Bill would add 34 miles of Myakka River to federal wild and scenic protection
In committeeH.R. 642Latest action
Sponsor: W. Gregory Steube · Representative · FL
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Official title: Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 642 would add about 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, FL to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 642 would officially designate about 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a federal program that prohibits damming or development that would harm a river's natural character. The river would be divided into segments labeled wild, scenic, or recreational based on how developed or natural each stretch already is. The river would not become part of the National Park System.
Who does it affect?
The bill primarily affects residents, landowners, and regular users of the Myakka River in Sarasota County. Local governments including the City of Venice and City of North Port would enter cooperative agreements with federal officials, and Florida state agencies would continue managing lands they already control with added federal coordination.
Why does it matter?
Federal designation would place stricter protections on the river, limiting certain development and damming activities along the affected 34-mile stretch. Management responsibility would be shared between the federal government and the existing Myakka River Management Coordinating Council, which includes state agencies, local governments, farmers, landowners, and environmental groups.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 23, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Sep 2, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Subcommittee Hearings Held