Congress orders study of New Jersey river for federal protection

What it does

This bill directs the Department of Interior to study whether the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey—a network of rivers and streams including the Mullica, Wading, and Batsto rivers and their tributaries—should be formally designated as a wild and scenic river under federal law. The study must be completed within 3 years of funding and reported to Congress. No designation occurs unless Congress acts separately; this bill only authorizes the study.

Why we flagged it

The bill's sole operative mechanism is to add a specific watershed to the study list under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and mandate a 3-year study with congressional reporting. It is a straightforward environmental study authorization with no hidden provisions or private carve-outs.

What the text implies

• Study completion depends on appropriations; if Congress does not fund the study, the 3-year clock may not start, delaying any potential designation indefinitely.
• Designation as wild and scenic river may trigger land-use restrictions on private property within the watershed, though this bill does not impose those restrictions—only authorizes study to determine feasibility.
• A favorable study report does not automatically designate the river; Congress must pass separate legislation, giving opponents a second opportunity to block protection.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill creates a formal study process for potential river protection, giving citizens and Congress information to make informed conservation decisions. No costs are imposed on ordinary people; the study itself is a public-interest transparency measure that may lead to environmental protections.

Named in the bill

Department of Interior, Secretary of the Interior, Mullica River, Wading River, Batsto River, New Jersey, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, House Committee on Natural Resources, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Democrats.

• May 20, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• May 20, 2026 — Referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources · Congress.gov: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources”
• Jul 21, 2026 — Hearing held · Congress.gov: “Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.