[Senate Hearing 118-284]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 118-284
PENDING LEGISLATION
=======================================================================
HEARING
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
NATIONAL PARKS
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
on
S. 284 S. 608
S. 351 S. 886
S. 384 S. 924
S. 432 S. 961
S. 507 S. 1059
S. 527 S. 1097
S. 562 S. 1277
S. 594 S. 2018
__________
JUNE 21, 2023
__________
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Printed for the use of the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
55-558 WASHINGTON : 2025
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COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
JOE MANCHIN III, West Virginia, Chairman
RON WYDEN, Oregon JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho
BERNARD SANDERS, Vermont MIKE LEE, Utah
MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico STEVE DAINES, Montana
MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
ANGUS S. KING, JR., Maine JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana
MARK KELLY, Arizona CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi
JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado JOSH HAWLEY, Missouri
------
Subcommittee on National Parks
ANGUS S. KING, JR., Chair
BERNARD SANDERS STEVE DAINES
MARTIN HEINRICH MIKE LEE
MAZIE K. HIRONO LISA MURKOWSKI
MARK KELLY CINDY HYDE-SMITH
Renae Black, Staff Director
Sam E. Fowler, Chief Counsel
David Brooks, General Counsel
Richard M. Russell, Republican Staff Director
Justin J. Memmott, Republican Chief Counsel
John Tanner, Republican Deputy Staff Director for Lands
C O N T E N T S
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OPENING STATEMENTS
Page
King, Jr., Hon. Angus S., Subcommittee Chairman and a U.S.
Senator from Maine............................................. 1
Daines, Hon. Steve, Subcommittee Ranking Member and a U.S.
Senator from Montana........................................... 2
Heinrich, Hon. Martin, a U.S. Senator from New Mexico............ 5
WITNESS
Caldwell, Michael A., Associate Director, Park Planning,
Facilities, and Lands, National Park Service, U.S. Department
of the Interior................................................ 6
ALPHABETICAL LISTING AND APPENDIX MATERIAL SUBMITTED
Ackerman, Karen:
Article entitled ``Can Race Riot Site Become Part of the
National Park Service? '' from the Illinois Times, August
18, 2022................................................... 139
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, North Eastern Episcopal
District:
Letter for the Record........................................ 110
Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention:
Letter for the Record........................................ 109
American Baptist General Convention of Texas:
Letter for the Record........................................ 82
American Whitewater:
Letter for the Record........................................ 42
Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment:
Letter for the Record........................................ 74
Apostolides, Nik:
Letter for the Record........................................ 45
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers:
Letter for the Record........................................ 46
Bauer, David C.L.:
Article entitled ``President Invited to Visit Region to See
Site of Deadly 1908 Race Riots'' from the Journal Courier,
January 28, 2021........................................... 141
Caldwell, Michael A.:
Opening Statement............................................ 6
Written Testimony............................................ 8
Responses to Questions for the Record........................ 40
California Catholic Conference:
Letter for the Record........................................ 77
California State Baptist Convention, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 112
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church College of Bishops:
Letter for the Record........................................ 114
Church of God in Christ, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 83
Combs, Susan:
Letter for the Record........................................ 47
Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention:
Letter for the Record........................................ 115
Cortese, Dave:
Letter for the Record........................................ 78
Daines, Hon. Steve:
Opening Statement............................................ 2
Map depicting gap areas in the Continental Divide National
Scenic Trail 4
Davis, Hon. Rodney et al.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 97
Deerfield, MA Office of the Selectboard and Board of Health:
Letter for the Record........................................ 160
Deerfield River Watershed Association:
Letter for the Record........................................ 157
DoGood, Silence:
Article entitled ``The 1908 Springfield Race Riots and the
National Park Service'' from the Holland Sentinel, October
4, 2022.................................................... 146
Duckworth, Hon. Tammy:
Op-ed entitled ``President Biden, Make Site of the 1908
Springfield Race Riots a National Monument'' from the State
Journal-Register, December 13, 2022........................ 135
Press release entitled ``Duckworth, Durbin Re-Introduce Bill
to Establish 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site as a National
Monument'' dated February 8, 2021.......................... 138
Duckworth, Hon. Tammy and Hon. Richard J. Durbin:
Letter for the Record dated January 14, 2021................. 96
Letter for the Record dated September 21, 2022............... 48
Duster, Michelle:
Letter for the Record........................................ 50
Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ:
Letter for the Record........................................ 116
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
Letter for the Record........................................ 117
Florida Council of Churches:
Letter for the Record........................................ 118
General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 119
Giddings, Paula J.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 51
Green Chalice:
Letter for the Record........................................ 120
GreenFaith:
Letter for the Record........................................ 121
Haley, Teresa:
Letter for the Record........................................ 108
Harjo, Joy:
Letter for the Record........................................ 52
Heinrich, Hon. Martin:
Opening Statement............................................ 5
Illinois NAACP State Conference:
Letter for the Record........................................ 106
Jewish United Fund:
Letter for the Record........................................ 53
Katz, Walter:
Editorial entitled ``Making Site of 1908 Sprinfield Race Riot
a Monument Would Honor Victims and Inspire Change'' from
the Chicago Tribune, March 10, 2023........................ 84
Killmer, Richard:
Article entitled ``The 1908 Springfield Race Riots and the
National Park Service'' from the Holland Sentinel, October
4, 2022.................................................... 147
King, Jr., Hon. Angus S.:
Opening Statement............................................ 1
Latinos in Heritage Conservation:
Letter for the Record........................................ 79
Lemay, Kate Clarke:
Letter for the Record........................................ 58
Mahan, Matt:
Letter for the Record........................................ 81
Masjid Muhammad, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 123
Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation:
Letter for the Record........................................ 70
Meltzer, Brad:
Letter for the Record........................................ 59
Mid-West Episcopal District:
Letter for the Record........................................ 122
Mikulski, Hon. Barbara:
Letter for the Record........................................ 60
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People:
Letter for the Record........................................ 103
National Black Presbyterian Caucus:
Letter for the Record........................................ 111
National Parks Conservation Association:
Statement for the Record..................................... 61
National Park Service:
1908 Springfield Race Riot Special Resource Study--Civic
Engagement Summary, November 2022.......................... 149
National Religious Partnership for the Environment:
Letter for the Record........................................ 125
North Carolina Council of Churches:
Letter for the Record........................................ 124
Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 127
Pier, Gwen:
Letter for the Record........................................ 63
Preston, Ashley Richardson:
Letter for the Record........................................ 64
Progressive Missionary and Educational Baptist State Convention
of Florida, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 128
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 129
Richardson, Randi:
Article entitled ``Illinois Senators Call for a Monument of a
1908 Riot That Launched the NAACP'' from NBC News, January
15, 2021................................................... 143
Sierra Club:
Statement for the Record..................................... 87
Sign-on letter from 4,344 Black clergy leaders................... 131
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas:
Letter for the Record........................................ 130
Springfield Branch NAACP:
Letter for the Record........................................ 107
Springfield, IL (City of):
Ordinance signed on March 3, 2022, providing lands for the
construction of a memorial regarding the 1908 race riots... 98
Support packet for a Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument 89
Texas State Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc.:
Letter for the Record........................................ 132
Trout Unlimited--Connecticut River Valley Chapter:
Letter for the Record........................................ 162
United Baptist Missionary Convention:
Letter for the Record........................................ 133
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service:
Statement for the Record..................................... 65
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management:
Statement for the Record..................................... 68
Weiss, Elaine:
Letter for the Record........................................ 71
Windham Regional Commission:
Letter for the Record........................................ 72
Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention:
Letter for the Record........................................ 134
Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation:
Letter for the Record........................................ 54
----------
The text for each of the bills addressed in this hearing can be found
on the Committee's website at: https://www.energy.senate.gov/hearings/
2023/6/subcommittee-hearing-to-receive-testimony-on-legislation
PENDING LEGISLATION
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee on National Parks,
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:35 a.m. in
Room SD-366, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Angus S.
King, Jr., Chair of the Subcommittee, presiding.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE
Senator King. Good morning and welcome to the first
legislative hearing of the National Parks Subcommittee for the
118th Congress. This hearing is part of the regular legislative
order, and by having this hearing, we can get the
Administration's and any other interested parties' positions on
the record. This will assist us as the Committee determines
which proposals will proceed to a full-committee markup and
eventually make their way to the Senate floor.
While our only witness here today is from the Department of
the Interior, I want to note that we have received statements
from the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service on
the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, which involves
land they manage.
Additionally, I want to note that the Subcommittee will
leave the record open on all bills considered here today,
allowing those who wish to submit statements of support or
opposition on any of the bills on today's agenda, and we will
send that along to be included in the official record, which
will help the full Committee's consideration.
I will specifically mention that the Committee has received
a letter from our former colleague, Senator Mikulski, who you
ignore at your own peril----
[Laughter.]
Senator King [continuing]. In support of the Women's
Suffrage National Monument Location Act.
I also want to acknowledge Teresa Haley, the President of
the Springfield Branch of the NAACP, who is in attendance
today, who submitted testimony to the Committee and has been
one of the driving forces behind S. 384, designating a national
monument to protect the site of the 1908 Springfield Race
Riots.
In addition to the bills I just mentioned, we will also
hear testimony on a total of 16 bills. Some of these bills are
focused on local issues, including studying rivers for
potential inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River System, and
boundary adjustments and redesignations for existing park
units, including adding 6,000 acres to Big Bend National Park,
one of my favorite places in this country.
We will also hear about the Connect our Parks Act, which
Ranking Member Barrasso and I introduced last week. This
legislation would direct each national park to assess where
broadband service is needed and develop plans to increase
service access for public safety. America's National Parks
provide great opportunities to enjoy nature, and I want to be
clear, we are not proposing wiring up our parks' backcountry.
Rather, this proposal directs an assessment of housing,
administrative facilities, and related structures where
broadband is needed in areas where cellular service would
increase the public's access to emergency services and would
increase the communications capabilities of park rangers. All
this would need to be done in a way that would cause minimal
disruption to viewsheds, land, and wildlife. The Connect our
Parks Act is a common-sense and balanced effort to improve
access to emergency services, assist park rangers in responding
to crises, and expand growing digital services, like park
navigation. I look forward to our continued efforts to improve
Maine's and America's great outdoors.
I am also interested in learning more about the Park
Service's concern about allowing the previously authorized
women's suffrage monument to be placed on the Reserve area of
the National Mall. In the 2003 amendments to the Commemorative
Works Act, Congress declared that the Reserve area of the Mall
is a substantially completed work of civic art. Last Congress,
despite the Park Service concerns, we advanced legislation to
place the Global War on Terror Memorial on the Reserve. Twenty
years after the passage of this provision, it may now be
appropriate to carefully review the policy so that we can get
to the root of the issue without having to discuss the merits
of specific monuments simultaneously. This will help us to
avoid having the same philosophical discussion about the
Commemorative Works Act each time we have a new proposal to put
a memorial on the Reserve.
Now I will turn to Vice Chair Daines for his opening
statement, then, to any member of the Committee who wishes to
speak about their legislation. Then, we will turn to our
witness, Mr. Caldwell, for his opening statement.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. STEVE DAINES,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Senator Daines. Chairman King, thank you.
Today's legislative hearing focuses on 16 bills. Many of
these bills make modifications to existing parks or monuments,
including Senator Tillis in Senate bill 351, to designate six
different unnamed creeks in North Carolina in honor of those
that tragically died in a small plane crash in February 2022;
Senator Cornyn's Senate bill 1059 to expand Big Bend National
Park; Senator McConnell's bill, S. 1277, to expand Mammoth Cave
National Park; and Senator Blackburn's and Baldwin's Senate
bill 886, to authorize the women's suffrage monument to be
constructed in the National Mall. You know, Montana played a
leading role in the women's suffrage movement. We are proud of
the fact we elected the first woman to ever serve in Congress.
She was serving in Congress before women had the right to vote.
It is an amazing story. And I remind my colleagues here on this
side of the United States, it was Wyoming that led the nation
in women's suffrage. It was these western states that were out
in front years ago. I look forward to hearing testimony on
these bills and working with my colleagues to get them across
the finish line.
At today's hearing we also have the opportunity to hear
testimony on my bipartisan bill, Senate bill 594, the
Continental Divide Trail Completion Act. This bill requires the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to prioritize
completion of the trail before 2028, the 50th anniversary of
the trail's designation. The Continental Divide Trail spans
over 3,000 miles, from the northern border of Montana to the
southern border of New Mexico. In Montana, the trail starts at
Glacier National Park and runs nearly a thousand miles south
along the Montana-Idaho border to end in Yellowstone National
Park. However, there are numerous gaps in Montana and along the
trail that require hikers to track along highways and busy
roads.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask unanimous consent to
enter into the record a map that details these gaps.
Senator King. Without objection.
[The Continental Divide Trail map follows:]
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Senator Daines. Finishing the trail will benefit
communities throughout Montana, especially the gateway
communities of Lincoln, Helena, Butte, and Anaconda. Outdoor
recreation in Montana is nearly a $3 billion economy, supplying
over 27,000 jobs. Completing the trail will help bring more
tourism through our communities and boost local economies--and
some of these economies I mentioned badly need a boost. And in
Montana, hiking, fishing, and being outdoors with your family
isn't just about jobs, it's a part of our heritage, it's our
way of life in Montana. But with that comes a deep respect for
private property rights, which is why the bill strictly
prohibits the use of eminent domain, ensuring that private
property rights are protected as we expand public access. The
bill has strong support from local communities, recreation
groups, and more, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership, Montana Conservation Corps, the City and County of
Butte-Silver Bow, the Helena Chamber of Commerce, Glacier
County Regional Tourism, Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce,
the Anaconda Trail Society, and many more local as well as
national groups.
Mr. Chairman, I look forward to hearing from our witness
today and I hope that we can pass this bill quickly out of
Committee and get it to the Senate floor.
And with that, Mr. Chairman, I turn it back to you and look
forward to a robust discussion and testimony from our witness.
Senator King. Senator Heinrich.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARTIN HEINRICH,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO
Senator Heinrich. Thank you, Chairman and Ranking Member
Daines, and thank you for holding this hearing and for
including S. 594, as Ranking Member Daines mentioned, the
Continental Divide Trail Completion Act. I introduced this
legislation with our Ranking Member to improve the safety,
accessibility, and quality of this national scenic trail that
connects Americans to amazing landscapes across five western
states.
Ranking Member Daines and I disagree on which end is the
beginning and which end is the end, but we left that strictly
out of the bill today.
[Laughter.]
Senator Heinrich. The Continental Divide National Scenic
Trail reaches from Mexico to Canada and from the deserts of
southern New Mexico to the peaks of the northern Rockies. Along
its 3,000- mile route, the trail passes through some of the
most scenic terrain in the nation, including important natural,
historical, and cultural sites. Access to the CDT provides
opportunities for both recreation and economic development to
20 official gateway communities and to numerous others located
along its expansive route. Today, over 160 miles of the trail
require hikers to reroute onto roadways and even highways. In
addition to these gaps, another 600 miles of the trail route
don't fully meet the designated purposes of the trail because
of their distance from the divide itself, their scenic quality,
or topography. Improving the trail route by closing gaps and
making needed relocations will significantly improve trail
safety and enjoyment for visitors, enhancing the trail's
ability to support recreation and conservation along the
Continental Divide.
S. 594 would create a joint Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management trail completion team to facilitate the
completion of the CDT by its 50th anniversary, which is coming
up in 2028. The bill directs the federal completion team to
collaborate closely with states, local governments, landowners,
tribal communities, and others who live, work, and recreate
along the trail. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
is an invaluable part of the National Scenic Trail system and
of our nationwide network of public lands, parks, and trails.
In passing this legislation, we can ensure that the natural,
cultural, and economic value of this incomparable trail will be
conserved for generations to come.
Thank you again to both the Chair and Ranking Member for
your consideration of this legislation, and I will yield back
the rest of my time.
Senator King. Thank you, Senator. I take it that this
trail, this Continental Divide Trail, is for those people that,
for whatever reason, can't get to the Appalachian Trail? Is
that----
[Laughter.]
Senator King. It begins in Maine.
Senator Heinrich. If you have done the Appalachian Trail
and you desire something a little more challenging----
Senator King. I see.
[Laughter.]
Senator Heinrich. Then you can graduate to the CDT.
Senator King. I will introduce you to the 100-Mile
Wilderness at some point.
Our witness is Michael Caldwell, who is the Associate
Director of Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands at the
National Park Service. Mr. Caldwell is no stranger to this
Committee.
Mr. Caldwell, welcome, and we look forward to your
testimony.
STATEMENT OF MICHAEL A. CALDWELL, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PARK
PLANNING, FACILITIES, AND LANDS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Mr. Caldwell. Thank you.
Chairman King, Ranking Member Daines, and members of the
Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the
Department of the Interior's views on 15 of the bills on
today's agenda. I would like to submit our full statements on
these bills for the record and summarize the Department's
views.
Senator King. Without objection.
Mr. Caldwell. I would also like to submit the Department's
statement for the record on an additional bill, S. 594,
requiring the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to
prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National
Scenic Trail. We ask that any questions on that bill be
referred to the Bureau of Land Management.
The Department strongly supports S. 384, establishing the
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, and supports the
following eight bills: S. 432, authorizing a wild and scenic
river study of sections of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream;
S. 507, establishing the Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. National
Historic Site; S. 608, authorizing a wild and scenic river
study of the Deerfield River; S. 924, authorizing a 10-year
extension of the C&O Canal National Historical Park Advisory
Commission; S. 961, redesignating the Salem Maritime National
Historic Site as a National Historical Park and authorizing a
boundary study; S. 1059, adjusting the boundary of Big Bend
National Park; S. 1097, establishing the Cesar E. Chavez and
the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park; and S. 1277,
modifying the boundary of Mammoth Cave National Park. The
reasons for our support of these bills are explained in our
full statements. For many of the bills, we are requesting
amendments, and we would be happy to work with the Committee on
drafting them.
The Department supports the goal of S. 2018, directing the
preparation of an assessment and plan for addressing internet
and cellular service needs in national parks. We would
appreciate having more time to evaluate the bill.
Regarding S. 562, establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie
Till-Mobley and Roberts Temple National Historic Site, the
Department strongly supports the bill's efforts to increase
public understanding of the momentous impact that Emmett Till's
funeral had on our nation's awareness of the injustices
suffered by African Americans. Congress could also consider
authorizing a special resource study of the site. We recommend
amendments if the Committee moves ahead with this bill.
The Department does not support--or does not support as
introduced--the following three bills: S. 284, directing the
Secretary of the Interior to include the name of Vincent
Illuzzi, Sr. on the Taras Shevchenko Memorial; S. 527,
establishing the African Burial Ground International Memorial
Museum and Educational Center--if the Committee moves forward
with this bill, we recommend that it be amended to instead
provide for a feasibility study of the facility; and S. 886,
authorizing the Women's Suffrage National Monument to be
located on the National Mall. We strongly support locating the
monument in a place of honor and prominence, but not in the
Reserve. The Department has worked to protect the Reserve by
discouraging the establishment of any new commemorative works
within it.
Finally, regarding S. 351, designating six creeks in or
close to Cape Lookout National Seashore in honor of six
individuals who lost their lives in a plane crash, the
Department has concerns about the appropriateness of
memorializing victims of accidents by naming geographic
features for them and the precedent that might set.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement, and I would be
pleased to answer any questions you may have.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Caldwell follows:]
[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Senator King. I appreciate that testimony, Mr. Caldwell,
and the provisions that you mentioned in terms of further
testimony being filed for the record, that will take place.
That is done without objection.
On the connectivity bill that Senator Barrasso and I have
recently introduced, I think I heard you to say that you
understand the concept and look forward to working with us. So
my request is, because we are trying to move forward with these
bills, is that that process be undertaken promptly.
Mr. Caldwell. Yes, sir.
Senator King. So that we can determine the best way to
proceed because we are really talking about public safety in
this case. And so we look forward to working with the Park
Service on that.
Mr. Caldwell. Yes, we look forward to working with the
Committee on that.
Senator King. And do you have any thoughts on the question
of sort of reexamining the Reserve limitation, because we
seem--we are going to have more and more of these cases that
are ad hoc. And it seems to me it would be useful for us, for
the Committee, to have a broader consideration of these issues.
Do you concur?
Mr. Caldwell. Yes, I concur. I think the Department and the
Park Service would welcome an opportunity to work with the
Committee and look at those issues that you addressed in your
opening statement.
Senator King. And to be clear, it's your position--you are
in favor of the suffragist memorial. It's a question of where
it's located on the Mall, is that correct?
Mr. Caldwell. Yes, we fully support the intent of the
memorial. Our concern is the location in the Reserve.
Senator King. Thank you.
Senator Daines.
Senator Daines. Mr. Caldwell, I have a couple of questions
on the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act. And I want to
thank my colleague from New Mexico, Senator Heinrich, for being
such a great partner, leading here, as we are kind of the Alpha
and Omega here on this trail--the beginning and the end. Well,
we continue to debate which is the beginning, but let's just
say we both agree we need to get it done.
This trail will help increase recreation in Montana.
Completing it improves safety and support for our gateway
communities. It's my understanding that the Forest Service is
the lead agency for the trail. The Department of the Interior
and the Park Service do play critical roles though in managing
the trail. Do you agree that it is important that we work
together to find solutions for the gaps that remain in places
like Montana and other states?
Mr. Caldwell. Well, I think, certainly based on the Park
Service experience, whether it's that trail or the less
challenging Appalachian Trail from Senator Heinrich, working
with communities and partners across the trail is----
Senator Heinrich. It was a friendly jab----
Mr. Caldwell. Okay, I got it. Yes, it is fundamental----
Senator Heinrich. We both need to do some homework in each
other's states.
Senator Daines. Let the record show though, I support
Senator Heinrich in his comments.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Caldwell. It is fundamental to the successful
administration of a trail. And I think, specific to the bill,
obviously, our statement said that the BLM has taken the
Department's lead, but I think your assessment, Senator, of
what makes it successful is spot-on.
Senator Daines. This trail goes through numerous national
parks: Glacier Park, Yellowstone, the Rocky Mountain National
Park. Does the Park Service have any stats on the economic
impact of the trail on gateway communities in states like
Montana?
Mr. Caldwell. I think, in terms of specific to the trail, I
would have to get back to you and the Committee on that
question.
As you know, though, the economic impact of National Park
Service units in the State of Montana in 2021 was almost $730
million of economic impact. So in terms of the specifics,
though, we can find out and get back to the Committee on that.
Senator Daines. Mr. Caldwell, thank you.
Mr. Chairman, I have no more questions.
Senator King. Questions or comments, Senator Heinrich?
Senator Heinrich. I will direct most of my questions in
writing to the BLM.
But I will have one quick question for you, Mr. Caldwell.
As I mentioned in my statement, the CDT, as it currently
stands, has a number of gaps in its route, totaling about 160
miles that don't have completed trail. Do you have any thoughts
on how closing these gaps will allow the trail to better
support the mission of National Park System units like El
Malpais in New Mexico or Glacier in Montana?
Mr. Caldwell. I think, certainly, any effort, and as you
have described, a multi-agency effort to close those gaps is
hugely important for the National Park Service. Having our
visitors be able to find signage and trails and where they can
get services is critically important for us. So we would
certainly support any efforts that do that.
Senator Heinrich. That's all. Chairman.
Senator King. Mr. Caldwell, thank you very much for your
testimony.
For those in attendance at the hearing, this is the first
step of the legislative process, a hearing on the bills, and
the record of this Subcommittee will remain open for two weeks
from today for comments, suggestions, and support or opposition
to any of the bills that have been listed on the Committee's
agenda for the day.
At that point, hopefully, the next step for us will be what
is called a markup of the bills where we actually meet in
committee and decide about amendments and changes and which
bills should be sent on to the full committee, in which case
there will be another markup, and then, hopefully to the floor
of the U.S. Senate.
So thank you for your attendance today.
Mr. Caldwell, thank you very much for your testimony.
This hearing is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:56 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
APPENDIX MATERIAL SUBMITTED
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