Housatonic Wild and Scenic River Act of 2022

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Housatonic River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Housatonic Wild and Scenic River Act of 2022 2. Housatonic Wild and Scenic River, Connecticut (a) Amendments to Wild and Scenic River Act Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1274(a) (231) Housatonic River, Connecticut (A) In general The following segments of the Housatonic River in the State of Connecticut, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior: (i) The approximately 14.9-mile segment from the Massachusetts-Connecticut boundary to the covered bridge in West Cornwall, as a scenic river. (ii) The approximately 4.1-mile segment from the covered bridge in West Cornwall to the Cornwall Bridge, as a recreational river. (iii) The approximately 9.1-mile segment from the Cornwall Bridge to the Route 341 bridge in Kent, as a scenic river. (iv) The approximately 12.2-mile segment from the Route 341 bridge in Kent to the Boardman Bridge in New Milford, as a recreational river. (B) Effects on hydroelectric facilities The designation of the river segments in subparagraph (A) shall not— (i) impact or alter the existing terms of permitting, licensing, or operation of— (I) the Falls Village Hydroelectric Generating Station located in Falls Village, Connecticut (FERC P–2576); or (II) the Bulls Bridge Hydroelectric Generating Station located in New Milford, Connecticut (FERC P–2576); or (ii) preclude the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from licensing, relicensing, or otherwise authorizing the operation or continued operation of the facilities named in clause (i). . (b) Management (1) Process The Housatonic River segments shall be managed in accordance with— (A) the Management Plan; and (B) such amendments to the Management Plan as the Secretary determines are consistent with this Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq. (2) Comprehensive management plan The Management Plan shall be considered to satisfy the requirements for a comprehensive management plan under section 3(d) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1274(d) (3) Cooperative management (A) In general To provide for long-term protection, preservation, and enhancement of the Housatonic River segments, the Secretary shall coordinate management responsibilities under this Act, 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) (i) the State of Connecticut; (ii) the towns of Sharon, Canaan, Cornwall, Salisbury, New Milford, Kent, and North Canaan, Connecticut; and (iii) appropriate planning, environmental, and recreational organizations, including— (I) local, regional, State, and multistate organizations; and (II) any other appropriate organizations, as determined by the Housatonic River Commission, or its successor organization, as defined in the Management Plan. (B) Cooperative agreements Each cooperative agreement entered into under this paragraph shall be consistent with the Management Plan and may include provisions for financial or other assistance from the United States. (4) Zoning ordinances For the purposes of the Housatonic River segments, the zoning ordinances adopted by the municipalities named in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) shall be deemed to satisfy the standards and requirements of section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1277(c) (5) Acquisition of lands The authority of the Secretary to acquire lands for the Housatonic River segments shall be— (A) limited to acquisition by donation or acquisition with the consent of the owner thereof; and (B) subject to the additional criteria set forth in the Management Plan. (6) No condemnation No land or interest in land may be acquired for the Housatonic River segments by condemnation. (7) Relation to the National Park System Notwithstanding section 10(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1281(c) (A) administered as a part or unit of the National Park System; or (B) subject to regulations that govern the National Park System. (8) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Secretary The term Secretary (B) Management Plan The term Management Plan (C) Housatonic River segments The term Housatonic River segments

Summary: Housatonic Wild and Scenic River Act of 2022 This bill designates specified segments of the Housatonic River in Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The designation of the river segments must not impact or alter the existing terms of permitting, licensing, or operation of the Falls Village Hydroelectric Generating Station located in Falls Village, Connecticut, or the Bulls Bridge Hydroelectric Generating Station located in New Milford, Connecticut. The designation of the river segments must also not preclude the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from licensing, relicensing, or otherwise authorizing the operation or continued operation of those facilities. The authority of the Department of the Interior to acquire lands for the river segments shall be limited to acquisition by donation or acquisition with the consent of the owner, and subject to the additional criteria set forth in the Housatonic River Management Plan. No land or interest in land may be acquired for the river segments by condemnation.