I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 642 
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the portion of the 
Myakka River lying within Sarasota County, Florida as a component 
of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 23, 2025 
Mr. STEUBE (for himself and Mr. BUCHANAN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate 
the portion of the Myakka River lying within 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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Myakka Wild and Sce-
nic River Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Public Law 95–625 amended section 5 of 
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276) to 
require the study of the Myakka River for potential 
inclusion in the national wild and scenic rivers sys-
tem. 
(2) The study determined the Myakka River, 
was eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System. 
(3) The State of Florida has demonstrated its 
commitment to protecting this river by the enact-
ment of the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designa-
tion and Protection Act (Florida Statute Chapter 
258.501). 
(4) The Florida county of Sarasota and the cit-
ies of Venice and North Port have demonstrated 
their commitment to protect this river in their com-
prehensive land use plans, local ordinances, and land 
development regulations. 
(5) The desire for designation of this river as 
a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System has been demonstrated through strong pub-
lic 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, ag-
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ricultural interests, landowners, environmental, and 
nonprofit organizations. 
(6) A 12-mile segment of the Myakka River is 
within the Myakka River State Park with an addi-
tional 22-mile segment containing conservation lands 
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. 
(a) 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 new paragraph: 
‘‘(lll) MYAKKA RIVER, FLORIDA.—The 34- 
mile segments, within Sarasota County referred to in 
this paragraph, to be administered by the Secretary 
of the Interior, in partnership with the Myakka 
River Management Coordinating Council.’’. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The following segments of the 
Myakka River, within Sarasota County, to be administered 
in the following classifications: 
‘‘(A) The approximately 8.0-mile segment 
from the Manatee County/Sarasota County line 
to S.R. 72, as a scenic river. 
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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 the State of Florida Department of 
Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation 
and Parks, appropriate local political jurisdictions of 
the State, the county of Sarasota, City of North 
Port, City of Venice and appropriate local planning 
and non-profit organizations. 
(2) EFFECT OF AGREEMENT.—Administration 
of the Myakka River by the Secretary of the Interior 
through the use of cooperative agreements shall 
not— 
(A) constitute National Park Service ad-
ministration of the Myakka River for purposes 
of section 10(c) of such Act ( U.S.C. 1281(c)); 
or 
(B) cause the Myakka River to be consid-
ered a unit of the National Park System. 
(3) PUBLICLY OWNED LANDS.—Nothing in this 
Act or an agreement under this Act shall affect the 
management of publicly or privately owned lands 
within the boundaries of the Myakka River water-
shed by the agencies having jurisdiction over the 
lands, in accordance with the statutory authority of 
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Florida Statute 258.501 and the mission of such 
agencies. 
(4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SUP-
PORT.—The Secretary may provide technical assist-
ance, staff support, and funding to assist in the up-
dating and implementation of the comprehensive 
management plan. 
(5) ACQUISITION OF LAND.—the authority of 
the Secretary to acquire land for the Myakka River 
segments shall be limited to acquisition by donation 
or acquisition with the consent of the owner thereof. 
(6) NO CONDEMNATION.—No land or interest 
in land may be acquired for the Myakka River seg-
ments by condemnation. 
SEC. 5. MYAKKA RIVER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL. 
(a) EXISTING STRUCTURE.—the Secretary shall co-
ordinate the management responsibilities of the Secretary 
with the Council in the updating and implementation of 
the comprehensive management plan for the Myakka 
River. 
(b) REPRESENTATIVE FROM DOI.—The Secretary 
shall select a representative who shall be added to the 
Council to represent the National Park Service. 
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(c) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.—Other interested par-
ties may be added to the Council, in accordance with the 
statutory authority under Florida Statute 258.501. 
(d) COORDINATION WITH COUNCIL.—The Secretary 
shall coordinate the management responsibilities with the 
Council in the updating and implementation of the Man-
agement plan for the Myakka River, to assist the Sec-
retary in carrying out the management responsibilities of 
the Secretary under this Act. 
Æ 
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