H.R. 415: To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

110th Congress · introduced 2007-01-11 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 887.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2007-01-11 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 5 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 503 (2008): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR415 (2008-07-16), Failed. See all
Where it stands now: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 887. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Plain summary

Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments of the Taunton River in Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Requires the river segments to be managed in accordance with the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, dated July 2005, including any amendment to such Plan, that the Secretary of the Interior determines to be consistent with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to provide for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of each river segment, to enter into cooperative agreements, which may include provisions for financial and other assistance, with: (1) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including the political subdivisions of Massachusetts); (2) the Taunton River Stewardship Council; and (3) any appropriate nonprofit, as determined by the Secretary. Bars the river segments from being: (1) administered as a unit of the National Park System; or (2) subject to the laws (including regulations) that govern the administration of such System. Considers the zoning ordinances adopted by specified towns and cities, including any provision of the zoning ordinances related to the conservation of floodplains, wetlands, and watercourses associated with any river segment designated by this Act, to satisfy each standard and requirement under the Act regarding the prohibition on the federal acquisition of certain lands by condemnation for inclusion in any national, wild, scenic, or recreational river area. Authorizes the Secretary, respecting each river segment, to only acquire parcels of land by donation or with the owner's consent. Prohibits the acquisition of any parcel by condemnation. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and private industry, to complete a report regarding the energy resources available on the lands and waters included in the segments of the Taunton River designated by this Act. Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) being construed as affecting the authority or responsibility of Massachusetts to manage or regulate fish and resident wildlife, including the authority to regulate hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting; (2) being construed as limiting access for hunting, fishing, trapping, or recreational shooting; or (3) impacting the supply of domestically-produced energy resources.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4] · 11 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 415, A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (2008-06-30); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 415, A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (2008-06-30)

Cosponsors on this site

James P. McGovern (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Richard E. Neal (D-MA)

Recorded votes

House roll call 503 (2008): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR415 (2008-07-16): Failed
House roll call 504 (2008): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR415 (2008-07-16): Agreed to
House roll call 505 (2008): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR415 (2008-07-16): Agreed to
House roll call 506 (2008): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR415 (2008-07-16): Failed
House roll call 507 (2008): On Passage, HR415 (2008-07-16): Passed

Words on this page, explained (2)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-110hr415.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/110/hr>

Record fed-us-cong110-hr415 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110