Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025

This bill orders a federal study to see if parts of Vermont’s Nulhegan River and Paul Stream should be added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It spells out the sections to study: about 22 miles of the Nulhegan River (including key tributaries like the North, Yellow, Black, and East Branches) and about 18 miles of Paul Stream and its tributaries, from their headwaters to the Connecticut River. The Secretary of the Interior must finish the study and send a report to Congress within 3 years after funding is provided.

If these waters are later added to the system, they could get extra protection to keep them clean, free‑flowing, and good for wildlife and recreation. For now, the bill only sets up the study and timeline.

Key points

• Who is affected: People and communities near the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont; outdoor users; conservation groups.
• What changes: A federal study of these river segments for possible Wild and Scenic designation, with a required report to Congress.
• When: The report is due within 3 years after funds are made available for the study.