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Breaking News:
March 12, 2019 The “Nashua Wild and Scenic Rivers Act” has been signed into law by the President! Sections of our Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers are now officially designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System! The “Nashua Wild and Scenic River Act” was included in the Natural Resources Management Act (S.47) that was passed by both the Senate and the House in February, and was, today, signed into law by the President. Read the Nashua River Wild and Scenic River Study Committee press release. Watch for information on a future public celebration, maybe in April. View Stewardship Plan and Full Appendices View “Nashua, Nissitissit, and Squannacook Rivers: Forever Wild and Scenic” Video View Upcoming Events View National Park Service "River Connections: Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers" Video |
OVERVIEW - MARCH 2019
Since its inception in 2015, the Nashua River Wild and Scenic Rivers Study Committee has worked to identify our river-related outstandingly remarkable resource values, consider the eligibility and suitability of the rivers for designation, and develop a voluntary stewardship plan with much public input. A major milestone in this process was reached this past spring with the acceptance by all eleven participating communities at their 2018 annual town meetings of the "Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Stewardship Plan" and its recommendation to seek federal designation of the rivers as "Wild and Scenic." The “Stewardship Plan” is a companion document to the “Study Report” currently being prepared by the National Park Service for congressional review. Numerous letters of support are being collected for inclusion in the Study Report. In September 2018 Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03) introduced a bill to Congress, the Nashua River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, that is authored by herself and Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02) that would add segments of the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by MA Senators Markey and Warren, and NH Senators Hassan and Shaheen, and was heard in the National Park sub-committee of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Nashua River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was included in S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act (‘federal lands package’) but did not proceed before the end of the 115th Congressional Session. Early in the 116th Congressional Session, S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, was brought to the U.S. Senate, and the Nashua River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was still included in this large package. On February 12, 2019 S. 47 passed in a 92 – 8 vote. On Feb. 26th, the Nashua Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, included in the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, with a vote of 363 to 62. The President signed the Act into law on March 12, 2019 thereby officially designating sections of the rivers as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. Now that designation has occured, the Study Committee will morph into the formal Stewardship Council, as described in the Stewardship Plan. Work to protect our outstandingly remarkable resources -- our biological diversity, scenic & recreational, and historical & cultural values -- will continue! |