Mullica River Watershed Study Act Targets 23 New Jersey Waterways for Wild and Scenic Protection

The Mullica River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2026 kicks off a formal investigation into whether a massive network of New Jersey waterways deserves federal protection. Specifically, the bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to add 23 distinct segments of the Mullica River watershed—ranging from the main stem to smaller branches like Hospitality Brook and Tulpehocken Creek—to the national study list. This isn't an immediate land-use restriction, but rather a three-year deep dive by the Secretary of the Interior to see if these waters meet the high bar for 'Wild and Scenic' status.

Mapping the Waters

The scope of this study is impressively detailed, covering everything from the Mullica River’s headwaters down to Great Bay. If you live near or work on the water in South Jersey, you’ll recognize the names: the Batsto River, Nescochague Creek, and the Oswego River are all on the list. For a local kayak guide or a cranberry grower near Hog Wallow Bogs (specifically mentioned in Section 2), this study is the first step toward a potential federal designation that usually aims to keep rivers in their free-flowing state and protect the local water quality that these businesses rely on.

The Three-Year Clock

Once the funding is secured, the Department of the Interior has exactly three years to wrap up the science and the paperwork. This isn't just a desk job; the study must evaluate the river's biological, recreational, and cultural values before a final report lands on the desks of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. For residents and local officials, this three-year window is the time to watch how the federal government evaluates their backyard, as the results will determine if Congress eventually moves to permanently protect these areas from future dams or invasive development.