STATUS:

• February 12, 2014.--Introduced.
• April 9, 2014.--Mr. Enzi added as cosponsor.
• May 12, 2014.--Mr. Begich added as cosponsor.

River Paddling Protection Act (Introduced in Senate - IS)

S 2018 IS

To provide for the use of hand-propelled vessels in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge, and for other purposes.

Mr. BARRASSO introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

To provide for the use of hand-propelled vessels in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `River Paddling Protection Act'.

SEC. 2. REGULATIONS SUPERSEDED.

(a) In General- The rivers and streams of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park shall be open to hand-propelled vessels as determined by the Director of the National Park Service within 3 years of the date of enactment of this Act. Beginning on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the following regulations shall have no force or effect regarding closing rivers and streams of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park to hand-propelled vessels:

(1) Section 7.13(d)(4)(ii) of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, regarding vessels on streams and rivers in Yellowstone National Park.

(2) Section 7.22(e)(3) of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, regarding vessels on lakes and rivers in Grand Teton National Park.

(b) Coordination of Recreational Use- The Fish and Wildlife Service shall coordinate any recreational use of hand-propelled vessels on the Gros Ventre River within the National Elk Refuge with Grand Teton National Park to ensure such use is consistent with the requirements of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.).