[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 32 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: March 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
{time} 1310
INCREASING HIGHWAY AUTHORIZATION FOR CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA
NATIONAL MILITARY PARK IN GEORGIA
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3516) to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for
assistance for highway relocation regarding the Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park in Georgia, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3516
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 1(c) of the Act entitled ``An Act to authorize and
direct the National Park Service to assist the State of
Georgia in relocating a highway affecting the Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park in Georgia'', approved
December 24, 1987 (101 Stat. 1442), is amended by striking
``$30,000,000'' and inserting ``$45,000,000''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Montgomery). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] will be recognized for 20 minutes,
and the gentleman from Wyoming [Mr. Thomas] will be recognized for 20
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento].
general leave
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
H.R. 3516, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3516, introduced by my colleague on the Natural
Resources Committee, Representative Nathan Deal, increases the level of
funding authorized to assist the State of Georgia in relocating a
highway corridor currently crossing the Chickamauga and Chattanooga
National Military Park. A hearing was held on this measure by the
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on February 8,
1994, and the Committee on Natural Resources approved H.R. 3516 with an
amendment on March 9, 1994.
The park, which was established in 1890, was the first of the
national military parks, and has been closely maintained in its
original state. Most of the historic road system that existed in 1863
remains largely intact with the exception of LaFayette Road--a crucial
artery of the battle which has since become better known as Highway 27,
a major north-south commuter route.
Legislation enacted with the 100th Congress (Public Law 100-211)
authorized $30 million in Federal funds to assist the State of Georgia
in relocating the stretch of highway to an area outside the park, with
the Federal contribution totaling 75 percent of the total cost of the
project. H.R. 3516, as amended, would increase that amount to $45
million. Since enactment of Public Law 100-211, $23.5 million has been
appropriated for the relocation project. The National Park Service, in
consultation with the Federal Highway Administration and the Georgia
Department of Transportation, now estimates the total cost of the
project at $57.5 million, thus the Federal contribution, under the
current 75-25 percent cost sharing arrangement, would total $43.2
million. This legislation accommodates the new figures and raises the
authorized level to $45 million.
The 3.7 miles of the highway located within the park continues to
present a significant impediment to visitor safety and enjoyment of the
park, and its increasing use threatens the park's resources. This
project is well underway--the planning process is virtually complete. I
urge my colleagues to support the increase in authorization so that the
bypass can be constructed and the park's resources preserved.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3516, a measure to increase by
$15 million the authorization for construction of a highway bypass
around Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
Chairman Vento has adequately explained this measure. The need for
this project has been identified in the park plan and it is the highest
priority construction project at the park.
Construction of this bypass road will have a positive impact on the
visitor experience at the park and I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting it.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Deal], a member of the committee and a
sponsor of the bill.
(Mr. DEAL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Mr. Vento
and Mr. Miller for their continued support for this project. I
especially would like to thank my fellow colleague from Georgia, Mr.
Darden, for his involvement in this project. He and I have a similar
interest in this park and bypass in that they were previously in his
district and the initial funding was made available through his
efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3516. As Mr. Vento
stated, H.R. 3516 is a bill to increase the authorization of
appropriations for the National Park Service to assist Georgia in
relocating a highway affecting the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National
Military Park.
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was
established in 1890 to commemorate the Civil War military engagements
which took place there and to allow opportunities for future study of
these historic battles. The park was administered by the War Department
until 1933 when jurisdiction was transferred to the National Park
Service. In addition to its inspirational and commemorative values, the
park is also used for military instruction, although this military
activity was substantially curtailed following its transfer to the
National Park Service. Today, the Army Command General Staff continues
to bring field classes here to study the military strategies used
during the battles.
Specifically, this project reroutes a 3.7-mile section of U.S.
Highway 27, which passes through the park, by way of a 7-mile-long
bypass around the western boundary. This rerouting is necessary to
protect the natural and historic resources within the park from damages
caused by heavy traffic.
Highway 27 is a major north-south highway through the center of
Chickamauga National Military Park connecting Chattanooga, TN to
Florida. It is a well traveled commuter route between northwest Georgia
and Chattanooga. On average, 16,200 vehicles pass through the park each
day by way of Highway 27.
U.S. Highway 27 serves as a vital north-south link among the three
States and its renewal is a top priority of the Georgia DOT. Highway 27
presently is undergoing construction from end to end to upgrade the
highway for substantial commercial usage. At this point, the State of
Georgia has allocated $71.7 million to the full length of the highway.
In fiscal year 1993, Georgia DOT appropriated $12.4 million for the
project, and for fiscal year 1994 through fiscal year 1999 it has
authorized and will receive $353.4 million for completion of the
project. When complete, Highway 27 will be a four-lane highway through
rural areas of Georgia and will include five-lane bypass sections
around urban areas with limited access.
The matching funds for this project are 75 percent Federal to 25
percent State. Total appropriated Federal funds for this project now
stand at $23,456,000. Revised cost estimates by the Federal Highway
Administration [FHWA], based on the Georgia Department of
Transportation's actual average bid prices, increase the total cost of
this project to $57.53 million. This increases the Federal share to
$43.2 million. This amount exceeds the total funds authorized under
Public Law 100-211 by $13.2 million. Therefore, this project needs to
be reauthorized to reflect the appropriate dollar amounts.
Mr. Speaker, this is a worthwhile project for the State of Georgia.
The people of the Ninth District of Georgia thank the House for its
consideration of this bill.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Darden], the architect of this bill from
the 100th Congress, as he continues his hard work in terms of support
of this important project.
Mr. DARDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 3516. As the
chairman, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento], has explained, this
bill would provide authorization necessary to complete the task of
protecting the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military
Battlefield by constructing a highway bypass around the park.
I commend the chairman and also the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Deal]
for their diligent efforts in bringing this important ongoing project
in the State of Georgia before this body today.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about unfunded mandates and
situations in which the Federal Government imposes rules and
regulations on States without picking up the cost of the mandates that
they pass on to us. This situation is different, however, because when
the Federal Government properly ruled, the National Park Service, the
highway could not be widened within the park, this would have placed an
undue amount of expense on the State and the counties to bring this
parkway around this very historic national park.
Working with the Committee on the Interior staff several years ago
and specifically the staff director, Dale Crane, we worked out a
formula of 75 percent Federal and 25 percent State participation so we
could assure that the extra cost brought about by the Federal
Government's ruling would, in fact, be borne by the Federal Government,
with the State participating up to 25 percent. This is a good
compromise.
It is a good bill. It is necessary to raise the ceiling on the
authorization, and I want to thank everyone involved for their strong
support of this and ask that the House pass this legislation
overwhelmingly.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3516. As Chairman Vento
has explained, this bill will provide the authorization necessary to
complete the task of protecting the Chickamauga and Chattanooga
National Military Battlefield Park by constructing a highway bypass
around the park. I commend the Chairman and Congressman Deal for their
diligent efforts in bringing this important, ongoing project in the
State of Georgia before this body today.
Mr. Speaker, the need for the highway bypass around the Chickamauga
and Chattanooga National Military Battlefield Park in Walker and
Catoosa County, GA, is clear. The Committee on Natural Resources'
report on this project concludes that without relocation of a portion
of U.S. Highway 27 from its current route through the park, important
sections of the park will be damaged by the negative effects of heavy
automobile traffic.
Mr. Speaker, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park,
which was first established in 1890, is the oldest and largest national
military park in the Nation. This area was the site of battles over the
course of several months in the fall of 1863. These engagements
involved the soldiers of many States, including Wisconsin, Indiana,
Alabama, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, and my home State of Georgia.
This park is an historical site of significance that touches our entire
nation.
Mr. Speaker, over the past several years the Congress has supported
the effort to protect the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park. I
urge my colleagues to continue this support by approving H.R. 3516
which will allow this project to move forward to a successful
completion.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I commend both of the sponsors, the gentlemen from Georgia
[Mr. Deal] and [Mr. Darden], for this important bill and for their
interest and dedication to this policy path.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3516, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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