HR 2580119th CongressIn Committee

Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act

Introduced: Apr 1, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a restored segment of the Kissimmee River in Florida as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The designated segment runs roughly 16 miles downstream from Lake Kissimmee to about 15 miles upstream of Lake Okeechobee, and it would be managed by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river. In addition, the federal land within the designated boundaries would be withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal under public land laws, from mining-related activities under the mining laws, and from mineral or geothermal leasing or mineral materials disposition, subject to valid existing rights. The sponsor is Rep. Soto, and the bill was introduced on April 1, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

Key Points

1Designation: Adds the Kissimmee River, Florida, restored segment as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, with the segment treated as a recreational river for management purposes.
2Designated reach: The restored Kissimmee River segment begins about 16 miles downstream of Lake Kissimmee and ends about 15 miles upstream of Lake Okeechobee (roughly 31 miles in length).
3Management: The segment would be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river, under the authority and framework of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
4Land withdrawals: Federal land within the designated river boundaries is withdrawn from entry, appropriation or disposal under public land laws; from location, entry, and patent under mining laws; and from disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
5Rights protection: The withdrawal is subject to valid existing rights, meaning preexisting authorized uses or rights are preserved to the extent they exist.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Kissimmee River watershed and adjacent communities; recreational users; and federal land management interests, particularly within the designated corridor.Secondary group/area affected:- Florida state agencies (land/water management coordination), local governments along the river, environmental organizations, recreational and tourism interests, and private landowners near the corridor (subject to existing rights).Additional impacts:- Restrictions on mineral, geothermal, and mining activities within the designated corridor, as well as limitations on public land dispositions in the area.- Potential interactions with ongoing Kissimmee River restoration efforts and regional water management plans around Lake Okeechobee, including conservation and recreation objectives.- The designation could influence future conservation funding, management planning, and compliance with environmental standards within the river segment.

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