II Calendar No. 301 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 432 [Report No. 118–149] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2023 Mr. Welch (for himself and Mr. Sanders ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources January 9, 2024 Reported by Mr. Manchin , without amendment A BILL To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in the State of Vermont for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2023 . 2. Amendments to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (a) Designation for study Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1276(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (147) Nulhegan River and Paul Stream, Vermont The following segments: (A) The approximately 22-mile segment of the main stem of the Nulhegan River from the headwaters near Nulhegan Pond to the confluence with the Connecticut River, and any associated tributaries (including the North, Yellow, Black, and East Branches). (B) The approximately 18-mile segment of Paul Stream from the headwaters on West Mountain to the confluence with the Connecticut River, and any associated tributaries. . (b) Study and report Section 5(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1276(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (24) Nulhegan River and Paul Stream, Vermont Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall— (A) complete the study of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream segments in Vermont described in subsection (a)(147); and (B) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the results of such study. .

January 9, 2024 Reported without amendment