[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            AMERICAN LAND SOVEREIGNTY PROTECTION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce legislation which 
will require the specific approval of Congress before any area within 
the United States is subject to an international land use nomination, 
classification, or designation. International land use designations 
such as World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and some other 
international land use designations can affect the use and market value 
of non-Federal lands adjacent to or intermixed with Federal lands. 
Legislation is needed to require the specific approval of Congress 
before any area within the United States is made subject to an 
international land use restriction. The rights of non-Federal 
landowners need to be protected if these international reserves are 
created.
  This legislation asserts the power of Congress under article IV, 
section 3 of the U.S. Constitution over management and use of lands 
belonging to the United States; protects State sovereignty from 
diminishment as a result of Federal actions creating lands with 
international designations; ensures that no U.S. citizen suffers any 
diminishment or loss of individual rights as a result of Federal 
actions creating lands with international designations; protects 
private interests in real property from diminishment as a result of 
Federal actions creating lands with international designations; and 
provides a process under which the United States may when desirable 
designate lands for inclusion under certain international agreements.
  Many Americans may be surprised by the expanse of our Nation's 
territory which is subject to various special international 
restrictions, most of which have evolved over the last 25 years. The 
most extensive international land use designations are UNESCO Biosphere 
Reserve Programs and World Heritage Sites. These international land 
designations have largely been created with minimal, if any, 
congressional input or oversight or public input. They are usually 
promoted as a type honorary title which will provide additional 
publicity resulting in increased tourist visits and a corresponding 
increase in economic benefits. Promoters at UNESCO Biosphere Reserves 
and World Heritage Sites say these programs are voluntary and 
nonbinding.
  However, in becoming a party to agreements underlying international 
land use designations, the host government explicitly promises to 
undertake certain actions to protect these areas and limit or prohibit 
certain land uses. Honoring one of these agreements could force the 
Federal Government to choose between regulating surrounding non-Federal 
land uses to conform to the designated international use of breaking a 
pledge to other nations.
  Federal regulatory actions could prohibit certain uses of non-Federal 
lands outside the boundary of the international designation, thereby 
causing a significant negative impact on the value of non-Federal 
property and on the local and regional economy. This legislation would 
compel the Congress to consider the implications of an international 
designation and protect non-Federal lands before the designation is 
made.

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