[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12359-S12367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PRESIDIO PROPERTIES ADMINISTRATION ACT

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now 
turn to the consideration of H.R. 4236.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 4236) to provide for the administration of 
     certain Presidio properties at minimal cost to the Federal 
     taxpayer, and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today the Senate is considering the Omnibus 
Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, H.R. 4236. I rise to 
speak in support of this important legislation and to urge my 
colleagues to render their support.
  H.R. 4236 evidences a Herculean effort by the entire membership of 
this Congress as the provisions of the legislation will touch and 
affect the width and breadth of our great Nation. The Washington Post 
noted in an editorial today that

       [i]t's amazing what a Congress finally comes down to. The 
     members spend two years making speeches and otherwise taking 
     positions on the great issues of the time, whatever those may 
     be. Then it turns out that what they really care about are 
     not those lofty issues at all but lesser items. . . . this 
     year's case in point involves the parks bill still before the 
     Senate.

  Contrary to the cynical and negative view of the Washington Post, I 
am of the belief that this legislation is of primary importance to the 
people of my great home State of Mississippi and to the people of this 
great Nation. Why do I say this? Clearly, the thousands of phone calls 
and letters that I have received expressing the importance of the many 
worthy projects and goals as set forth in this bill--projects such as 
the Corinth, MS, battlefield interpretive center and the Natchez 
National Historical Park visitor's center--are evidence of the support 
these projects have received and of their importance. The support in my 
home State has been overwhelming as many individuals and groups have 
worked tirelessly to preserve and protect the heritage of our great 
State as well as to provide the proper surroundings and facilities for 
visitors to these cities from Mississippi and from other States.
  What could be a more worthy goal of our efforts and what could 
provide our people with better examples of what is right with America? 
Our parks are a refuge from the tediousness of our daily work lives 
and from the sense of frustration we feel as we watch the world change 
around us. Our parks reassure us that this country will preserve the 
heritage that has made our country great.

  And where do these attitudes develop from which we seek this refuge? 
Why, from the media's constant highlighting of the negative factors we 
face rather from the hope and optimism that produces change and 
improvement, of course.
  A famous American once remarked that he preferred death to a loss of 
liberty. Mr. President, I prefer the worthy goals envisioned in this 
legislation and the efforts to achieve those goals to the negativism of 
the media--give me the enjoyment, serenity, and educational 
opportunities provided by our parks and permit me to pass on the 
negativism provided by the Washington Post.
  Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to commend the people 
of the Corinth and Natchez areas of Mississippi for their dedication to 
the goals that we achieve by the passage of this legislation today. To 
them I say, well done, good and faithful servants and protectors of the 
public interest.
  Mr. President, I would also like to take this opportunity to commend 
the leadership and tenacity of my friend and colleague, the Senator 
from Alaska, the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee, Senator Murkowski. He has represented his State well in this 
matter and has never lost sight of the best interests of the country as 
a whole.
  Mr. President, I have concerns that we have not adequately addressed 
private property rights in this bill as we could and should have done. 
We could and should have done more to adequately address private 
property rights protection in every aspect as those rights are affected 
by Federal law. I pledge my continued support to those efforts in the 
next Congress. However,

[[Page S12360]]

despite such failure, the worthiness of this legislation and the good 
it will do for the people of Mississippi and the rest of the United 
States has convinced me to strongly support this bill and to urge my 
colleagues to give H.R. 4236 their strong support.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation which addresses the urgent needs of many national parks 
across our country.
  This bill is important to maintaining the historical integrity of 
Virginia's national parks and provides additional protections and 
recognition for 10 historically significant Civil War battlefields in 
the Shenandoah Valley.
  This legislation also includes a provision I have sponsored for many 
years authorizing a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the 
District of Columbia. The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the oldest 
predominately African-American fraternity in the United States, will 
establish this memorial without cost to the Federal Government.
  Freestanding legislation sponsored by Senator Sarbanes and myself has 
been favorably reported from the Committee on Rules and Administration 
last year and in prior Congresses. This memorial will live as tangible 
recognition of Dr. King's remarkable contributions to our Nation. It 
ensures that his message of nonviolence and freedom for all must be 
passed from generation to generation.
  In accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, Dr. King said:

       Nonviolence is the answer to crucial political and moral 
     questions of our time; the need for man to overcome 
     oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and 
     violence.

  Mr. President, I would be remiss not to commend Chairman Murkowski of 
the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the ranking member, 
Senator Johnston for their determination to forge a bipartisan package 
and for their continued attention to the protection of Virginia's 
historic resources.
  Throughout this Congress, the members of the Energy Committee have 
worked with me to advance the protections of the Civil War battlefields 
in the Shenandoah Valley and to provide for a modest expansion of both 
the Colonial National Historic Park and the Cumberland Gap National 
Historical Park.
  The conference report on the Omnibus Parks bill before the Senate 
last week included additional provisions relating to the management of 
the Richmond National Battlefield Park and the boundaries of the 
Shenandoah National Park.
  Mr. President, these provisions had the bipartisan support of the 
Virginia delegation and permitted the Park Service to improve the 
management and to expand the boundaries to include historically 
significant lands in these parks.
  I am very disappointed that the administration did not concur with 
the views of the Virginia delegation and raised significant objections 
to these two provisions. While updating the boundaries of the 
Shenandoah National Park and expanding the boundaries of the Richmond 
National Park are very important to me and to those host local 
governments and citizens, I understand the need to move forward with 
this bill today.
  Let me be clear, that I look forward to bringing these two matters 
back before the Senate next year. I know that with further discussions 
with the administration, the Park Service will understand our intent to 
respond to the resource needs of these parks.
  Mr. President, despite these omissions, the matter before the Senate 
includes three provisions for Virginians that represent years of hard 
work, dedication, and commitment by many individuals at the local 
level.
  I am very pleased that this bill provides for the expansion of the 
Colonial National Historic Park and the Cumberland Gap National Park, 
and brings long overdue national recognition to the Civil War 
battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley.
  The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is the 
product of an in-depth study by the National Park Service which was 
authorized by the Congress in 1990. The Park Service conducted field 
surveys of fifteen battlefields in the valley and concluded in their 
analysis that ``because of their size and unprotected status, the 
battlefields of the Shenandoah Valley were its most important most 
neglected, and most threatened resource.''
  The legislation before the Senate today provides for the preservation 
and visitor understanding of the significant battlefields of McDowell, 
Cross Keys, Port Republic, Second Winchester, New Market, Fisher's 
Hill, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek, Kernstown, and Opequon. The historic 
district also incorporates the historic transportation routes utilized 
by both Union and Confederate troops during the pivotal valley 
campaigns of 1862 and 1864.
  Mr. President, throughout my service in this body, I have been 
actively involved in the preservation of Virginia's historic resources. 
One of my first initiatives in 1980 was to sponsor legislation to 
expand the boundaries of the Manassas National Battlefield Park by 
1,522 acres. I am pleased that the Congress continues it's recognition 
of Virginia's rich history and contributions to our national heritage 
with the designation of the valley's battlefields as a historic 
district.

  Many citizens committed to fostering the protection of these 
battlefields have worked diligently since the Park Service study began 
in 1990 to craft a consensus proposal that recognizes the limits of the 
Federal Government's resources to acquire substantial acreage in the 
valley and balances the needs of property owners and local governments 
to provide for their economic future.
  I have remained committed to this effort because of the steadfast 
support and leadership by many local citizens, property owners, 
preservationists, and local government officials in the valley. They 
have given generously of their personal time to organize local 
meetings, testify before Congress, and work with the Park Service to 
advance our proposal. It is clear that our efforts today would not be 
possible without their firm resolve and passion to preserve these 
battlefields.
  According to the Park Service, the areas in the valley possess 
significant historical integrity and remain in excellent condition for 
preservation.
  The citizens of the valley are to be commended for their responsible 
stewardship over the years to protect these battlefields for future 
generations to enjoy and understand the tragedy of the Civil War in the 
valley. Today, this bill ensures that they will no longer be 
shouldering this effort alone. Today, the National Park Service becomes 
a full partner in this task.
  The central feature of the historic district designation is to 
encourage and promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the Federal 
Government, State and local governments, property owners, and 
preservations groups.
  We have been fortunate that the valley's predominately agricultural 
land uses have provided protection for these battlefields. This rural 
landscape, however, is rapidly changing.
  Now is the time for the Federal Government to become a full partner 
with local and private efforts to bring national recognition and to 
develop a coordinated preservation strategy for these battlefields.
  As noted in the Study of Civil War Sites in the Shenandoah Valley of 
Virginia ``no single alternative is best suited to these sites. A 
balance must be achieved between preservation, the Valley lifestyle, 
and economic development * * *''.
  In keeping with these recommendations, I believe the historic 
district designation with specific duties for the Park Service and 
Commission provides the right balance for preserving these 
battlefields.
  With direct Federal assistance and resources, a commission comprised 
of local representatives and historians to devise a plan for 
stewardship, the authority for the Secretary and the commission to 
enter into cooperative arrangements with local governments and private 
landowners, we are achieving enormous protections for these national 
treasures and promoting compatible economic growth through heritage 
tourism.
  Mr. President, the provision on the Colonial National Historic Park 
passed this body earlier this year and in prior Congresses. It 
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey land and sewer lines 
to the County of York and authorizes the necessary funding to 
rehabilitate the Moore House sewer system to meet current Federal 
standards.

[[Page S12361]]

  The necessity for this legislation is evident based on the growing 
needs of the county and the limitations of the National Park Service's 
ability to continue to provide sewer services to the local community.
  In 1948 and 1956 Congress passed legislation which directed the 
National Park Service to design and construct sewer systems to serve 
Federal and non-Federal properties in the area of Yorktown, VA. In 
1956, the National Park Service acquired easements from the board of 
supervisors of York County and the trustees of the town of York. At 
that time, York County was a rural area with limited financing and 
population. Now, York County has a fully functioning Department of 
Environmental Services which operates sewer systems throughout York 
County.
  Negotiations to transfer the Yorktown and Moore House systems have 
been ongoing since the 1970's. This provision fulfills the commitments 
made between the Park Service and York County to provide for the full 
transfer of ownership to York County.
  Equally important, is another element of the Colonial provision which 
permits the acquisition of a small parcel of land along the Colonial 
Parkway near Jamestown. This 20-acre parcel is critical to protect the 
scenic integrity of the parkway. This area has the narrowest right-of-
way of any portion of the parkway.
  The acquisition includes one row of lots adjoining the parkway in a 
rapidly developing residential neighborhood known as Page Landing. 
Development of those lots would have a severe impact on the scenic 
qualities of the parkway. In order to prevent any disturbances to this 
land, the conservation fund responded quickly to purchase this parcel. 
The Park Service identified this property as a high priority and the 
conservation fund intends to transfer title to the land to the Park 
Service.
  The Colonial Parkway was authorized by Congress as part of the 
Colonial National Historic Park in the 1930's to connect Jamestown, 
Williamsburg, and Yorktown with a scenic limited access motor road. 
According to the 1938 act of Congress, the parkway corridor is to be an 
average of 500 feet in width. In most areas, the roadway was built in 
the middle of the corridor. In the area between Mill Creek and Neak 
O'Land road, however, the parkway was built closer to the northern 
boundary to avoid wetlands, placing the roadway very close to the 
adjoining private property.
  This segment is the only area along the parkway where the National 
Park Service owns only 100 feet back from the centerline of the road. 
The Park Service owns 250 feet or more from the center line in all 
other areas of the 23-mile parkway in James City County and York 
County.
  Mr. President, this bill ensures that the Colonial Parkway provides a 
consistent level of scenic integrity along the entire parkway that will 
well-serve the purpose of the parkway for years to come.
  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about provisions in 
the omnibus parks bill that affect my State, Virginia. Our Commonwealth 
is rich in historic and natural resources and I am pleased to support a 
parks bill that establishes a national historic district in the 
Shenandoah Valley and authorizes improvements to the Colonial National 
Historical Park.
  Mr. President, establishing a national historic district in the 
Shenandoah Valley will help preserve the legacy of the Civil War in the 
valley. We worked with people at the grassroots level to balance the 
interests of property owners, local and State government officials, and 
historic preservationists while providing a Federal presence to protect 
the battlefields from development. This new designation means the 
historic district will have the national recognition and resources of a 
national park unit, but it will enjoy complete local control.
  This legislation also establishes a commission made up of landowners, 
preservationists, and local and State government officials to work 
cooperatively with the Park Service to preserve the battlefields. The 
Commission will have the power to administer and manage the park, while 
the Park Service will help with technical assistance and land 
acquisition.
  Mr. President, we have also been working for years to make 
improvements at the Colonial National Historical Park, and this bill 
finally permits two actions that will improve the park's management. 
The parks bill authorizes a boundary adjustment to permit the Park 
Service to acquire property adjacent to the Colonial Parkway, the 
scenic 23-mile road connecting Jamestown Island, Williamsburg, and 
Yorktown.
  The Colonial provision also allows the Park Service to transfer a 
sewage system to the appropriate service authority, York County. 
Managing the sewer system does not fall under the responsibilities of 
the Park Service and the transfer should have been completed years ago.
  Mr. President, work remains on resolving boundary concerns for 
Shenandoah National Park and the Richmond Battlefields Park, and I am 
hopeful that the Virginia congressional delegation will work to achieve 
a solution in the 105th Congress. The progress we've made will provide 
a framework for the next Congress so we may finally address the 
concerns of private landowners, local governments, and 
preservationists.
  In addition, Congress should move forward next year and pass 
legislation that highlights the special historical significance of the 
New Market Heights battlefield. Preservation of this area is important, 
for it marks the area where 14 black Federal soldiers won the Army 
Medal of Honor for Valor. The sacrifices of these soldiers were so 
notable that they helped ensure passage of the 13th amendment, which 
abolished slavery.
  In conclusion, Mr. President, I am proud to represent a State 
interested in the protection of our natural, cultural, and historic 
resources. And that is why I stand in support of the Virginia 
provisions in this bill. The passage of this bill demonstrates our 
concern and commitment to preserving our national parks.
  Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I am extremely pleased that today the 
Senate is acting to ensure the preservation of Sterling Forest, a 
nationally significant tract of land in the Highlands area of New York 
State on the New Jersey border. This bill authorizes $17.5 million for 
establishment of a Sterling Forest Reserve and designates the Palisades 
Interstate Park Commission [PIPC] to manage the new entity. The over 
15,000 acres of Sterling Forest we protect today is the last link 
needed to form an unbroken chain of 100,000 acres of parks and 
protected lands in the New York-New Jersey region--one of the biggest 
parcels of protected land east of the Mississippi River.
  Not only do these lands contain a wide variety of wildlife and 
plants, but they also protect one-fourth of the drinking water for New 
Jersey and provide needed open space for about 20 million people in the 
New York-New Jersey metropolitan region.
  The land will be purchased from willing sellers through a unique 
partnership of State, Federal, and private interests and will be 
managed by the PIPC, a New York-New Jersey parks management body. Since 
the PIPC currently manages 23 other parks, visited by over 8 million 
people each year, we can be assured that the reserve will be well cared 
for.
  The Federal contribution authorized by this bill amounts to only a 
small portion of the total needed, but it is the crucial piece that 
makes the rest of the plan come together. Enactment of this bill also 
frees up $9 million for Sterling Forest land acquisition, contained in 
the recently-enacted Continuing resolution.
  Although located entirely in New York State, the area affected by the 
bill represents some of the most critical New Jersey watershed still 
left undeveloped and in private hands. It also contains the largest 
unbroken tract of forest land still remaining along the New York-New 
Jersey border. This 20-square-mile parcel represents a complete range 
of wildlife habitat, hills and wetlands, and is home to a large number 
of threatened and endangered species.
  The forest is crossed in the north by the Appalachian Trail, a unit 
of the National Park System, which is used heavily for hiking. Even 
better, this area provides a taste of the outdoors for a region where 
such experiences are at a premium. In fact, 1 in every 12

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Americans lives within a 2-hour drive of its boundaries.
  Most important for New Jersey, though, are the billions of gallons of 
fresh, clean drinking water that flow from within its boundaries. The 
Monkville/Wanaque reservoirs, which draw from the Sterling Forest 
watershed, serve one in four New Jerseyites and many New Yorkers as 
well. To threaten this watershed is to threaten the health and 
livelihood of millions of Americans or force taxpayers to pay many 
times the cost of this land for expensive water treatment facilities.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr President, it gives me great satisfaction to rise today 
in support of HR 4236, the Omnibus Parks bill. Although this bill 
became entangled in several battles on other issues, I think everyone 
will agree that passage of this legislation in its final configuration 
represents the Senate's commitment to passing small, yet locally very 
important legislation that otherwise could have gotten lost in the 
shuffle. In particular, I am pleased to see one provision that will 
reform the Forest Service's fee structure for ski area permits on 
Forest Service land. Last year, Senator Murkowski and I introduced this 
bill to simplify the process of collecting fees from ski areas for use 
of Forest Service land.
  When I introduced the bill with Senator Murkowski, I emphasized the 
importance of this bill for ski areas across the country, but also the 
environmental importance of this bill. Skiing is one of the best uses 
that we have today on our national forests. The ski industry brings 
millions of people to the mountains to enjoy fresh air, scenery and the 
mountain environment. Few other national forest activities are able to 
host such intense public use with relatively minimal impact.
  By refining the structure of the fee structure, operators of ski 
areas will be able to continue in this productive relationship with the 
Forest Service. The streamlined fee structure will also enable the 
Forest Service to move towards a fee system that is closer to fair 
market value. It also will save the Forest Service and the ski industry 
considerable time and money in collecting these fees.
  It is my hope that through reforms such as this, the private sector 
and the Federal agencies that manage our public lands will continue to 
build a cooperative and productive relationship in protecting and 
providing access to our public lands.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise in support of the Omnibus Parks 
package and I would like to note the inclusion of two very important 
components in this package for my State.
  The first is authorization of $17.5 million for the Secretary of the 
Interior to purchase over 15,000 acres of the Sterling Forest. This 
land, located in New York, is the source of drinking water for 25 
percent of New Jersey households. Located just 35 miles from New York 
City, Sterling Forest contains excellent recreational and scenic 
opportunities and is habitat to hundreds of animal species. The 
developer of this land, a Swiss company, had plans to develop thousands 
of residential units and millions of square feet of commercial space. 
This legislation will ensure that these plans do not go forward. The 
Sterling Forest Corp. agreed to sell the property for $55 million. The 
Federal contribution will complement a commitment of $20 million from 
the governments of New York and New Jersey, and several million dollars 
from numerous private contributions.
  Mr. President, my colleague from New Jersey, Senator Bradley, and I 
sponsored legislation to protect the Sterling Forest and I am pleased 
to see it included in the package before us today.
  Mr. President, I am also pleased that the bill before us contains 
another important piece of legislation that Senator Bradley and I 
introduced--S. 188, to designate the Great Falls Historic District in 
Paterson, NJ. Mr. President, the Great Falls area of Paterson is known 
as the birthplace of the industrial revolution. In 1791, Alexander 
Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, founded the Society for the 
Establishment of Useful Manufacturers at the Great Falls. He used the 
Great Falls to supply power to various mills and factories, thereby 
allowing Paterson to become one of the world's great industrial cities.
  This legislation allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
cooperative agreements to preserve and interpret Paterson's history. 
This historic and cultural recognition would provide a great boost for 
jobs and economic development in Paterson and will complement an urban 
revitalization program under the leadership of Mayor William Pascrell.
  I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this important package.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, this omnibus parks legislation is a 
tremendous victory for the entire Nation.
  This landmark bill will protect natural and historic resources in 41 
States, including four areas of particular importance in Massachusetts. 
Senator Kerry and I have worked closely on these provisions with Senate 
Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski and 
Senate Parks Subcommittee Chairman Ben Nighthorse Campbell and the 
ranking members of the committee and subcommittee, Senators Bennett 
Johnston and Dale Bumpers. We commend them and thank them for their 
great assistance and support.
  The omnibus legislation establishes a new Whaling National Historical 
Park in New Bedford, which will preserve and showcase dozens of 
historic buildings that will appear much as they did in the whaling 
industry's heyday. The park will include the Seamen's Bethel--the 
church in Moby Dick where the narrator heard Father Mapple offer 
prayers for sailors before setting out to sea. It will also include the 
Ernestina, the restored, century-old vessel that is the oldest Grand 
Banks schooner in existence and is now moored in New Bedford's port.
  Another important feature of the park is the Old Dartmouth Historical 
Society's Whaling Museum, which houses the world's premier whaling 
archives and art collection. The museum's library contains thousands of 
ship logs, charts, maps, photos and other records documenting the 
history of whaling in America.
  Another important feature and demonstration of the strong private 
sector commitment to this park is the Visitor Center, located in an 
historic building that was donated last year by the Fleet Bank.
  I'm also pleased that the park will encourage cooperation with a 
North Slope Cultural Center being developed in Barrow, AK where whaling 
is still a way of life.
  The New Bedford National Whaling Historical Park will provide a 
significant boost to the economy of the region, as more and more 
visitors come to New Bedford to learn about its extraordinary history.
  The omnibus parks legislation also creates a Boston Harbor Islands 
National Recreation Area, which will preserve historic and cultural 
sites, expand recreational opportunities, and improve public access to 
the 31 picturesque islands that are found throughout Boston harbor.

  Each of these islands bears an indelible mark from past eras of the 
Nation's history. Their names alone capture the imagination--Hangman 
Island, Bumpkin Island, Moon Island, Castle Island, Spectacle Island, 
Hog Island, Raccoon Island, Snake Island, Nut Island, World's End 
Island, each with its own story and tradition.
  During the past three centuries, the islands' lighthouses and 
Revolutionary War-era fortifications have played a strategic role in 
the defense of Boston communities. Boston Light, which began operation 
in 1716 and is now the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the 
country, is located on Little Brewster Island.
  Today, the islands offer abundant opportunities for visitors to enjoy 
swimming, fishing, camping, digging clams, picking berries, catching 
butterflies, watching birds and whales, and hiking on well-maintained 
trails. All of the islands offer spectacular views of the modern Boston 
skyline and the Atlantic Ocean.
  The preservation of the Boston Harbor Islands has long-standing 
bipartisan support, and I am confident that the Boston Harbor Islands 
National Recreation Area will serve as a magnet to attract visitors to 
the many other cultural attractions in the Boston area.
  The omnibus parks bill also creates the Essex County Heritage 
District to protect the region's natural resources and emphasize its 
historic role in the

[[Page S12363]]

Nation's development. Essex County already includes 23 National 
Historic Landmarks, nearly 80 historic districts, and wharfs, 
shipyards, meeting house, textile mills, and numerous shoe factories 
that bear witness to the early settlements of the United States, and 
the area's emergence as a maritime and industrial power.
  The region also has extensive natural and scenic resources--
marshlands, beaches, harbors, rocky farmlands and islands--which amply 
demonstrate why maritime pursuits and water-powered industrial 
development first began here. The National Heritage Area will help 
ensure that visitors discover the many historic assets throughout Essex 
County.
  Finally, the omnibus parks legislation enables the Blackstone River 
National Heritage Corridor to continue to ensure that this region's 
unique heritage as the cradle of America's Industrial Revolution is 
preserved for generations to come. It adds five more communities to the 
Corridor--Worcester and Leicester in Massachusetts and Burrillville, 
Glocester, and Smithfield in Rhode Island. In addition, the bill 
extends the life of the Commission overseeing the Corridor for an 
additional 10 years, through 2006. The Blackstone Valley program has 
been a remarkable success and deserves this vote of confidence by 
Congress to continue this important work.
  The Nation will benefit immeasurably from the important parks 
provisions in this legislation. The omnibus parks bill is a significant 
investment in our Nation's natural and historical resources, and I 
commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their skillful 
work in developing this impressive bipartisan legislation. I urge the 
Senate to approve it.
  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the omnibus 
parks and public lands legislation which is expected to pass the Senate 
today, clearing the way for the President's signature. This legislation 
contains numerous important provisions to preserve and protect our 
Nation's scenic rivers and historic land areas. I am pleased that, 
after many days of negotiations, we have reached agreement on this 
important environmental legislation.
  Included in this comprehensive package is a bill to designate the 
Lamprey River in New Hampshire as part of the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. Recognizing the window of opportunity was closing, I 
recently fought to bring the Lamprey bill to a vote in the Senate, but 
unfortunately, I was blocked by the Democratic leader on two separate 
occasions. I continue to express my disappointment with the Clinton 
administration and Senate Democrats for holding up legislation that is 
so important to New Hampshire and many other States around the country.
  Even though the Lamprey River bill received unanimous support out of 
committee in the Senate, and it has passed the House of Representatives 
unanimously, the Democratic Party had objected to its passing in the 
Senate simply on the basis of partisan politics. I think the people of 
New Hampshire deserve better than that. They deserve to have partisan 
politics put aside for the sake of our environment.
  On August 10, 1995, Senator Gregg and I introduced S. 1174, the 
Lamprey Wild and Scenic River Act, to designate a segment of the 
Lamprey River in New Hampshire as part of the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. Since introduction, a hearing was held on the 
legislation in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and soon 
thereafter, the bill was reported unanimously out of the committee.

  The history of this legislation goes back almost 5 years when Senator 
Rudman and I introduced the Lamprey River study bill in February 1991, 
which was subsequently signed into law by President Bush later that 
year. Once the National Park Service determined the Lamprey River's 
eligibility for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a local 
advisory committee was formed to work with local communities, 
landowners, the National Park Service and New Hampshire's environment 
department in preparing a comprehensive management plan. This 
management plan was completed in January 1995.
  The Lamprey River Management Plan was subsequently endorsed by the 
advisory committee as well as the local governments affected by this 
designation. The primary criteria for my sponsorship of this 
legislation was the support of the local communities. If the affected 
towns did not vote in favor of designation, it would not have received 
my enthusiastic support.
  In fact, the town of Epping had expressed some reservation about 
designating the segment of the Lamprey which runs through the town and, 
out of respect for their concerns, the bill excludes that segment of 
the river. However, that segment was studied and found to be eligible, 
so we have included a section in our bill that would allow the town of 
Epping to be involved in the implementation of the management plan and, 
upon the town's request, be considered for future designation.
  The Lamprey River is well deserving of this designation for a number 
of reasons. Not only is the river listed on the 1982 National Park 
Service's inventory of outstanding rivers, but it has also been 
recognized by the State of New Hampshire as the ``most important 
coastal river for anadromous fish in the State.'' Herring, shad and 
salmon are among the anadromous species found in the river. In fact, 
New Hampshire fishing maps describe the Lamprey as ``a truly exeptional 
river offering a vast variety of fishing. It contains every type of 
stream and river fish you could expect to find in New England.''

  The Lamprey is approximately 60 miles in length and serves as the 
major tributary for the great Bay, which is part of the National 
Estuarine Research Reserve System. The Great Bay Refuge is also nearby, 
which was established several years ago following the closure of Pease 
Air Force Base. The preservation of the Lamprey is a significant 
component to protecting this entire ecosystem.
  The 11.5-mile segment, as proposed by our legislation, has been the 
focus of local protection efforts for many years. The towns of Lee, 
Durham, and Newmarket, local conservationists, the State government, as 
well as the congressional delegation have all come together in support 
of this legislation. I believe the management philosophy adopted by the 
advisory committee best articulates our goals for this legislation: ``* 
* * management of the river must strike a balance among desires to 
protect the river as an ecosystem, maintain the river for legitimate 
community use, and protect the interests and property rights of those 
who own its shorelands.''
  In conclusion, Mr. President, I want to congratulate the Senate 
majority leader Lott, Senator Murkowski, and others in negotiating an 
agreement on this comprehensive legislation. In addition, I want to 
especially commend two members of the Lamprey River Advisory 
Committee--Judith Spang of Durham, NH, and Richard Wellington of Lee, 
NH--who have worked very hard on the Lamprey River legislation and have 
traveled to Washington to testify on its behalf. I am very pleased 
that, at last, the fruits of their labor will be rewarded with the 
adoption of the omnibus parks bill. I urge the President to sign this 
important environmental legislation as the 104th Congress adjourns.
  Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent the bill be advanced to third 
reading and passed and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
all without further action or debate.
  The bill (H.R. 4236) was deemed read a third time and passed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record 
a letter from the Chief of Staff of the President, Mr. Leon Panetta, 
addressed to me as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources, and a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Dan 
Glickman to Mr. Mark Suwyn, president of the Louisiana-Pacific Corp.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
                                                  October 3, 1996.
     Hon. Frank H. Murkowski,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. 
         Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Murkowski: The Administration is aware of 
     your deep concerns regarding the problems of the Ketchikan 
     Pulp Company (KPC). Given your interest in these matters, we 
     propose that the government begin discussions on these issues 
     immediately. Those discussions must take place in

[[Page S12364]]

     the context of the Administration's long-standing policies, 
     namely: we will not consider an extension of the KPC's 
     contract until the Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP) is 
     complete; we cannot accept conditions reversing any part of 
     the Tongass Timber Reform Act; and, we will accept nothing 
     less than full compliance with all environmental laws.
       You have stated the company is considering closing the pulp 
     facility, which we would consider a material breach of the 
     contract. We understand that the company has a different 
     view. Based on our previous discussions we will agree to an 
     immediate mutual cancellation of the contract and give KPC 
     all of the timber and logs released under contract to them. 
     This should equal nearly 300 million board feet of timber. If 
     there is no mutual agreement on contract cancellation, timber 
     sales will be made available on a competitive basis in 
     Southeast Alaska in a sufficient supply to operate the two 
     sawmills for 24 months, and in accordance with applicable 
     law.
       The parties would cancel the contract based on their mutual 
     desire to avoid litigation over whether the government is 
     providing sufficient timber and over whether closure of the 
     pulp mill is a breach. The agreement would define the 
     respective litigation rights of the parties regarding 
     contract claims.
       We understand the importance of these issues to Southeast 
     Alaska. The Administration is committed to working with the 
     Governor, the Alaska Congressional delegation, and all 
     interested parties to ensure sustainable and diversified 
     opportunities for the workers, families, industries, and 
     communities of Southeast Alaska. We look forward to effective 
     joint coordination of our State and Federal resources through 
     the auspices of the State of Alaska and the U.S. Department 
     of Agriculture.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Leon Panetta,
                                                   Chief of Staff.
                                 ______
                                 
                                                  October 3, 1996.
     Mark Suwyn,
     President: Louisiana-Pacific Corp., Portland, OR.
       Dear Mark: I appreciate your coming to Washington to meet 
     with me, the Governor, and Alaska's congressional delegation 
     and for the proposal you conveyed in your September 19 
     letter. Let me preface my reply by affirming the long-
     standing policy of the Administration within which further 
     discussions must take place. We will not consider an 
     extension of Ketchikan Pulp Company's (KPC) contract until 
     the Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP) is complete; we 
     cannot accept conditions reversing any part of the Tongass 
     Timber Reform Act; and we will accept nothing less than full 
     compliance with all environmental laws.
       You have stated you are considering closing the pulp 
     facility, which we would consider a material breach of the 
     contract. We understand that you have a different view. Based 
     on our conversations, we will agree to an immediate mutual 
     cancellation of the contract and give KPC all of the timber 
     and logs released under the contract to them. This should 
     equal nearly 300 million board feet of timber. If there is no 
     mutual agreement on contract cancellation timber sales will 
     be available in southeast Alaska on a competitive basis in a 
     sufficient supply to operate the two sawmills for twenty-four 
     months and in accordance with applicable law. The parties 
     would cancel the contract based on their mutual desire to 
     avoid litigation over whether closure of the pulp mill by KPC 
     is a breach and over whether the government is providing 
     sufficient timber under the contract. The agreement would 
     define the respective litigation rights of the parties 
     regarding related contract claims.
       In view of your proposal to close the pulp facility, I 
     intend to begin immediately to determine steps the Department 
     can take, unilaterally and with the State of Alaska, to 
     mitigate the effects of the closure on the affected workers, 
     their families, ancillary industries, and the communities of 
     southeast Alaska. We understand the importance of these 
     issues to southeast Alaska. We are prepared to begin 
     discussions immediately so that we may resolve these issues, 
     while providing strong and meaningful support for the people 
     and communities of southeast Alaska.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Dan Glickman,
                                                        Secretary.
  Mr. DASCHLE. It is my understanding that the statement in the second 
paragraph of the Panetta letter to Senator Murkowski and the Glickman 
letter to Mark Suwyn, president of Louisiana-Pacific Corp.--October 3, 
1996--regarding the provision of timber to southeast Alaska for 24 
months will only apply if, due to a breach of contract, timber is no 
longer available to KPC under the contract and there is no mutual 
agreement on contract cancellation.
  Mr. LOTT. Yes, that is my understanding also.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Yes, that is my understanding also.
  Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, Congress today has given its final 
approval to legislation I have worked to enact for much of my Senate 
career. It will, for the first time in the history of our Nation, 
establish a unit of the national park system that is devoted to 
teaching about and preserving the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
  This legislation is not sweeping, In fact, it allows the Federal 
Government to acquire by donation only 180 acres of prairie. Certainly, 
this is nowhere near as vast and expansive as other units in out 
national park system. It is, however, an important milestone. For about 
50 years, Kansans have argued about the need for and size of a 
tallgrass prairie park. Debate over past legislative proposals, some 
attempting to establish a park through the use of eminent domain, tore 
apart Kansas communities. I remember when this was a topic one avoided 
in conversation for fear of angering a friend or neighbor.
  I am pleased that those days are behind us. By bringing an array of 
interests to the table and initiating face-to-face discussions, the 
Kansas congressional delegation has over the past 5 years hammered out 
a proposal to establish a national preserve that pleases nearly 
everyone. The legislation is unique for the National Park Service in 
that it provides the Federal Government with a core area that it will 
own and use to educate the American people about the tallgrass 
ecosystem and grazing that began with buffalo and is now used to raise 
some of the finest beef cattle in the world. The bill keeps more than 
10,000 acres within the preserve's boundaries in private hands, owned 
by the conservation organization the National Park Trust. It provides 
for cooperative agreements to be reached between the private property 
owner and the Federal Government to give the American public an 
opportunity to bike across and enjoy vast undeveloped stretches of 
virgin tallgrass prairie.
  When I leave the Senate in a few weeks, I plan to return to my farm 
about 20 miles from this preserve. The topography of my ranch is much 
like that of this preserve, and I often find it difficult to explain to 
my colleagues what this part of the country is like and why I love it. 
William Least Heat-Moon in his best-selling book about this area titled 
``PrairyErth'' claims the beauty of this land is contained in its 
subtlety and vast expanses--sometimes easily overlooked by outsiders 
who quickly pass.
  When the wind blows, as it almost always does in this part of the 
country, one can look out from the top of the region's gentle rolling 
hills and watch a sea of grass bending and waving across one's entire 
line of sight. Ungrazed, this grass can stretch ten feet high. For 
grazing, one can find no nutritionally richer land in the country. It 
will add more than 2 pounds a day to steers left to graze on its rich 
mixture of grasses.
  It is not difficult to let the mind wander when standing alone and 
looking out across the prairie, absorbing its shades of greens in the 
spring and summer and its browns through the fall and winter. It is not 
difficult to get a sense of what the Native Americans must have felt 
hundreds of years ago when they crossed this land hunting for the great 
buffalo herds. One can also appreciate how the pioneers must have felt 
when they crossed this same land a century ago, carrying their dreams 
and possessions in covered wagons. Walt Whitman aptly called this 
prairie ``our characteristic landscape, the center of our national 
identity.'' It is appropriate that we Americans set aside at least a 
portion of it for perpetual use and protection by the American people. 
This legislation will finally do that.
  The passage of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Act would not 
have been possible without the countless individuals who have worked 
over the years to see this idea become a reality. Former Kansas 
Congressman and current Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman has 
attempted for more than a decade to create this Federal preserve. It 
was his persistence and willingness to bring opposing conservation and 
agriculture interests together to work out their differences that built 
the foundation from which this current legislation evolved. Similar and 
steadfast support also came from Senator Bob Dole, Representative Jan 
Meyers, and former Representative Jim Slattery. Controversy over a 
tallgrass prairie park stymied many previous Congresses, and it was 
through the commitment and unique talents of each of

[[Page S12365]]

these members that we were able to make meaningful and lasting progress 
on this legislation.
  I would also like to thank Governor Bill Graves and former Governor 
Mike Hayden, both of whom publicly lent their support to this effort 
and helped shape public opinion in Kansas and beyond in favor of 
creating this preserve.
  Representative Pat Roberts, in whose district this preserve will be 
located, deserves special accolades. For the past 4 years, Pat has 
worked tirelessly to reassure skeptics that this unique approach to 
create the preserve would work. No one should underestimate how much 
his word meant to many in the agriculture community. His sponsorship of 
this bill in the House further added to the credibility necessary to 
get this bill passed by the House of Representatives.
  There are too many Kansans who have worked diligently to see this 
bill enacted to name each, but a few should be noted. Ron Klataske of 
the National Audubon Society was the first champion of creating the 
preserve on land known as the Z-Bar or Spring Hill Ranch. He and 
members of the Flint Hills National Monument Committee, led by Lee 
Fowler, Charles Rayl, Ken Harder, and Larry Bayer, were early and 
consistent supporters of this effort. Five years ago, another group of 
thoughtful Kansans came together in an effort to find common ground 
between agriculture and conservation interests and look for ways to 
privately acquire and preserve the ranch. Led first by Ross Beach and 
then by Jan Lyons, this commission helped bring thoughtful, reasoned 
deliberations to this issue, and for that I am indebted.
  When the idea of creating a tallgrass preserve faded from the front 
pages of Kansas newspapers, I could always depend on the editorial 
writers from almost every Kansas newspaper to lend their support to 
this legislation. Leading the charge was always the editorial staff of 
the Wichita Eagle, who time and time again, both in their editorial 
columns and in their sometimes biting cartoons, remind Kansans why 
creating a tallgrass prairie preserves is so important to the state.
  Efforts to embrace a public/private partnership to create this 
national tallgrass prairie preserve may have remained nothing but an 
idea if it had not been for the involvement of the National Park Trust, 
who in 1994 purchased the property that will become the preserve. They 
immediately approached the Kansas congressional delegation and said 
they were ready to work with us to make preservation efforts a success. 
Paul Pritchard, president of the National Parks and Conservation 
Association, and NPCA board members Gordon Beaham, Eugene Brown, Dolph 
Simons Jr., and Bill Watson, all played an important role in this 
effort. The same is true for Paul Duffendack, a board member for the 
National Park Trust. I extend a special thanks to Laura Loomis of the 
National Parks and Conservation Association and Peggy O'Brien Marsh of 
the National Park Trust for the time they spent assisting me and my 
staff on this legislation.
  Officials at the Department of the Interior spent hours helping my 
office fine tune this proposal Ed Cohen, deputy solicitor at the 
Department of the Interior, Denis Galvin, associate director, 
professional services at the National Park Service, Mike Tiernan, 
attorney at the National Park Service, and Linda Potter, legislative 
affairs specialist at the National Park Service, all lent their help, 
patience, and expertise to this effort. Equally helpful have been the 
support of Don Castleberry, former regional director of the National 
Park Service's Midwest Region, David Given, deputy field director of 
the Midwest Field Area, and Steve Miller, superintendent of the Fort 
Scott National Historic Site.
  In 1990, the Kansas congressional delegation directed the National 
Park Service to conduct a study on the feasibility of making this area 
a unit of the national park system. Randall Baynes, superintendent of 
the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE, was assigned to 
undertake this task. Randy did this job professionally, but he 
unfortunately felt the angry wrath of some who opposed creating a 
preserve. He handled the furor with dignity and grace. Randy died 
unexpectedly in 1993, and I want his wife, Judy, and his children, 
Melissa and Keith, to know how much I appreciate the contribution he 
made to this effort. Creation of this preserve is an appropriate legacy 
to Randy's love of the prairie and his belief that this preserve should 
be created.
  Finally, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of several 
congressional staffers including: Mike Horak of my staff, Brian 
Sweatland, Heidi Cashman, and Tom Hemmer with Representative Pat 
Roberts; Keith Yehle with Representative Jan Meyers; Mike Torrey and 
Keira Franz with Senators Bob Dole and Sheila Frahm; and Sherry Ruffing 
with former Representative Dan Glickman. I would also like to express 
my gratitude to Jim O'Toole, John Piltzecker, and Julia Gustafson of 
the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for their help in 
getting this bill through the Senate.
  Mr. President, passage of this legislation will be the last piece of 
legislation to become law during my 18-year career in the Senate. It is 
an accomplishment that I am quite proud of. Let me assure my colleagues 
that as private citizen Kassebaum, I will work to ensure that this 
preserve meets your high expectation. I have joked for some time that I 
plan to spend my retirement volunteering as a docent at this preserve, 
so I encourage my colleagues to stop by if they ever find themselves 
driving through the beautiful rolling prairie of east-central Kansas. 
Come and see one of the Nation's newest units of the national park 
system. I assure you that it will be well worth your time, and I will 
be happy to show you around.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that language agreed to by the 
Kansas delegation for inclusion in a committee report on this bill be 
printed in the Congressional Record. This language, agreed to by the 
delegation, the owner of the Spring Hill Ranch, its leasee, and 
reviewed by the National Park Service, is our attempt to give the 
National Park Service direction on future grazing policy. This 
legislation will become law without a committee report, and I want the 
Congressional Record to reflect the delegation's views.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       The conference agreement includes language to create a 
     tallgrass prairie national preserve in the Flint Hills of 
     Kansas. The preserve will be created through a unique 
     private/public partnership between the federal government and 
     a private conservation group. The partnership is the 
     culmination of decades of discussions between agriculture and 
     conservation interests who, until now, have disagreed over 
     issues such as federal ownership and cattle grazing as part 
     of a tallgrass prairie preserve in Kansas. The language 
     drafted in this legislation is the result of consensus 
     building and compromise between these various groups.
       While the conference agreement only provides for federal 
     ownership, by donation, of 180 acres of land on the preserve, 
     it is hoped that the National Park Service, through the 
     cooperative agreement language contained in this bill, will 
     be able to work with the private land owners (and its leasee) 
     of the rest of the 10,894-acre ranch to provide interpretive 
     and recreation opportunities within the boundaries of the 
     preserve, but beyond the federally owned core.
       The stated purposes of this bill remain broad to give the 
     National Park Service maximum flexibility in determining land 
     use practices within the preserve through the general 
     management planning process, with input from an advisory 
     committee created by this bill. We believe a public planning 
     process, with input from all Kansans, including local 
     citizens and adjacent landowners, will enable the National 
     Park Service to identify the best use for the 180 federally 
     owned acres and provide guidance for possible cooperative 
     agreements between the federal government and the private 
     owner and its leasee.
       The conferees note that the Kansas congressional delegation 
     is united in its belief that a strong emphasis of the 
     preserve should include the management of range lands through 
     historic and contemporary ranching practices. While the 
     conferees are unwilling to include language in the act that 
     would require any predetermined use of private property 
     mentioned within this bill, the conferees agree with the 
     Kansas congressional delegation that current cattle ranching 
     activities, consistent with the ecologically sound and 
     sustainable management of this property, should continue 
     after the preserve is created. Cattle ranching, as practiced 
     under the current grazing lease, is consistent with the 
     interpretation of the history and culture of the Flint Hills 
     region of the tallgrass prairie.

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, in the closing minutes of the 104th 
Congress, I just want to express my deep appreciation for all of those 
who worked so

[[Page S12366]]

hard to pass the parks bill. As everyone knows, that omnibus parks bill 
contains the Presidio trust legislation which I sponsored in the 
Senate, and which is so important to my State of California, to the 
city of San Francisco, and to so many people who care about the 
preservation of the Presidio of San Francisco.
  If I may, I would like to thank the majority leader at this time, and 
the minority leader. I thank my colleagues and friends relative to the 
effort that has been put in here.
  This is a major environmental bill. It has approximately 136 titles 
that affect a broad area of America's public lands, and it is very, 
very important.
  I am sorry that Senator Boxer can't be here. Senator Feinstein worked 
very hard. The merits of the Presidio speak for themselves.
  Senator Bradley has been a champion representing the interests of the 
Sterling Forest in both New Jersey and New York, Bob Bennett, of Utah, 
and Orrin Hatch, on Snowbasin.
  And I thank my staff, Gregg Renkes, Mark Rey, Gary Ellsworth, Andrew 
Lundquist, and Alex Polinksy.
  And, particularly the majority leader again for accommodating the 
extraordinary hard work, effort, and time to resolve it.
  This is a very meaningful piece of legislation.
  I want to congratulate all of you who have been a party to it.
  I want to pay tribute to Senator Johnston, my good friend who is 
departing. And I look forward next year to working with the Senator 
from Arkansas, Senator Bumpers, as we pursue our obligations on the 
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, with the presumption of 
continued chairmanship and his position in the ranking position.
  Thank you, Mr. Leader.
  Again, let me thank Senator Bradley and Senator Boxer.
  I, of course, thank the whip.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I will be very brief because Senator Lott 
and I do have some other business to tend to, and then to call the 
President at 5 o'clock.
  Mr. President, I wanted to take just a moment to congratulate Senator 
Murkowski for his efforts on the omnibus parks bill just passed. As he 
has indicated, this has been one of the most difficult and contentious 
and complicated sets of negotiations I think we have had in the whole 
104th Congress. That success we now have is only possible as a result 
of the extraordinary efforts made by a number of people.
  I want to cite, in particular, Senators Bradley and Boxer for their 
remarkable efforts over the last couple of days. They were instrumental 
in making this happen. Senator Boxer and Senator Bradley worked with 
Senator Murkowski and brought this about through cooperation and a 
tremendous amount of persistence.
  But, as Senator Murkowski has indicated, there are others as well who 
have been very much a part of this effort. Senator Bumpers and Senator 
Feinstein also have been very helpful; Senator Nickles and a number of 
Senators on both sides of the aisle have been committed to this bill.
  So this is an achievement of some magnitude affecting, as the Senator 
has indicated, perhaps 136 projects in 41 States. It is long overdue. 
This has been an effort that has been underway now for a long period of 
time.
  Let me also thank and congratulate the administration for their 
efforts over the last couple of days. As he tends to do in these 
moments of crisis, Leon Panetta, in particular, has made this work. He 
deserves special commendation, along with a number of other members of 
the administration staff.
  So we are very appreciative of the cooperation and the effort made. 
At long last we have passed a parks bill of great magnitude and great 
importance. And I appreciate the work done on all sides.
  I yield the floor.


    expanding the blackstone river valley national heritage corridor

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, it seems to me that protecting and 
preserving our Nation's special places, like the Blackstone Valley, is 
one of the Federal Government's most important functions. That is why I 
am so delighted that my bill to reauthorize and expand the Blackstone 
River Valley National Heritage Corridor was included in the omnibus 
parks bill that was agreed to today.
  There are few other areas in the country that have had as rich and 
diverse a history as the Blackstone Valley. For centuries, the 
Blackstone River has been the center of life in the valley. The Native 
Americans who first inhabited these shores enjoyed abundant fishing and 
hunting along the river. Settlers came in search of farmland and 
instead found that the river provided a powerful new source of energy. 
By the late 1700's, bustling towns appeared up and down the river. They 
were joined by sawmills, and in 1793, Slater's Mill, the river's first 
textile mill, opened, signalling the birth of the Industrial 
Revolution.
  When the Blackstone Corridor was created in 1986, it represented an 
entirely new approach for the National Park Service. The corridor is 
not at all like the typical national park, where the Federal Government 
owns and manages the land. Its boundaries span two States; it contains 
whole cities, towns, and villages; half a million people live in the 
Blackstone Corridor. It truly represents a partnership between the 
Federal Government and State and local governments and communities in 
Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts.
  Under the umbrella of the Corridor Commission, individuals from 
different communities, levels of government, and walks of life are 
working together toward a common vision--and with impressive result.

  In the early 1970's, the Blackstone River, like so many rivers and 
lakes throughout our Nation, was in deep trouble. It was apparent that 
many years of pollution had wiped out much of the river's wildlife. The 
once polluted river has been cleaned up. A beautiful greenway for 
bicyclists and hikers is underway. Historic mills have been restored. 
National Park rangers and volunteers are giving tours and educating 
visitors about the valley's rich history. The Blackstone Valley area is 
one of Rhode Island's environmental and historical jewels. With its 
restoration, this area's strong sense of price and community spirit has 
been revitalized.
  All this is being done with relatively little money from the Federal 
Government, because every Federal dollar that goes into the corridor is 
leveraged many times over.
  I introduced S. 1374, which established the corridor, on June 27, 
1985, and on November 10, 1986, the bill became law. Since then, the 
Rhode Island congressional delegation, and the Massachusetts 
delegation, have worked together each year to strengthen the corridor. 
Today, the corridor stretches 46 miles along the Blackstone River, from 
Worcester, MA to Providence, RI. The corridor encompasses 20 cities and 
towns over a 250,000-acre area. Efforts to interpret and preserve the 
valley's historical and scenic resources are coordinated by the 
Blackstone Corridor Commission and the National Park Service works 
closely with the commission, providing invaluable technical assistance 
and guidance.
  Last year, I introduced S. 601 to reauthorize the commission and 
expand the corridor with Senators Pell, Kennedy, and Kerry. This bill 
extends the life of the Blackstone Corridor Commission--which, under 
current law, would expire in November--for another 10 years. In 
addition, it adds to the corridor five new communities--three in Rhode 
Island and two in Massachusetts--which are culturally and historically 
tied to the existing corridor and contain the headwaters of the 
Blackstone River. This logical expansion will allow the commission to 
interpret and protect the region's resources in a comprehensive and 
unified fashion. Finally, my legislation increases the commission's 
annual authorization from $350,000 to $650,000, in recognition of its 
tremendous success and new responsibilities.

  The Senate Energy Committee held hearings on my bill, and it was 
reported out of the Commission on April 7, 1995. It was included in the 
omnibus parks bill and attached to the Presidio Management bill which, 
after some setbacks, was unanimously approved by the full Senate.
  Since that time, Members of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives have been engaged in a lengthy and difficult 
conference, attempting to work out the differences between the 
proposals. Many highly controversial provisions that would have led 
both to opposition in the Senate and the possibility

[[Page S12367]]

of a veto by the President have been dropped.
  I commend Senate Murkowski for his efforts to accommodate the 
interests of so many colleagues and greatly appreciate his work to 
restore my version of the Blackstone Reauthorization bill. I know the 
House fought hard to replace my bill with the House Resources Committee 
proposal which would have authorized a lesser appropriation and would 
have extended the life of the commission for 5 years only. This would 
not have give the commission enough time to complete its work.
  Mr. LOTT addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

                          ____________________