Washington - House passage of the 2013 Water Resources Reform and Development Act late Wednesday opened the way for deauthorization of a navigation project on Connecticut's Eightmile River - a project on which there has been no activity in more than 100 years.

The Eightmile River runs through several towns in eastern Connecticut and was designated by Congress in 2008 as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, which is designed to shield certain rivers from federal projects that could adversely affect their free-flowing nature. The Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee has partnered with local, state and federal agencies to implement a watershed management plan.

The project now up for deauthorization included century-old plans to widen what had been a narrowing channel from the Connecticut River to Hamburg Cove that had obstructed navigation.

"I understand what they were trying to accomplish with the project," Anthony Irving, a member of the coordinating committee, said of the work now up for deauthorization. But he added, "Assuming what has happened, the legislation obviously has outlived its (lifespan). The Army Corps would have a difficult time in instituting the project today due to (the river's) current use and management plan."

The Eightmile River today is primarily used for recreational activities and is also valued for its role in sustaining local ecosystems and providing scenic landscapes. The Wild and Scenic River designation has facilitated the preservation of a clean water supply for local residents, as well as protection of the rural character of the surrounding area and maintenance of a diverse plant and animal population.

The House version of the water resources legislation was approved by a 417-3 vote, with all members of the Connecticut delegation voting for it. The Senate approved its version of the bill in May by a 83-14 vote. There will now be a conference committee between the House and the Senate to resolve differences in the two bills. A date to meet has not been set.

Both versions of the bill contain deauthorization of projects that are considered outdated because they never received funding or because construction never began. The intent is to free up resources for new water infrastructure projects.

The Eightmile River deauthorization, which is specifically mentioned in the Senate version of the bill, is one of a number of such projects. It was first authorized in the River and Harbor Act passed by Congress in 1910.

The 1910 report from the chief of engineers for the U.S. Army outlines the project with an emphasis on plans for Hamburg Cove. The Eightmile River flows into the cove, which drains into the Connecticut River.

Hamburg Cove is divided into a lower cove nearer to the Connecticut River - home to a number of moorings placed by the Town of Lyme - and the upper cove and its two working boatyards.

The old project has not been carried out since initial construction in 1911, when the intention was to realign the channel and increase the turning basin at the northern end.

As of June 30, 1911, the project was 90 percent complete. But a 1912 report from the chief of engineers of the U.S. Army reads, "It is not believed to be profitable to expend any further funds on the movement of this waterway, other than necessary maintenance." The turning basin portion of the navigation project was not completed due to the presence of large and unexpected boulders and insufficient funds to cover their removal, the report said.

According to Irving, any federal agency that wants to take action involving the Eightmile River today must go through the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps then informs the coordinating committee, which provides feedback on any proposals.

Although the 1911 project was never completed, the cove portions of the Eightmile River were dredged in 1982 after major flooding. At that time, 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period created shoals that obstructed navigation.