[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 87 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           LEGISLATION TO PROTECT SENSITIVE CALIFORNIA LANDS

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give notice to 
my colleagues that I am introducing three pieces of legislation to help 
protect sensitive California lands. The first bill is the California 
Coastal Rocks and Islands Wilderness Act of 1999. I am pleased to be 
able to offer this bill with bipartisan support and want to thank my 
colleagues, Messrs. Gallegly, Waxman, Campbell, Stark, Bilbray, Ms. 
Eshoo and Mrs. Capps for joining me in this effort.
  Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to recognize the ecological 
significance of the tens of thousands of small rocks, islands and 
pinnacles off the California coast, by designating them as part of the 
National Wilderness Preservation System. These small islands and rocks 
provide important resting sites for California sea lions, Steller's sea 
lions, elephant seals and harbor seals, as well as providing a narrow 
flight lane in the Pacific Flyway.
  An estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds of 13 different species use 
these rocks and islands for feeding, perching, nesting and shelter. 
Birds that use these areas include three threatened and endangered 
species: the brown pelican, the least tern and the peregrine falcon.
  The Wilderness designation afforded by this act would apply to all 
rocks, islands and pinnacles off the California coast from the Oregon 
border to the U.S. Mexico border, which are currently under the 
jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This includes 
nearly all of the federally-owned lands above the mean high tide and 
within three geographical miles off the coast.
  The designation would afford the highest protected status and 
highlight the ecological importance of all of the small rocks, islands 
and pinnacles off the California coast, which together comprise 
approximately 7,000 square acres. Adding these areas would also further 
the Wilderness Act's goal of including unique, ecologically 
representative areas to the System.
  Rocks and islands which are already patented or reserved for marine 
navigational aids, National Monuments, or state parks will not be 
affected by the legislation.
  I am pleased to be able to introduce this bill and look forward to 
its swift passage, so that these unique areas of California's ecosystem 
can be preserved and protected for generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, the second piece of legislation that I am introducing 
today is the ``Pinnacles National Monument Boundary Adjustment Act of 
1999''. This legislation transfers land that is currently under the 
jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park 
Service at the Pinnacles National Monument in California.
  This ``no cost'' land exchange will also designate the additional 
land acquired by the National Park Service as a component of the 
National Wilderness Preservation System. I would like to point out that 
this will not change the current management practices that have been 
conducted by the Bureau of Land Management.
  Finally, this legislation authorizes the Secretary to acquire 
additional lands depicted on the map through purchase, donation, or a 
combination thereof.
  Mr. Speaker, the third piece of legislation that I am introducing 
will require the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study 
regarding options for the protection and expanded visitor enjoyment of 
nationally significant natural and cultural resources at Fort Hunter 
Liggett, California.
  Under BRAC several historic buildings are now being transferred to 
the National Park Service from the United States Army. In addition, 
other cultural sites, cultural landscapes, buildings, and the natural 
resources of the entire 165,000 acre fort area merit evaluation for 
future protection and visitor enjoyment, either in concern with 
military activities or in the event of future military downsizing.
  Fort Hunter Liggett and the surrounding areas have a deep and storied 
history. Serving as hunting grounds, for more than 10,000 years, 
archaeologists have found artifacts throughout the San Antonio Valley 
and the Santa Lucia Mountains. In 1771, construction began on Mission 
San Antonio, the third mission established in California which is a 
working inholding that can still be visited.
  To quote Wendell Berry ``To cherish what remains of the Earth and to 
foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival,'' Mr. 
Speaker, I urge you and our colleagues to join me in supporting these 
three pieces of legislation that will help to protect our coasts, lands 
and history. If we lose this opportunity we will not get another chance 
once damage has occurred.

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