[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12652-S12653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INCLUSION OF MIAMI CIRCLE IN BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 762) to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on the 
inclusion of the Miami Circle in Biscayne National Park, which had been 
reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, with an 
amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu 
thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the Tequesta Indians were one of the earliest groups to 
     establish permanent villages in southeast Florida;
       (2) the Tequestas had one of only two North American 
     civilizations that thrived and developed into a complex 
     social chiefdom without an agricultural base;
       (3) the Tequesta sites that remain preserved today are 
     rare;
       (4) the discovery of the Miami Circle, occupied by the 
     Tequesta approximately 2,000 years ago, presents a valuable 
     new opportunity to learn more about the Tequesta culture; and
       (5) Biscayne National Park also contains and protects 
     several prehistoric Tequesta sites.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to direct the 
     Secretary to conduct a special resource study to determine 
     the national significance of the Miami Circle site as well as 
     the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the 
     National Park System as part of Biscayne National Park.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Miami circle.--The term ``Miami Circle'' means the 
     property in Miami-Dade County of the State of Florida 
     consisting of the three parcels described in Exhibit A in the 
     appendix to the summons to show cause and notice of eminent 
     domain proceedings, filed February 18, 1999, in Miami-Dade 
     County v. Brickell Point, Ltd., in the circuit court of the 
     11th judicial circuit of Florida in and for Miami-Dade 
     County.

[[Page S12653]]

       (2) Park.--The term ``Park'' means Biscayne National Park 
     in the State of Florida.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National 
     Park Service.

     SEC. 3. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date 
     funds are made available, the Secretary shall conduct a 
     special resource study as described in subsection (b). In 
     conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult with the 
     appropriate American Indian tribes and other interested 
     groups and organizations.
       (b) Components.--In addition to a determination of national 
     significance, feasibility, and suitability, the special 
     resource study shall include the analysis and recommendations 
     of the Secretary with respect to--
       (1) which, if any, particular areas of or surrounding the 
     Miami Circle should be included in the Park;
       (2) whether any additional staff, facilities, or other 
     resources would be necessary to administer the Miami Circle 
     as a unit of the Park; and
       (3) any impact on the local area that would result from the 
     inclusion of Miami Circle in the Park.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 30 days after completion of the 
     study, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the 
     findings and recommendations of the study to the Committee on 
     Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Resources of the United States House of Representatives.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this Act.
         Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to direct the 
     Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study 
     to determine the national significance of the Miami Circle 
     site in the State of Florida as well as the suitability and 
     feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System as 
     part of Biscayne National Park, and for other purposes.''.

  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 762), as amended, was read the third time and passed.
  The title was amended so as to read:

       A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
     special resource study to determine the national significance 
     of the Miami Circle site in the State of Florida as well as 
     the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the 
     National Park System as part of Biscayne National Park, and 
     for other purposes.

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