Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Introduced
Summary
Designates 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The bill would add eight contiguous river segments with scenic, wild, and recreational classifications and set up a cooperative federal-state-local management framework led by the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council and the Secretary of the Interior.
Show full summary
- Local communities and visitors: The designation guides protection and recreation along river stretches, which will shape access and local conservation.
- Private landowners: Federal land acquisition is limited to donations or purchases with owner consent and cannot use condemnation.
- State and local agencies and the Council: The Council will oversee a comprehensive management plan, the Secretary will coordinate federal implementation and may provide technical help, staff support, and funding, and the designation does not create a National Park System unit.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New federal protection for Myakka River
If enacted, this bill would add about 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It would split the river into eight named segments and mark them scenic, wild, or recreational. The Secretary of the Interior would coordinate management with the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council and Florida and local partners. The Secretary could provide technical help, staff support, and funding and would treat the Council's river plan as the required federal plan. A National Park Service representative would join the Council and these authorities would take effect upon enactment.
Protections for Myakka landowners
If enacted, the bill would bar the federal government from forcing landowners to sell land for the Myakka River designation. The Secretary could only acquire land by donation or with the owner's consent and could not use condemnation. The designation would not make the river a unit of the National Park System or count as National Park Service administration. State and local management rules for lands in the watershed would continue to apply. These limits would take effect upon enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
FL • D
Sponsored 4/13/2026
Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Lee (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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