HR 642
Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
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Bill overview
This bill designates a 34-mile segment of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It aims to protect and manage this river through collaboration between federal and state agencies, local governments, and conservation groups. The bill establishes specific classifications for different sections of the river, outlining their scenic, wild, or recreational designations, and requires a comprehensive management plan to ensure long-term preservation.
Key provisions
- Designates 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
- Establishes specific classifications (scenic, wild, recreational) for different segments of the river.
- Requires the development and implementation of a comprehensive management plan by the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council.
- Authorizes cooperative agreements between the Secretary of the Interior and state/local entities for river management.
- Limits the Secretary’s authority to acquire land to donation or owner consent.
- Prohibits land acquisition through condemnation.
- Designates a representative from the National Park Service to serve on the Myakka River Management Council.
- Clarifies definitions related to the Myakka River and the Council.
Who is affected
- State of Florida
- Sarasota County
- City of Venice
- City of North Port
- Federal Government (Department of the Interior)
Notable changes
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 642
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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.
This Act may be cited as the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
.
The Congress finds the following:
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 system.
The study determined the Myakka River, was eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
The State of Florida has demonstrated its commitment to protecting this river by the enactment of the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Protection Act (Florida Statute Chapter 258.501).
The Florida county of Sarasota and the cities of Venice and North Port have demonstrated their commitment to protect this river in their comprehensive land use plans, local ordinances, and land development regulations.
The desire for designation of this 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, environmental, and nonprofit organizations.
A 12-mile segment of the Myakka River is within the Myakka River State Park with an additional 22-mile segment containing conservation lands held in public ownership or conservation easements within the Myakka River Watershed.
The approximately 8.0-mile segment from the Manatee County/Sarasota County line to S.R. 72, as a scenic river.
The approximately 11.2-mile segment, from S.R. 72 to Laurel Road, as a wild river.
The approximately 1.9-mile segment, from Laurel Road to Border Road, as a scenic river.
The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from Border Road to just south of the I-75 Bridge, as a recreational river.
The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from south of the I-75 Bridge to Snook Haven, as a scenic river.
The approximately 3.2-mile segment, from Snook Haven to Ramblers Rest, as a wild river.
The approximately 2.7-mile segment, from Ramblers Rest to U.S. 41, as a scenic river.
The approximately 4.0-mile segment, from U.S. 41 to the Charlotte County Line, as a scenic river.
In this section and section 5:
The term Myakka River means the segments of the Myakka River in the State of Florida designated as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by paragraph (_) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)), as added by this Act.
The term Council means the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council established pursuant to Florida Statute Chapter 258.501.
The terms comprehensive management plan and plan mean the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Management Plan developed by the Council 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)).
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
In order 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 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.
Administration of the Myakka River by the Secretary of the Interior through the use of cooperative agreements shall not—
constitute National Park Service administration of the Myakka River for purposes of section 10(c) of such Act ( U.S.C. 1281(c)); or
cause the Myakka River to be considered a unit of the National Park System.
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 watershed by the agencies having jurisdiction over the lands, in accordance with the statutory authority of Florida Statute 258.501 and the mission of such agencies.
The Secretary may provide technical assistance, staff support, and funding to assist in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive management plan.
No land or interest in land may be acquired for the Myakka River segments by condemnation.
the Secretary shall coordinate the management responsibilities of the Secretary with the Council in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive management plan for the Myakka River.
The Secretary shall select a representative who shall be added to the Council to represent the National Park Service.
Other interested parties may be added to the Council, in accordance with the statutory authority under Florida Statute 258.501.
The Secretary shall coordinate the management responsibilities with the Council in the updating and implementation of the Management plan for the Myakka River, to assist the Secretary in carrying out the management responsibilities of the Secretary under this Act.