[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5571-S5572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA (for himself and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 2129. A bill to eliminate restrictions on the acquisition of 
certain land contiguous to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


         hawaii volcanoes national Park adjustment act of 1998

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, in behalf of myself and Senator Dan 
Inouye, I am introducing legislation today that would enable the 
National Park Service to acquire a valuable parcel of land at the 
southern tip of the Island of Hawaii for inclusion in Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park (HVNP).
  My bill, which is supported by the Administration, would revise 
HVNP's enabling act to allow the Secretary of the Interior to use 
appropriated funds to acquire a certain 1,951-acre tract of privately 
held land on the southern boundaries of the park. HVNP's existing 
statutory authority precludes the acquisition of additional contiguous 
properties except by donation.
  Mr. President, the small parcel of land that the Park Service wishes 
to acquire is clearly defined by the ``Great Crack,'' a landform which 
extends to the summit of the Kilauea Caldera and is characterized by 
extensive pili grasslands. The area contains historic and prehistoric 
lava flows with related geological features, major lava tube systems of 
significant biological and cultural value, and over two miles of 
coastal environment with associated cultural sites and marine 
resources.
  Located adjacent to HVNP's designated Wilderness Area, one of the 
most remote areas of the wilderness in Hawaii, the proposed acquisition 
would be managed as undeveloped land sharing the same wilderness 
qualities of natural quiet, grand vistas, and solitude.
  Mr. President, the acquisition of this parcel will significantly 
enhance the environmental and cultural values of Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park. I hope that my colleagues will support this measure.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the full text 
of my bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

[[Page S5572]]

                                S. 2129

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Hawaii Volcanoes National 
     Park Adjustment Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2. HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK.

       The first section of the Act of June 20, 1938 (52 Stat. 
     781, chapter 530; 16 U.S.C. 391b), is amended by inserting 
     before the period at the end the following: ``, except for 
     the land depicted on the map entitled `NPS-PAC 1997HW', which 
     may be purchased with donated or appropriated 
     funds.''.

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