WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Vermont Delegation this week announced the advancement of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act, which passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) with bipartisan support. This bill takes an important step in protecting the ecological, recreational, and economic value of these Northern Vermont waterways. It was the first bill introduced as a full delegation this Congress.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), member of the Senate ENR Committee, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) released the following statement:
“Vermont’s rivers and waterways are essential to a healthy ecology, a strong outdoor recreation and tourism economy, and the natural beauty of our state. Protecting these natural resources for the next generation of Vermonters is critical. We are encouraged to see the bipartisan advancement of our bill through the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee and will continue to urge our colleagues to support its passage.”
A broad coalition of local municipalities, cultural and regional groups, and environmental conservation groups have supported the request for a wild and scenic river study of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in recent years, including the organizations listed below.
Supporters:
Town of Brighton
· Town of Maidstone
· Town of Bloomfield
· Unified Towns and Gores of Essex County (Averill, Avery’s Gore, Ferdinand, Lewis, Warrens Gore, Warner’s Grant)
· Abenaki Nation
· Northeast Vermont Development Authority
· Connecticut River Joint Commission
· Native Fish Coalition
· Northwoods Stewardship Center
· Nature Conservancy
· Essex County Natural Resource Conservation District
· Vermont River Conservancy
· Trout Unlimited
· Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
· Northern Forest Canoe Trail
To read the bill, please click here.
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