Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Mesa Verde National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007

Findings; purposes

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that— (1)on June 29, 1906, Mesa Verde National Park was established as the first national park in the United States to preserve the works of humanity; (2)on September 6, 1978, Mesa Verde National Park became the first World Heritage Site designated in the United States; and (3)Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best preserved and notable archeological sites of the ancient Puebloan culture that flourished in the southwestern United States from approximately 600–1300, including the elaborate stone villages in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls referred to as cliff dwellings. (b)

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are— (1)to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park— (A)to protect the archeological sites located on property adjacent to the Park boundary; (B)to extend and expand the knowledge and understanding of the ancient Puebloan culture, a major influence in the development of the southwestern United States; (C)to protect from potential development the scenic and biological value of the pinyon-juniper covered hills that— (i)border the Park; and (ii)are in full view of the Park entrance road; and (D)to protect the largest recorded colony of the globally imperiled Gray’s Townsend Daisy, to ensure continuation of a major wildlife corridor, and to protect important habitat for wildlife; and (2)to provide greater opportunities to visitors, researchers, and surrounding communities to understand and appreciate the natural environment of Mesa Verde and the contributions of the ancient Puebloan culture to the region by providing the land required to construct a contemporary museum collections storage facility and visitor orientation center.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Map

The term map means the map entitled Mesa Verde National Park Proposed Boundary Adjustment, numbered 307/80,180, and dated March 1, 2007. (2)

Park

The term Park means the Mesa Verde National Park in the State of Colorado. (3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

Mesa verde national park

(a)

Acquisition of land

(1)

In general

The Secretary may acquire the land or an interest in the land described in subsection (b) for addition to the Park. (2)

Means

An acquisition of land under paragraph (1) may be made by donation, purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. (b)

Description of land

The land referred to in subsection (a)(1) is the approximately 360 acres of land adjacent to the Park, as generally depicted on the map. (c)

Availability of map

The map shall be on file and available for inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (d)

Boundary modification

The boundary of the Park shall be revised to reflect the acquisition of the land under subsection (a). (e)

Administration

The Secretary shall administer any land or interest in land acquired under subsection (a)(1) as part of the Park in accordance with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the Park.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.