President Trump Signs Wild And Scenic Rivers Legislation Into Law!

Wild And Scenic Rivers Legislation Is Now Law
President Trump today (Tuesday March 12) signed the Natural Resources Management Act which in part designates the rivers of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. This will provide federal protection to our rivers and allow for federal funding for projects that protect and promote the rivers. The Pawcatuck River forms the northern border of Charlestown.

The Act Also Permanently Authorizes and Funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Act makes the The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress in 1964 to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage. In that time it has provided $3.9 billion in state grants for more than 40,000 projects and protected 2.37 million acres of land. Each year, $900 million in royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas off the U.S. coastline are put into the fund. The fund has been reauthorized from year to year, but has also been allowed to lapse for years at a time. The Act signed today makes the fund permanent and ensures the funds will be collected and spent as intended. Everything from local hiking trails to wetlands conservation will benefit.

Protects Migratory Birds
The Neotropical Migratory Bird Act will be re-authorized and funded through 2022, protecting millions of acres of habitat for 368 different bird species that migrate between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

And Much More
This bipartisan bill had nearly unanimous support in the US House and Senate. You can read the full text of the bill.