{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://buchanan.house.gov/2022/9/lmrpasseshouse", "Buchanan Bill to Protect Little Manatee River Passes U.S. House", "2022-09-22", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Vern Buchanan", "B001260", "buchanan.house.gov", "buchanan", "https://buchanan.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Vern Buchanan today announced that his legislation, the Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act, has passed the U.S. House with broad bipartisan support.\n\nBuchanan\u2019s Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act (HR 4358) aims to designate the approximately 51-mile-long segment of the river, beginning at its source in southeastern Hillsborough County flowing downstream to the point at which the river enters Tampa Bay, as a scenic river. In January, the House Natural Resources Committee amended Buchanan\u2019s bill to authorize a formal National Park Service (NPS) study of the river before an official designation can occur.\n\n\u201cProtecting Florida\u2019s beautiful lands and pristine waterways is one of my top priorities,\u201d said Buchanan. \u201cDesignating the Little Manatee River as \u2018scenic\u2019 will ensure that it is kept in its current, pristine condition for future generations to enjoy. I\u2019m hopeful the U.S. Senate will approve this bill promptly and send this important legislation to the president\u2019s desk for signature.\u201d\n\nDesignating the river as scenic would add Little Manatee River to the National Park Service\u2019s Wild and Scenic River System, whose primary goal is to conserve free-flowing rivers across the United States.\n\nThe designation will protect this river for public enjoyment without the fear of intrusive development. The designation ensures the river remains available for a full range of recreational activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing.\n\nHillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White said, \u201cFrom canoeing and fishing for bass or panfish upriver to skiing and fishing for various saltwater species downriver, this natural treasure has much to offer in terms of recreation and scenic beauty. I have spent a lifetime enjoying all that this river has to offer and my hope is to see it preserved for many more generations of Hillsborough County residents to enjoy. We are blessed to have such a beautiful river right in our own backyard.\u201d\n\nChairman of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge said, \u201cManatee County is home to some of the most beautiful waterways in the state of Florida. I commend Congressman Buchanan for fighting to protect the Little Manatee River so that everyone can enjoy its wildlife, recreation and beautiful scenery for years to come.\u201d\n\nOnce formally added to the National Park Service\u2019s Wild and Scenic River System, the NPS would collaborate with local government officials in Florida to develop a management plan for the Little Manatee River. The management plan must include how the existing natural environment will be preserved including allowing for continued public use. The plan is designed to achieve the \u201cgoal of protecting and enhancing the values that caused it to be designated.\u201d\n\nThe National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 to safeguard rivers and encourage robust river management that promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection. The Loxahatchee River and the Wekiva River are the only rivers in Florida currently recognized under the federal program.\n\nThe Little Manatee River is also recognized at the state level as an \u2018Outstanding Florida Water\u2019 and is one of the most pristine blackwater rivers in the state.\n\nBuchanan has a long history fighting to protect water quality and the environment in Florida and elsewhere, including leading efforts in Congress to increase federal funding into red tide research and reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Buchanan has also chaired hearings of Florida\u2019s 29-member congressional delegation to discuss some of the most pressing water quality issues affecting the Sunshine State, including harmful algal blooms, the Everglades, offshore drilling and wildlife conservation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://buchanan.house.gov/2022/9/lmrpasseshouse"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5749591402709484, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}