PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jul 31, 2007
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate as a component of the national wild and scenic rivers system (the system) certain segments of the main stem and specified tributaries of the Eightmile River, Connecticut.
Declares that such segments shall be managed in accordance with the Eightmile River Watershed Management Plan and such amendments as the Secretary of the Interior determines are consistent with this Act.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Deems the Plan to satisfy the requirements for a comprehensive management plan required under the Act.
Instructs the Secretary to coordinate management responsibilities regarding the Eightmile River with the Eightmile Coordinating Committee, as specified in the Plan.
Allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements for administration and for assistance, advice, and cooperation to plan, protect, and manage river resources with the state of Connecticut, the towns of Salem, Lyme, and East Haddam, and appropriate local planning and environmental organizations. Requires the agreements to be consistent with the Plan and allows provisions for federal assistance.
Prohibits the Eightmile River from being administered as part of the National Park System or being subject to related regulations.
Deems: (1) the zoning ordinances adopted by the towns, in effect as of December 8, 2005, to satisfy the standards and requirements under the Act regarding the prohibition on federal acquisition of lands by condemnation for inclusion in any wild, scenic, or recreational river area; and (2) such towns to be "villages" for such purposes. Limits the authority of the Secretary to acquire lands for purposes of the Act to acquisition by donation or acquisition with the owner's consent and subjects it to the additional criteria set forth in the Plan.
Recognizes specified tributaries of the Eightmile River watershed as integral to the protection and enhancement of the river and watershed.
Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2] · D–CT
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 253 - 172 (Roll No. 767). (text: CR H8951-8952)
House roll call 767 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 253 - 172 (Roll No. 767).(text: CR H8951-8952)
House roll call 767 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9225-9226)
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 200 - 225 (Roll no. 766). (consideration: CR H9229)
House roll call 766 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H9225)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pearce motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to prohibit federal funds to be used to condemn land to carry out the purposes of this Act or the amendment mabe by subsection (b).".
Mr. Pearce moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H9223-9225; text: CR H9223)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H9223)
DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 986.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9223-9225)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 986.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 986 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 580. (consideration: CR 7/31/2007 H8950-8957; text of measure as introduced: CR H8950-8951)
Rule H. Res. 580 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 580 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 986 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 239 - 173 (Roll no. 615). (text: CR 7/10/2007 CR H7440-7441)
House roll call 615 · Individual votesFailed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 239 - 173 (Roll no. 615).(text: CR 7/10/2007 CR H7440-7441)
House roll call 615 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7627-7628)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 986.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7440-7443)
Mr. Sarbanes moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 136.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-220.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-220.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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