Rob Simmons

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce my first legislative initiative--a bill to study the inclusion of Connecticut's Eightmile River as part of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. Eastern Connecticut is fortunate to have a wealth of natural beauty, such as the Eightmile River. The Eightmile River and the watershed it supports is an outstanding ecological system. The river has been identified as an exemplary occurrence of one of Connecticut's most imperiled natural communities. Its streams are free-flowing, contain excellent water quality and a diversity of aquatic habitats and fish species, including native and stocked trout. The Eightmile River is also an important recreational resource and figures prominently in the character of the communities in which it flows. Unfortunately, the Eightmile River is not likely to remain in outstanding condition without a concerted community effort to protect it. That's why on my very first day in Congress, I am introducing a bill authorizing the National Park Service to study and determine whether the Eightmile River is eligible for designation as a National Wild and Scenic River--beginning the process of achieving some of the strongest river protection possible while also meeting community and landowner needs. For more than 30 years, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has safeguarded some of the nation's most precious rivers. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act pronounced that certain select rivers of the nation that possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Designated rivers receive protection to preserve their-free-flowing condition, to protect the water quality and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes. I believe Connecticut's Eightmile River possesses all of these qualities, deserves all of these protections and should be looked at by the National Park Service as a important addition to the National Wild and Scenic River System. I am very proud to submit this legislation at the request of my constituents in East Haddam, Salem and Lyme and honored to have the strong support of my colleagues from Connecticut.