[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 17 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E198-E199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        INTRODUCTION OF THE OLD FAITHFUL PROTECTION ACT OF 1995

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                           HON. PAT WILLIAMS

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 27, 1995
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Old Faithful 
Protection Act of 1995. This will be the third Congress that I have 
introduced legislation seeking to protect Yellowstone National Park's 
natural wonders.
  The legislation I present today is essentially the bill that passed 
the House Of Representatives last Congress by overwhelming margins. 
There are just two notable exceptions, both improvements that should 
provide even more support for the bill.
  This legislation now provides for a land trade with the only private 
geothermal-rights holder adjacent to Yellowstone and it incorporates 
the changes suggested by the Idaho and Wyoming Governors. These changes 
remove any questions regarding private property rights or State 
acceptance issues raised each Congress by the Senate.
  With, to my knowledge, all questions answered I have high hopes that 
this Congress we will demonstrate the legislative will to finally 
protect the crown jewels of our national treasure--Yellowstone National 
Park. Twice before the House of Representatives has passed protection 
for Yellowstone, and twice now the tiniest minority of 
antienvironmental Senators have blocked its consideration in the 
Senate. Twice now a few Senators have refused to allow legislation to 
even be heard unless everyone involved will agree with them up front.
  There is no question that this Congress will be wrestling with a wide 
variety of environmental issues. Many believe that the Republican 
contract is really open warfare on this Nation's environmental law. I 
believe that the verdict is still out but, one thing I know for 
certain, failure to pass this legislation will be a 
[[Page E199]] clear indication of the new majority's inability to even 
address the most basic environmental concerns.
  This legislation recognizes the ongoing work that State and private 
folks have done to protect Yellowstone geothermal features while still 
providing clear direction and a legal framework to build on these 
various efforts. This legislation is the result of legislative efforts 
begun in the 1988 amendments to the Geothermal Steam Lease Act. That 
legislation established a
 list of geothermal resources that should not be allowed to be 
developed under this Nation's steam leasing laws. Yellowstone was the 
most threatened of these cultural sites and it was chosen as a test 
case for protection.

  Since that time State and Federal officials have worked toward a 
cooperative way of protecting Yellowstone thermal wonders. All 
concerned agree that although gains have been made this legislation 
presented today is keenly necessary to complete our pledge to provide 
rock-ribbed, ironclad, copper-rivited protection for Yellowstone's 
geysers, and hot pots.
  The legislation also provides a pattern for the protection of other 
geothermal treasures such as Crater Lake in Oregon. This legislation is 
a bipartisan proposal that has complete support from the State 
governments adjacent to the park and it shares environmental support 
with no known development concern.
  The land exchange that is attached to the bill removes the only 
permit, given in any State, for drilling hot water adjacent to 
Yellowstone. The exchange provides solutions to access problems while 
granting to the Government hundreds of claims to hot water in the 
Corwin Springs KGRA. Public access in general is improved to federal 
land and the Church Universal and Triumphant is provided a welcome 
solution to their longstanding inholding problems.
  This exchange solves a problem created by the time it has taken to 
address this issue and is luckily the only problem that currently 
exists. Failure to act will only make a final solution more difficult. 
Wrongheaded ideology is all that stands in the way of true statutory 
protection for Yellowstone and Old Faithful.
  I hope we will move quickly to save the last intact geyser basin in 
the world. It is our duty to do so.


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