1.This Act may be cited as the Ice Age
Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act
.
2.
(a)Congress finds that—
(1)at the end of the last Ice Age, some 12,000
to 17,000 years ago, a series of cataclysmic floods occurred in what is now the
northwest region of the United States, leaving a lasting mark of dramatic and
distinguishing features on the landscape of parts of the States of Montana,
Idaho, Washington and Oregon;
(2)geological features that have exceptional
value and quality to illustrate and interpret this extraordinary natural
phenomenon are present on Federal, State, tribal, county, municipal, and
private land in the region; and
(3)in 2001, a joint study team headed by the
National Park Service that included about 70 members from public and private
entities completed a study endorsing the establishment of an Ice Age Floods
National Geologic Trail—
(A)to recognize the national significance of
this phenomenon; and
(B)to coordinate public and private sector
entities in the presentation of the story of the Ice Age floods.
(b)The purpose of this Act is to designate the
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the States of Montana, Idaho,
Washington, and Oregon, enabling the public to view, experience, and learn
about the features and story of the Ice Age floods through the collaborative
efforts of public and private entities.
3.In this Act:
(1)The term Ice Age floods or
floods means the cataclysmic floods that occurred in what is now
the northwestern United States during the last Ice Age from massive, rapid and
recurring drainage of Glacial Lake in Missoula, Montana.
(2)The term plan means the
cooperative management and interpretation plan authorized under section
5(e).
(3)The term Secretary means the
Secretary of the Interior.
(4)The term Trail means the Ice
Age Floods National Geologic Trail designated by section 4(a).
4.Ice Age Floods National Geologic
Trail
(a)In order to provide for public
appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant
natural and cultural features of the Ice Age floods and to promote
collaborative efforts for interpretation and education among public and private
entities located along the pathways of the floods, there is designated the Ice
Age Floods National Geologic Trail.
(b)
(1)The route of the Trail shall be generally
depicted on the map entitled Ice Age Floods National Geologic
Trail,
numbered P43/80,000 and dated June 2004.
(2)The route shall generally follow public
roads and highways.
(3)The Secretary may revise the map by
publication in the Federal Register of a notice of availability of a new map as
part of the plan.
(c)The map referred to in subsection (b) shall
be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of
the National Park Service.
5.
(a)The Secretary, acting through the Director
of the National Park Service, shall administer the Trail in accordance with
this Act.
(b)Except as provided in subsection (f)(2),
the Trail shall not be considered to be a unit of the National Park
System.
(c)To improve management of the Trail and
coordinate Trail activities with other public agencies and private entities,
the Secretary may establish and operate a trail management office at a central
location within the vicinity of the Trail.
(d)The Secretary may plan, design, and
construct interpretive facilities for sites associated with the Trail if the
facilities are constructed in partnership with State, local, tribal, or
non-profit entities and are consistent with the plan.
(e)
(1)Not later than 3 years after funds are made
available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a cooperative
management and interpretation plan for the Trail.
(2)The Secretary shall prepare the plan in
consultation with—
(A)State, local, and tribal
governments;
(B)the Ice Age Floods Institute;
(C)private property owners; and
(D)other interested parties.
(3)The plan shall—
(A)confirm and, if appropriate, expand on the
inventory of features of the floods contained in the National Park Service
study entitled Ice Age Floods, Study of Alternatives and Environmental
Assessment
(February 2001) by—
(i)locating features more accurately;
(ii)improving the description of features;
and
(iii)reevaluating the features in terms of their
interpretive potential;
(B)review and, if appropriate, modify the map
of the Trail referred to in section 4(b);
(C)describe strategies for the coordinated
development of the Trail, including an interpretive plan for facilities,
waysides, roadside pullouts, exhibits, media, and programs that present the
story of the floods to the public effectively; and
(D)identify potential partnering opportunities
in the development of interpretive facilities and educational programs to
educate the public about the story of the floods.
(f)
(1)In order to facilitate the development of
coordinated interpretation, education, resource stewardship, visitor facility
development and operation, and scientific research associated with the Trail
and to promote more efficient administration of the sites associated with the
Trail, the Secretary may enter into cooperative management agreements with
appropriate officials in the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon
in accordance with the authority provided for units of the National Park System
under section 3(l) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–2(l)).
(2)For purposes of this subsection only, the
Trail shall be considered a unit of the National Park System.
(g)The Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements with public or private entities to carry out this Act.
(h)Effect on Private Property
RightsNothing in this
Act—
(1)requires any private property owner to
allow public access (including Federal, State, or local government access) to
private property; or
(2)modifies any provision of Federal, State,
or local law with respect to public access to or use of private land.
(i)Designation of the Trail by section 4(a)
does not create any liability for, or affect any liability under any law of,
any private property owner with respect to any person injured on the private
property.
6.Authorization of
appropriationsThere are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act,
of which not more than $12,000,000 may be used for development of the
Trail.
February 15, 2007
Reported without amendment