II 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3076 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 4, 2010 Ms. Cantwell introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct studies of natural soundscape preservation in the National Park Service.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Silence Helps Us Hear Act of 2010.

2.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service.

3.

Studies of natural soundscape preservation

(a)

Study of Least Degraded National Park Service Natural Soundscapes

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall conduct a study to identify National Park Service natural soundscape values and resources, as defined by policies 4.9 and 8.2 of the 2006 Management Policies of the National Park Service. (2)

Identification of lease degraded soundscapes

In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall analyze and identify National Park Service natural soundscapes that have been the least degraded by— (A)unnatural sounds; and (B)undesirable sounds cause by humans. (3)

Technical assistance

To the extent that the Secretary has identified aviation or aircraft noise as 1 of the sources of natural soundscapes degradation, the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator, shall provide technical assistance to the Secretary in carrying out the study under paragraph (1). (b)

Study of Preservation of Natural Soundscape Resources

To the extent that the Secretary has identified aviation or aircraft noise as 1 of the sources of National Park Service natural soundscapes degradation, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation (acting through the Administrator), shall conduct a study to identify methods to preserve the National Park Service natural soundscapes that have been the least degraded by— (1)unnatural sounds; and (2)undesirable sounds caused by humans.

4.

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that— (1)describes the results of the studies conducted under subsections (a) and (b) of section 3; and (2)includes any recommendations that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

5.

Authorization of appropriations

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