I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2479
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide to the States of Con-
necticut and Massachusetts technical and financial assistance for man-
agement 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 fol-
lowing 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 com-
mittee 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 Con-
necticut River in those States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. LOWER CONNECTICUT RIVER PARTNERSHIP. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Connecticut River in the States of Con-
necticut and Massachusetts is a scenic region of cit-
ies and historic villages located in an internationally 
and nationally significant landscape of working 
farms, verdant forests, mountains, and broad fertile 
floodplains of New England’s longest river, the Con-
necticut River. 
(2) The Connecticut River and its tributaries 
provide outstanding fish and wildlife habitat, recre-
ation, and hydropower generation for the New Eng-
land region. 
(3) The Connecticut River has been recognized 
by Congress as part of the Silvio O. Conte National 
Fish and Wildlife Refuge, established by the Silvio 
O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act (16 
U.S.C. 668dd note; Public Law 102–212). 
(4) The demonstrated interest in stewardship of 
the River by the citizens living along the Connecticut 
River led to the Presidential designation of the River 
as one of 14 American Heritage Rivers on July 30, 
1998. 
(5) Where management of the River involves 
partnership with local communities and organiza-
tions, support for the partnership should be provided 
by the Secretary. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to au-
thorize the Secretary to provide to the States of Con-
necticut and Massachusetts technical and financial assist-
ance for management of the River in those States. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this section, 
the following definitions apply: 
(1) RIVER.—The term ‘‘River’’ means the Con-
necticut River. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means—
(A) the State of Connecticut; or 
(B) the State of Massachusetts. 
(d) ASSISTANCE FOR STATES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide 
to the States technical and financial assistance in 
managing the River in cooperation and collaboration 
with local communities and regional planning agen-
cies, including assistance for the following: 
(A) Developing policies for water quality, 
flow management, and recreational boating for 
the River. 
(B) Developing protection plans for water 
quality in the River. 
(C) Developing a coordinated, collaborative 
approach on the part of the States for moni-
toring the quality of the River for human use 
and ecological health. 
(D) Restoring and protecting riverbanks to 
improve water quality and aquatic and riparian 
habitat for the River. 
(E) Encouraging and assisting commu-
nities, farmers, and riverfront landowners in—
(i) establishing and protecting ripar-
ian areas; and 
(ii) addressing nonpoint source pollu-
tion. 
(F) Encouraging and assisting commu-
nities in—
(i) protecting shoreland immediately 
along the River; and 
(ii) managing and treating stormwater 
runoff directly into the River. 
(G) In cooperation with and with the con-
sent of dam owners—
(i) evaluating the decommissioning of 
uneconomic dams along the River; and 
(ii) restoring natural riverine habitat 
immediately along the River. 
(H) Protecting and restoring the habitat of 
native trout, anadromous fisheries, and other
outstanding fish and wildlife resources within or 
on the River. 
(I) Developing and promoting locally 
planned, approved, and managed networks of 
water trails on the River. 
(J) Supporting local stewardship. 
(K) Encouraging public access to the River 
from towns and cities in the Valley. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than 10 per-
cent of the funds made available to any State under this 
section may be used for administrative costs. 
(f) COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES.—The 
Secretary shall encourage States receiving assistance 
under this section to work in coordination with units of 
local government and nonprofit organizations when car-
rying out activities listed in subsection (d).
Æ