HR642-119

What This Bill Does

The Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025 builds on prior federal study and Florida protection of the Myakka River. The findings state that a prior Wild and Scenic Rivers Act study found the river eligible, Florida protected it through the Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Protection Act, Sarasota County and the cities of Venice and North Port protected the river through land-use plans and ordinances, and the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council endorsed designation. The operative section defines the Myakka River, Council, comprehensive management plan, and Secretary; treats the existing Myakka River Wild and Scenic Management Plan as satisfying the federal comprehensive management plan requirement; lets Interior coordinate administration and enter cooperative agreements with Florida DEP Division of Recreation and Parks, Sarasota County, North Port, Venice, local planning bodies, and nonprofits; clarifies that cooperative administration does not make the river a National Park System unit or trigger National Park Service administration; preserves management authority over public and private lands in the watershed; authorizes technical assistance, staff support, and funding for updating and implementing the plan; and limits land acquisition to donation or willing-seller acquisition while prohibiting condemnation.

Who Benefits and How

Myakka River conservation efforts benefit because federal recognition, technical assistance, staff support, and funding can reinforce the State and local management plan. Florida DEP, Sarasota County, North Port, Venice, and the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council benefit because cooperative agreements let existing local institutions remain central. River users, ecotourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits benefit from long-term preservation of the river corridor. Private landowners benefit from the explicit bar on condemnation and the requirement that federal acquisition happen only by donation or consent.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Interior must coordinate administration, negotiate cooperative agreements, provide technical assistance or funding if available, and respect limits on land acquisition. State and local partners must coordinate plan updates and implementation. Some development interests near the watershed may face continued conservation-oriented planning constraints under the State and local framework. Federal taxpayers may fund technical assistance, staff support, or plan implementation.

Key Provisions

• Finds that the Myakka River was studied and determined eligible for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
• Recognizes Florida, Sarasota County, Venice, North Port, public supporters, and the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council as supporting protection.
• Treats the existing Myakka River Wild and Scenic Management Plan as the federal comprehensive management plan.
• Authorizes Interior cooperative agreements with Florida, local governments, planning bodies, and nonprofits.
• Provides that cooperative administration does not make the river a National Park System unit.
• Authorizes technical assistance, staff support, and funding for management-plan implementation.
• Limits land acquisition to donation or owner consent and prohibits condemnation.