting shoreland immediately 

15 along the River; and 

16 (ii) managing and treating stormwater 

17 runoff directly into the River. 

18 (G) In cooperation with and with the con19 sent of dam owners—

20 (i) evaluating the decommissioning of 

21 uneconomic dams along the River; and 

22 (ii) restoring natural riverine habitat 

23 immediately along the River. 

24 (H) Protecting and restoring the habitat of 

25 native trout, anadromous fisheries, and other 
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1 outstanding fish and wildlife resources within or 

2 on the River. 

3 (I) Developing and promoting locally 

4 planned, approved, and managed networks of 

5 water trails on the River. 

6 (J) Supporting local stewardship. 

7 (K) Encouraging public access to the River 

8 from towns and cities in the Valley. 

9 (e) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than 10 per10 cent of the funds made available to any State under this 

11 section may be used for administrative costs. 

12 (f) COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES.—The 

13 Secretary shall encourage States receiving assistance 

14 under this section to work in coordination with units of 

15 local government and nonprofit organizations when car16 rying out activities listed in subsection (d).

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