Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act

This bill would add a restored stretch of the Kissimmee River in Florida to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System as a “recreational” river. The protected area runs roughly from 16 miles below Lake Kissimmee to 15 miles above Lake Okeechobee, and would be managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

It also blocks most new claims on federal land within the designated river corridor. That means no new mining claims, no new mineral or geothermal leases, and no disposal of this land under general public land laws, while respecting any valid rights that already exist.

Key points

• Who is affected: Local residents, boaters, anglers, and wildlife along the Kissimmee River; companies seeking new mining or mineral leases on nearby federal land.
• What changes: A specific river segment gets federal scenic protection and management; most new mining and mineral leasing on federal land in that corridor would be off-limits.
• Where: From about 16 miles downstream of Lake Kissimmee to about 15 miles upstream of Lake Okeechobee in Florida.