[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H12006-H12008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ADJUSTING THE BOUNDARIES OF GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE TO INCLUDE 
                        CAT ISLAND, MISSISSIPPI

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2541) to adjust the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National 
Seashore to include Cat Island, Mississippi, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2541

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

     SECTION 1. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.

       (a) In General.--The first section of Public Law 91-660 (16 
     U.S.C. 459h; 84 Stat. 1967) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as 
     subparagraphs (A) through (F);
       (2) by striking ``shall comprise the following gulf coast'' 
     and inserting the following: ``shall comprise the following:
       ``(1) The gulf coast''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Only after acquisition by the Secretary from a 
     willing seller, the approximately 2000 acres of land on Cat 
     Island, Mississippi, generally depicted on the map entitled 
     `Boundary Map, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Cat Island, 
     Mississippi', numbered 635/80085, and dated November 9, 1999 
     (hereinafter referred to as the `Cat Island Map'). The Cat 
     Island Map shall be on file and available for public 
     inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service of the Department of the Interior.''.
       (b) Acquisition Authority.--Section 2 of Public Law 91-660 
     (16 U.S.C. 459h-1; 84 Stat. 1967) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by inserting 
     ``submerged lands,'' after ``lands,''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e)(1) The Secretary is authorized to acquire, from a 
     willing seller only--
       ``(A) the approximately 2,000 acres of land depicted on the 
     Cat Island Map;
       ``(B) an easement over the approximately 150-acre parcel 
     depicted as the `Boddie Family Tract' on the Cat Island Map 
     for the purpose of implementing an agreement with the owners 
     of the parcel concerning the development and use of the 
     parcel; and
       ``(C) lands and interests in lands on Cat Island outside 
     the 2,000-acre area depicted on the Cat Island Map and 
     submerged lands that lie within 1 mile seaward of Cat Island; 
     however submerged lands owned by the State of Mississippi or 
     its subdivisions may be acquired under this subsection only 
     by donation.
       ``(2) Lands and interests in lands acquired under this 
     subsection shall be administered by the Secretary, acting 
     through the Director of the National Park Service.
       ``(3) The boundary of the seashore shall be modified to 
     reflect the acquisition of such lands.''.
       (c) Regulation of Fishing.--Section 3 of Public Law 91-660 
     (16 U.S.C. 459h-2; 84 Stat. 1968) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to give the 
     Secretary authority to regulate fishing activities, including 
     shrimping, outside of the boundaries of the seashore.''.
       (d) Authorization of Management Agreements.--Section 5 of 
     Public Law 91-660 (16 U.S.C. 459h-4; 84 Stat. 1968) is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Except''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b)(1) The Secretary is authorized to enter into 
     agreements--
       ``(A) with the State of Mississippi and its political 
     subdivisions for the purposes of managing resources and 
     providing law enforcement assistance, subject to State law 
     authorization, and emergency services on or within any lands 
     on Cat Island and any waters and submerged lands within 1 
     mile seaward from Cat Island; and
       ``(B) with the owners of the approximately 150-acre parcel 
     of land depicted as the `Boddie Family Tract' on the Cat 
     Island Map concerning the development and use of such land.
       ``(2) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     authorize the Secretary to enforce Federal regulations 
     outside the land area within the designated boundary of the 
     seashore.''.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 11 of Public 
     Law 91-660 (16 U.S.C. 459h-10; 84 Stat. 1970) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``There''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page H12007]]

       ``(b) In addition to the funds authorized by subsection 
     (a), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to acquire lands and submerged lands on and 
     adjacent to Cat Island, Mississippi.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-
Barcelo) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2541, as amended. This bill, 
introduced by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), would adjust 
the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore to include an area 
of land known as Cat Island. Cat Island is approximately 2,100 acres in 
size at the western end of Gulf Islands National Seashore, which 
consists of a number of coastal barrier islands.
  Mr. Speaker, we are considering this bill with amendments that we 
have all agreed on. The amendment addresses a number of concerns that 
have been expressed by the primary owners of Cat Island, by the Park 
Service, and also by the author of the legislation, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Taylor). This amendment effectively excludes 156 acres 
of private property on Cat Island from inclusion within the boundaries 
of the national seashore. It also assures that acquisition of any 
property and any easement is by willing seller only and clarifies that 
the Secretary can acquire the submerged land within 1 mile of Cat 
Island, owned by the State of Mississippi, only by donation.
  The substitute also authorizes the Park Service to enter into 
necessary and appropriate agreements with the State of Mississippi and 
the private property owners. This bill authorizes such sums necessary 
to acquire Cat Island.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is supported by the administration and the 
minority, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2541.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, the Gulf Islands National Seashore 
stretches for 150 miles along the Gulf Coast from Mississippi to 
Florida. The seashore is more than 135,000 acres in size and includes 
portions of both the mainland and a chain of barrier islands just 
offshore.
  When the seashore was first conceived, it was hoped that Cat Island, 
the western-most island this chain, would be included. In fact, based 
on its size and diversity of unspoiled natural resources, Cat Island 
was expected to be the ``crown jewel'' of the new national seashore. 
However, the family which owned most of the island declined to be 
included at that time and the creation of the seashore went forward 
without Cat Island.
  We now have an opportunity to change that. It is our understanding 
that the family is now willing to have 2,000 acres of their land be 
included in the seashore and an agreement for the National Park Service 
to acquire the land is in the works.
  H.R. 2541, sponsored by our colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi 
(Mr. Taylor) would alter the boundary of the existing seashore to add 
these lands.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation and the eventual land purchase it 
authorizes, have been the subject of extensive negotiations involving 
the National Park Service, the family which owns the island, and the 
gentleman from Mississippi.
  During consideration of this measure by our committee, the gentleman 
from Utah (Mr. Hansen) chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks 
and Public Lands, offered an amendment attempting to address many of 
the unresolved issues, but in a way which we opposed. However, with the 
amended bill the House is considering today, these differences have 
been resolved in a manner that will allow the NPS to manage the portion 
of Cat Island they will acquire effectively while also protecting the 
rights of the remaining property owners on the island.
  The gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) deserves great credit for 
his efforts to move this important legislation forward. It is clear 
that Cat Island is a beautiful area, as several witnesses testified at 
hearings on this bill, it will be a valuable addition to the Gulf 
Islands National Seashore. We urge our colleagues to support this bill, 
as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I understand that there is a little problem with this 
piece of legislation regarding duck hunting. A lot of folks know when 
this was really put together the first time under the section of the 
bill it states that: The Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on 
island and waters within the seashore in accordance with applicable 
Federal and State laws.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I would just hope that people realize that maybe the 
superintendent is expanding his power a little bit, because we 
understand he is not doing this. It is my sincere hope that this 
hunting issue is resolved with the satisfaction of the Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Commission before this bill becomes law. It 
worries me, as chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks and 
Public Lands, when I see a superintendent expand the authority that the 
law has given him. And I am sure his heart is in the right place. And I 
am sure we can resolve this minor issue, but I hope this could be 
resolved. And I just wanted to bring that to the attention of the body.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not see why this issue could not be resolved and we 
will work with the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) to see that 
the issue is resolved.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor).
  Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2541 would address the boundaries of the Gulf 
Islands National Seashore to include Cat Island, Mississippi.
  In 1971, Congress authorized the Gulf Islands National Seashore ``. . 
. in order to preserve for public use and enjoyment certain areas 
possessing outstanding natural, historic and recreational values'' 
(Public Law 91-660). The Gulf Islands National Seashore includes a 
series of coastal islands stretching from Florida to Mississippi. Cat 
Island was not a part of the original legislation creating the Gulf 
Islands National Seashore, although it was considered the most 
desirable island from an ecological standpoint. At the time, it was not 
available for sale and it was not included.
  The primary owners of the island, the Boddie family, have now come 
forward as willing sellers to offer approximately 2,000 acres of land 
on Cat Island for inclusion in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This 
legislation would give the Department of the Interior the authority to 
acquire this property. Approximately 156 acres of land on Cat Island 
would remain in private ownership, and all the land below the mean line 
of ordinary high tide would remain under the jurisdiction of the State 
of Mississippi. These tracts of land, waters, and submerged lands would 
remain outside the boundary of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. 
Furthermore, the bill makes it absolutely clear that all activities, 
including fishing and shrimping, would remain regulated by the State of 
Mississippi.
  The amendments that are included in this motion to suspend the rules 
and pass H.R. 2541 make several changes to the bill as reported by the 
House Committee on Resources. These additional changes addressed all 
the concerns outlined in the ``Additional Views'' as filed on November 
4 of this year.
  With development booming along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the threat 
of development on Cat Island is intense and very real. I wish to thank 
all of my colleagues, especially the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), 
the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Miller), ranking member, and the gentleman from Puerto 
Rico (Mr. Romero-

[[Page H12008]]

Barcelo) for giving this bill their personal attention. It is essential 
that we expedite enactment of this legislation as these are willing 
sellers who have extended this offer for only a limited period of time.
  Cat Island is a diverse habitat for a wealth of marine life and shore 
birds and one of the best surf fishing spots on the entire Gulf Coast.
  More to the point, Mr. Speaker, Cat Island is, in my opinion, one of 
the last remaining places on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where one can 
still see the hand of God. And whether it is a beautiful osprey or a 
mother dolphin or something as strange-looking as an alligator or a 
horseshoe crab, it is all part of the hand of God and deserves to be 
protected. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for making this possible.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this 
issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2541, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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