Buchanan offers two bipartisan bills to designate Florida rivers as national scenic rivers

Two bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) would designate segments of Florida’s 51-mile-long Little Manatee River and parts of Kissimmee River as national scenic rivers.

“Protecting Florida’s beautiful lands and pristine waterways should always be a top priority,” Rep. Buchanan said. 

Rep. Buchanan on July 6 sponsored the Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act, H.R. 4358, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) to add Little Manatee River to the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic River System, which acts to conserve free-flowing rivers across the United States, according to information provided by Rep. Buchanan’s office.

“Designating the Little Manatee River as scenic will ensure that it is kept in its current pristine condition for future generations to enjoy,” said Rep. Buchanan.

Rep. Buchanan and Rep. Soto on July 9 also introduced the bipartisan H.R. 4404, which would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of Florida’s Kissimmee River as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, according to the congressional record bill summary.

The designations would protect the rivers from intrusive development and ensure they remain available for recreational activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing, the information says, noting that once formally added to the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic River System, the National Park Service collaborates with local government officials in Florida to develop a management plan for the rivers.