Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill proposes to add two Vermont waterways—the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream—to the list of rivers being studied for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. If enacted, it would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study within three years (once funding is available) and report findings to Congress. The goal is to evaluate whether these rivers merit federal protection as wild and scenic rivers.
Who Benefits and How
Environmental conservation groups benefit because this bill advances river protection efforts. If the rivers are eventually designated as wild and scenic, they would receive federal protections limiting development and preserving their natural character.
Local Vermont communities along these waterways benefit from potential increased recreation and tourism opportunities, as well as long-term environmental preservation of the rivers that support local ecosystems, recreation, and quality of life.
Vermont Senators Welch and Sanders, who sponsored the bill, benefit politically by championing environmental protection for their constituents.
Who Bears the Burden and How
The Secretary of the Interior bears the primary administrative burden, being required to complete a comprehensive study of approximately 40 miles of river segments and their tributaries within three years, then submit a report to Congress.
Federal taxpayers bear the cost of the study, though the bill does not specify a dollar amount—funding must be appropriated separately before the study can begin.
Key Provisions
- Adds the approximately 22-mile Nulhegan River segment (from Nulhegan Pond to the Connecticut River, including North, Yellow, Black, and East Branches) to the study list
- Adds the approximately 18-mile Paul Stream segment (from West Mountain to the Connecticut River, plus tributaries) to the study list
- Requires the Secretary of the Interior to complete the study within 3 years after funding becomes available
- Mandates a report to the appropriate congressional committees with study results
- This is a study designation only—it does not automatically protect the rivers, but is the first step toward potential wild and scenic designation
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specific segments of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system.
Key Policy Areas
Environment
Primary Purpose
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specific segments of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system.
Policy Domains
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMr. Welch (for himself and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following …
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and …
Introduced in Senate
Impact analysis is available but no clear stakeholder effects identified. View clause-level analysis →
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Interior
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology