[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2576-S2578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN:
  S. 589. A bill to require the National Park Service to undertake a 
study of the Loess Hills area in western Iowa to review options for the 
protection and interpretation of the area's natural, cultural, and 
historical resources; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                  loess hills preservation act of 1999

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today, I am introducing legislation 
calling

[[Page S2578]]

upon the National Park Service to conduct a study of the Loess Hills in 
western Iowa. This study would be the first official step towards 
possible national protection for the Loess Hills.
  Specifically, this legislation would require the National Park 
Service to monitor the area between Waubansie State Park and Stone Park 
to study the possibility of a portion of this area to receive National 
Park status.
  Loess Hills is a unique national treasure that was formed by ancient 
glaciers and hundreds of centuries of westerly winds. Only the loess 
soil in China has accumulated as high as Iowa's. Although these hills 
have survived for hundreds of centuries, today they are beginning to 
crumble. Urban sprawl is unfortunately beginning to take its toll on 
Loess Hills. Protecting this area must be given a high priority.
  In 1986, the Loess Hills area was designated as a National Natural 
Landmark by the National Park Service. This gives recognition to this 
area as an area of national significance. Although this designation 
encourages landowners to use conservation practices in use of the area, 
this designation does nothing to control land ownership or to restrict 
land use.
  The only thing holding the loess in place is the roots of the 
vegetation. Today, however, as the human exploitation of the hills 
continues to increase the destruction of the vegetation, loess is left 
once again blowing in the winds as the fragile hills begins to flatten.
  This is of great concern to me. This area which marks one of the only 
remaining natural ecosystems in the state is one of the few areas where 
Iowans can experience nature. Iowa presently ranks 49th among the 50 
states in National Park and Forest space. Iowa is also 400 miles away 
from a sizable national recreation area (the Boundary Waters Canoe 
Area). The Loess Hills, however, is an area of national significance 
and has the potential to be a much needed National Park for the Plains 
States.
  Mr. President, since 1992, I have secured funding through the United 
States Department of Agriculture to design better bridges and other 
structures in the Loess Hills area to reduce soil erosion. But more 
needs to be done.
  One thing I would like to make clear--this study can only be 
successfully implemented with the participation of local governments in 
western Iowa and private property owners.
  The Loess Hills are an Iowa treasure. This legislation would begin 
the process of making Loess Hills a national treasure.
  I invite my colleagues to join me as co-sponsors of this much needed 
legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 589

       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 ``Loess Hills Preservation Act 
     of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that--
       (1) The Loess Hills area in western Iowa, formed by ancient 
     glaciers and hundreds of centuries of westerly winds blowing 
     across the Missouri River, has resulted in the largest loess 
     formation in the United States, and one of the two largest in 
     the world;
       (2) portions of the Loess Hills remain undeveloped and 
     provide an important opportunity to protect an historic and 
     unique natural resource;
       (3) a program to study the Loess Hills can only be 
     successfully implemented with the cooperation and 
     participation of affected local governments and landowners;
       (4) in 1986, the Loess Hills area was designated as a 
     National Natural Landmark in recognition of the area's 
     nationally significant natural resources;
       (5) although significant natural resources remain in the 
     area, increasing development in the area has threatened the 
     future stability and integrity of the Loess Hills area; and
       (6) the Loess Hills area merits further study by the 
     National Park Service, in cooperation with the State of Iowa, 
     local governments, and affected landowners, to determine 
     appropriate means to better protect, preserve, and interpret 
     the significant resources in the area;

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act--
       (1) the term ``Loess Hills'' means the area in the State of 
     Iowa located between Waubansie State Park and Stone Park, and 
     which includes Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, 
     Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fremont counties.
       (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       (3) the term ``State'' means the State of Iowa.

     SEC. 4. LOESS HILLS STUDY.

       (a) The Secretary shall undertake a study of the Loess 
     Hills area to review options for the protection and 
     interpretation of the area's natural, cultural, and 
     historical resources. The study shall include, but need not 
     be limited to an analysis of the suitability and feasibility 
     of designating the area as--
       (1) a unit of the National Park System;
       (2) a National Heritage Area or Heritage Corridor; or
       (3) such other designation as may be appropriate.
       (b) The study shall examine the appropriateness and 
     feasibility of cooperative protection and interpretive 
     efforts between the United States, the State, and its 
     political subdivisions.
       (c) The Secretary shall consult in the preparation of the 
     study with State and local governmental entities, affected 
     landowners, and other interested public and private 
     organizations and individuals.
       (d) The study shall be completed within one year after the 
     date funds are made available. Upon its completion, the 
     Secretary shall transmit a report of the study, along with 
     any recommendations, to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on 
     Resources of the United States House of Representatives.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
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