May 20, 2026
Mr. Conaway (for himself and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for study for potential designation as a wild and scenic river, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Designation of Mullica River watershed for study for potential designation as wild and scenic river
(a) Designation
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) Mullica River watershed, New Jersey
The segments of the Mullica River, Wading River, Batsto River, and the tributaries of each such river within the Mullica River watershed, including the following segments:
(A)
Mullica River from its headwaters to Great Bay.
(B)
Alquatka Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(C)
Albertson Brook from its headwaters to its confluence with Nescochague Creek.
(D)
Great Swamp Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Nescochague Creek.
(E)
Nescochague Creek from its confluence with Albertson Brook to its confluence with Mullica River.
(F)
Pine Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(G)
Landing Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(H)
Nacote Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(I)
Bass River from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(J)
Ballinger Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(K)
Roberts Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Skit Branch.
(L)
Skit Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Batsto River.
(M)
Batsto River from its headwaters to its confluence with Mullica River.
(N)
Springers Brook from its headwaters to its confluence with Batsto River.
(O)
Deep Run from its headwaters to its confluence with Springers Brook.
(P)
Penn Swamp Branch from its headwaters to its confluence with Batsto River.
(Q)
Tulpehocken Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with West Branch Wading River.
(R)
West Branch Wading River from its headwaters to its confluence with Wading River.
(S)
Hospitality Brook from Hog Wallow Bogs to its confluence with West Branch Wading River.
(T)
Little Hauken Run from Hog Wallow Bogs to its confluence with Hospitality Brook.
(U)
Oswego River from its headwaters to its confluence with West Branch Wading River and Wading River.
(V)
Beaver Run from its headwaters to its confluence with Wading River.
(W)
Wading River from its confluence with West Branch Wading River and Oswego River to its confluence with Mullica River.
(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) Mullica River watershed, New Jersey
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 described in paragraph (147) of subsection (a); and
(B)
submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the results of the study.