congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12464-5
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12464-5 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | OMNIBUS PARKS BILL | SENATE | SENATE | ALLOTHER | S12464 | S12465 | [{"name": "Bob Smith", "role": "speaking"}] | [{"congress": "104", "type": "S", "number": "1174"}, {"congress": "104", "type": "S", "number": "1174"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. S12464 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Senate] [Pages S12464-S12465] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] OMNIBUS PARKS BILL Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act, which was adopted unanimously by the Senate. This legislation contains numerous provisions affecting 41 States to preserve and protect our Nation's scenic rivers and historic land areas. I am pleased that, after many days of negotiations, we have reached agreement on this important environmental legislation. Included in this comprehensive package is legislation that Senator Gregg and I introduced on August 10, 1995, to designate the Lamprey River in New Hampshire as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Lamprey Wild and Scenic River Act, S. 1174, will designate an 11.5-mile segment of the Lamprey River as wild and scenic. Following introduction, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the Lamprey bill, which was later approved unanimously by the committee. The history of this legislation goes back almost 5 years when Senator Rudman and I introduced the Lamprey River study bill in February 1991, which was signed into law by President Bush later that year. Once the National Park Service determined the [[Page S12465]] Lamprey River's eligibility for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a local advisory committee was formed to work with local communities, landowners, the National Park Service, and New Hampshire's Environment Department in preparing a comprehensive management plan. This management plan was completed in January 1995. The Lamprey River management plan was subsequently endorsed by the advisory committee as well as the local governments affected by this designation. The primary criteria for my sponsorship of this legislation was the support of the local communities. After the towns of Lee, Durham, and Newmarket all voted in favor of this designation, it received my enthusiastic support. The Lamprey River is well deserving of this designation for a number of reasons. Not only is the river listed on the 1982 National Park Service's inventory of outstanding rivers, but it has almost been recognized by the State of New Hampshire as the ``most important coastal river for anadromous fish in the State.'' Herring, shad, and salmon are among the anadromous species found in the river. In fact, New Hampshire fishing maps describe the Lamprey as ``a truly exceptional river offering a vast variety of fishing. It contains every type of stream and river fish you could expect to find in New England.'' The Lamprey is approximately 60 miles in length and serves as the major tributary for the Great Bay, which is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The Great Bay Refuge is also nearby, which was established several years ago following the closure of Pease Air Force Base. The preservation of the Lamprey is a significant component to protecting this entire ecosystem. The 11.5-mile segment, as proposed by our legislation, has been the focus of local protection efforts for many years. The towns of Lee, Durham, and Newmarket, local conservationists, the State government, as well as the congressional delegation have all come together in support of this legislation. I believe the management philosophy adopted by the advisory committee best articulates our goals for this legislation: ``* * * management of the river must strike a balance among desires to protect the river as an ecosystem, maintain the river for legitimate community use, and protect the interests and property rights of those who own its shorelands.'' In conclusion, Mr. President, I congratulate Senate majority leader Lott, Senator Murkowski and others in negotiating an agreement on this comprehensive legislation. In addition, I commend all of the members of the Lamprey River Advisory Committee, especially Sharon Meeker of Lee, who served as committee chair, Judith Spang of Durham, and Richard Wellington of Lee. All have worked very hard on the Lamprey River legislation and have traveled to Washington to testify on its behalf. I am extremely pleased that, at last, the fruits of their labor will be rewarded with the adoption of the omnibus parks bill--one of the most significant environmental accomplishments of the 104th Congress. ____________________ |