Deerfield River Slated for Wild and Scenic Study Under New Bill

Congress is considering the "Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025," legislation that kicks off a formal evaluation process for the Deerfield River system. This bill amends the existing Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to specifically designate the entire Deerfield River, spanning Massachusetts and Vermont—including its main North, South, East, and West Branches, plus key tributaries like the Green River and Cold River—for study. The core purpose is to determine if these waterways meet the criteria for official protection under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Putting the Deerfield Under the Microscope

So, what does a "study" actually involve? Essentially, the Department of the Interior gets the task of thoroughly assessing the river's characteristics. This includes evaluating its free-flowing condition and identifying its "outstandingly remarkable values," which could be things like scenic beauty, recreational opportunities (think kayaking, fishing), unique fish and wildlife habitats, or historical significance. Section 2 of the bill mandates this study.

The Clock Starts Ticking... Eventually

This isn't an overnight process. The bill gives the Secretary of the Interior a deadline: complete the study and deliver a report with findings and recommendations to Congress within three years. However, there's a catch – that three-year clock only starts after Congress specifically allocates funds for this study. Until the money is budgeted, the evaluation remains on hold. For communities, anglers, boaters, and businesses connected to the Deerfield, this means the potential impacts of a Wild and Scenic designation—whether that's enhanced conservation or potential new management rules—are still several years down the road, pending both funding and the study's outcome.