July 14, 2025
Mr. Scott of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the portion of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds that—
(1)
section 5(a)(70) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a)(70)) requires the study of the Myakka River for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
(2)
the study referred to in paragraph (1) determined that the Myakka River was eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
(3)
the State of Florida has demonstrated the commitment of the State of Florida to protecting the Myakka River by enacting the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Protection Act (section 258.501, Florida Statutes);
(4)
Sarasota County, Florida, and the cities of Venice and North Port, Florida, have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the Myakka River in comprehensive land use plans, local ordinances, and land development regulations;
(5)
the desire for designation of the Myakka 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, and environmental and nonprofit organizations; and
(6)
a 12-mile segment of the Myakka River is within the Myakka River State Park, with an additional 22-mile segment containing conservation land held in public ownership or conservation easements within the Myakka River watershed.
Sec. 3. Designation of Myakka River, Florida, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(233) Myakka River, Florida
The following segments of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, totaling approximately 34 miles, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in partnership with the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council, in the following classes:
(A)
The approximately 8.0-mile segment from the Manatee County/Sarasota County line to S.R. 72, as a scenic river.
(B)
The approximately 11.2-mile segment, from S.R. 72 to Laurel Road, as a wild river.
(C)
The approximately 1.9-mile segment, from Laurel Road to Border Road, as a scenic river.
(D)
The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from Border Road to south of the I–75 Bridge, as a recreational river.
(E)
The approximately 1.5-mile segment, from south of the I–75 Bridge to Snook Haven, as a scenic river.
(F)
The approximately 3.2-mile segment, from Snook Haven to Ramblers Rest, as a wild river.
(G)
The approximately 2.7-mile segment, from Ramblers Rest to U.S. 41, as a scenic river.
(H)
The approximately 4.0-mile segment, from U.S. 41 to the Charlotte County Line, as a scenic river.
Sec. 4. Special requirements applicable to Myakka River
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Comprehensive management plan
The term comprehensive management plan means the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Management Plan developed by the Council, which 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)).
(2) Council
The term Council means the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council established pursuant to section 258.501, Florida Statutes.
(3) Myakka river
The term Myakka River means the segments of the Myakka River in the State that are designated as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by paragraph (233) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as added by section 3).
(4) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(5) State
The term State means the State of Florida.
(b) Cooperative agreements
(1) Use authorized
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—
(A)
the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection of the State;
(B)
appropriate local political jurisdictions of the State;
(C)
Sarasota County, Florida;
(D)
the city of North Port, Florida;
(E)
the city of Venice, Florida; and
(F)
appropriate local planning and nonprofit organizations.
(2) Effect of agreement
The administration of the Myakka River by the Secretary through the use of cooperative agreements entered into under paragraph (1) shall not—
(A)
constitute National Park Service administration of the Myakka River for purposes of section 10(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1281(c)); or
(B)
cause the Myakka River to be considered a unit of the National Park System.
(3) Publicly or privately owned land
Nothing in this section or a cooperative agreement entered into under paragraph (1) affects the management of publicly or privately owned land within the boundaries of the Myakka River watershed by an agency having jurisdiction over the land, in accordance with section 258.501, Florida Statutes, and the mission of the applicable agency.
(4) Technical assistance and other support
The Secretary may provide technical assistance, staff support, and funding to assist in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive management plan.
(5) Acquisition of land
(A) In general
The authority of the Secretary to acquire land for the Myakka River shall be limited to—
(i)
acquisition by donation; and
(ii)
acquisition with the consent of the owner of the land.
(B) No condemnation
No land or interest in land may be acquired for the Myakka River by condemnation.
(c) Myakka River Management Council
(1) In general
The Secretary shall coordinate the management responsibilities of the Secretary with the Council in the updating and implementation of the comprehensive management plan.
(2) Representative from NPS
The Secretary shall select a representative to be added to the Council to represent the National Park Service.
(3) Other additional members
Nothing in this section affects the authority to add other interested representatives to the Council in accordance with section 258.501, Florida Statutes.