[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H8422-H8424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SAINT HELENA ISLAND NATIONAL SCENIC AREA ACT

  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 468) to establish the Saint Helena Island National Scenic 
Area, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 468

       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 ``Saint Helena Island National 
     Scenic Area Act''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF SAINT HELENA ISLAND NATIONAL SCENIC 
                   AREA, MICHIGAN.

       (a) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to preserve and protect for present and future 
     generations the outstanding resources and values of Saint 
     Helena Island in Lake Michigan, Michigan, and
       (2) to provide for the conservation, protection, and 
     enhancement of primitive recreation opportunities, fish and 
     wildlife habitat, vegetation, and historical and cultural 
     resources of the island.
       (b) Establishment.--For the purposes described in 
     subsection (a), there shall be established the Saint Helena 
     Island National Scenic Area (in this Act referred to as the 
     ``scenic area'').
       (c) Effective Upon Conveyance.--Subsection (b) shall be 
     effective upon conveyance of satisfactory title to the United 
     States of the whole of Saint Helena Island, except that 
     portion conveyed to the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers 
     Association pursuant to section 1001 of the Coast Guard 
     Authorization Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-324; 110 Stat. 
     3948).

     SEC. 3. BOUNDARIES.

       (a) Saint Helena Island.--The scenic area shall comprise 
     all of Saint Helena Island, in Lake Michigan, Michigan, and 
     all associated rocks, pinnacles, islands, and islets within 
     one-eighth mile of the shore of Saint Helena Island.
       (b) Boundaries of Hiawatha National Forest Extended.--Upon 
     establishment of the scenic area, the boundaries of the 
     Hiawatha National Forest shall be extended to include all of 
     the lands within the scenic area. All such extended 
     boundaries shall be deemed boundaries in existence as of 
     January 1, 1965, for the purposes of section 8 of the Land 
     and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-9).
       (c) Payments to Local Governments.--Solely for purposes of 
     payments to local governments pursuant to section 6902 of 
     title 31, United States Code, lands acquired by the United 
     States under this Act shall be treated as entitlement lands.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT.

       (a) Administration.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture (in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall administer the scenic area in accordance 
     with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the 
     National Forest System in furtherance of the purposes of this 
     Act.
       (b) Special Management Requirements.--Within 3 years of the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to 
     develop a management plan for the scenic area as an amendment 
     to the land and resources management

[[Page H8423]]

     plan for the Hiawatha National Forest. Such an amendment 
     shall conform to the provisions of this Act. Nothing in this 
     Act shall require the Secretary to revise the land and 
     resource management plan for the Hiawatha National Forest 
     pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
     Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604). In 
     developing a plan for management of the scenic area, the 
     Secretary shall address the following special management 
     considerations:
       (1) Public access.--Alternative means for providing public 
     access from the mainland to the scenic area shall be 
     considered, including any available existing services and 
     facilities, concessionaires, special use permits, or other 
     means of making public access available for the purposes of 
     this Act.
       (2) Roads.--After the date of enactment of this Act, no new 
     permanent roads shall be constructed within the scenic area.
       (3) Vegetation management.--No timber harvest shall be 
     allowed within the scenic area, except as may be necessary in 
     the control of fire, insects, and diseases, and to provide 
     for public safety and trail access. Notwithstanding the 
     foregoing, the Secretary may engage in vegetation 
     manipulation practices for maintenance of wildlife habitat 
     and visual quality. Trees cut for these purposes may be 
     utilized, salvaged, or removed from the scenic area as 
     authorized by the Secretary.
       (4) Motorized travel.--Motorized travel shall not be 
     permitted within the scenic area, except on the waters of 
     Lake Michigan, and as necessary for administrative use in 
     furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
       (5) Fire.--Wildfires shall be suppressed in a manner 
     consistent with the purposes of this Act, using such means as 
     the Secretary deems appropriate.
       (6) Insects and disease.--Insect and disease outbreaks may 
     be controlled in the scenic area to maintain scenic quality, 
     prevent tree mortality, or to reduce hazards to visitors.
       (7) Dockage.--The Secretary shall provide through 
     concession, permit, or other means docking facilities 
     consistent with the management plan developed pursuant to 
     this section.
       (8) Safety.--The Secretary shall take reasonable actions to 
     provide for public health and safety and for the protection 
     of the scenic area in the event of fire or infestation of 
     insects or disease.
       (c) Consultation.--In preparing the management plan, the 
     Secretary shall consult with appropriate State and local 
     government officials, provide for full public participation, 
     and consider the views of all interested parties, 
     organizations, and individuals.

     SEC. 5. FISH AND GAME.

       Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the 
     jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State of Michigan 
     with respect to fish and wildlife in the scenic area.

     SEC. 6. MINERALS.

       Subject to valid existing rights, the lands within the 
     scenic area are hereby withdrawn from disposition under all 
     laws pertaining to mineral leasing, including all laws 
     pertaining to geothermal leasing. Also subject to valid 
     existing rights, the Secretary shall not allow any mineral 
     development on federally owned land within the scenic area, 
     except that common varieties of mineral materials, such as 
     stone and gravel, may be utilized only as authorized by the 
     Secretary to the extent necessary for construction and 
     maintenance of roads and facilities within the scenic area.

     SEC. 7. ACQUISITION.

       (a) Acquisition of Lands Within the Scenic Area.--The 
     Secretary shall acquire, by purchase from willing sellers, 
     gift, or exchange, lands, waters, structures, or interests 
     therein, including scenic or other easements, within the 
     boundaries of the scenic area to further the purposes of this 
     Act.
       (b) Acquisition of Other Lands.--The Secretary may acquire, 
     by purchase from willing sellers, gift, or exchange, not more 
     than 10 acres of land, including any improvements thereon, on 
     the mainland to provide access to and administrative 
     facilities for the scenic area.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Acquisition of Lands.--There are hereby authorized to 
     be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the 
     acquisition of land, interests in land, or structures within 
     the scenic area and on the mainland as provided in section 7.
       (b) Other Purposes.--In addition to the amounts authorized 
     to be appropriated under subsection (a), there are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the 
     development and implementation of the management plan under 
     section 4(b).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Kildee) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 468, the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area, 
was introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), our 
esteemed colleague. This legislation would establish the area known as 
the Saint Helena Island in the State of Michigan as a National Scenic 
Area to be included in the Hiawatha National Forest.
  The owners of Saint Helena Island have put it up for sale, and 
legislation is necessary to preserve and protect its outstanding 
resources. The Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing 
on H.R. 468, and the bill was ordered favorably reported, as amended, 
from the Committee on Resources by voice vote.
  I urge my colleagues to support passage of the Saint Helena Island 
National Scenic Area under suspension of the rules.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on February 25, 1999, I introduced H.R. 468, 
the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Act, and I am pleased that 
several of my colleagues from Michigan from both parties joined me as 
cosponsors of this effort.
  First of all, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Idaho (Mrs. 
Chenoweth) and the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for their help in 
bringing H.R. 468 to the floor of the House. I also appreciate the work 
of the ranking members of the committees.
  During committee consideration, I was pleased to work with both the 
majority and minority to make technical and clarifying amendments, and 
I believe this resulted in a good piece of legislation worthy of 
bipartisan support.
  We have a wonderful opportunity to protect a beautiful island in the 
Straits of Mackinac in Lake Michigan. Owned by willing sellers, Saint 
Helena Island is located approximately 2 miles from the northern shore 
of Lake Michigan with a beautiful view of Mackinac Bridge.
  In addition, the Island contains a historic lighthouse which is 
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The two acres on 
which the lighthouse sits were recently conveyed via quitclaim from the 
Coast Guard to the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. This 
bill would authorize purchase of the remainder of the island.
  My legislation is simple, Mr. Speaker. It authorizes the purchase of 
Saint Helena Island from the willing sellers, the Brown and Hammond 
families. The island would become part of the Hiawatha National Forest, 
which would manage the island as a National Scenic Area, and the island 
would be open to the public for recreational use.
  The island's ecosystem is home to over 300 species of plants, almost 
a quarter of which are not native to Michigan. Numerous birds and 
animals can also be found on the island.
  Saint Helena also has a rich history, Mr. Speaker, as it was once 
home to a small port that serviced ships passing through the Straits of 
Mackinac. Although no permanent residents live on the island today, 
Saint Helena acts as a classroom for school groups, scout troops, 
lighthouse enthusiasts, and other citizens attracted to its beauty and 
diverse ecosystem.
  I look forward to working with members of both houses of Congress to 
ensure passage of this legislation into law.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Kildee) for his bipartisan efforts to work for the common good and 
thank him for all of his help on our committee.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the legislation 
offered by my good friend and colleague from Flint, Michigan. As the 
Michigan Delegation's representative to the House Resources Committee, 
Dale Kildee has been done a superb job as our advocate for better parks 
and recreational opportunities, while serving as a seasoned voice for 
strong natural resources policies.
  It should be no surprise, then, that the House is today considering 
my colleague's bipartisan bill to establish the Saint Helena Island 
National Scenic Area in Lake Michigan. The need is simple: to preserve 
and protect a place along the Great Lakes' shores where all Americans 
can appreciate primitive recreation opportunities, fish and wildlife 
habitat, vegetation, and the historic and cultural resources of a small 
but unique island near the Straits of Mackinac.
  The people of Michigan value greatly the natural heritage and rugged 
beauty of our Great Lakes shoreline, particularly in this quiet, 
peaceful part of what we affectionately refer to in my District up ``Up 
North.'' The acquisition has the support of the current landowners and 
local government, and the U.S.

[[Page H8424]]

Forest Service has indicated it is prepared to manage the new Scenic 
Area once it is acquired. I have no doubt that Saint Helena is a wise 
investment by the Federal government for the preservation of a very 
special place, and the recreational enjoyment of this and future 
generations of Michiganders.
  It is my hope that H.R. 468 will move swiftly to the President's 
desk, and that sufficient Land and Water Conservation funding will be 
found in the near future to secure this national treasure between our 
two peninsulas.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 468, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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