[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1673-S1674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2279. A bill to authorize the addition of land to Sequoia National 
Park and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.


               dillonwood sequoia grove bill introduction

  Mrs. BOXER. I am pleased to introduce legislation to expand the 
boundary of Sequoia National Park to include Dillonwood Grove.
  The 1,540-acre Dillonwood Grove is the largest privately owned stand 
of giant sequoias and borders the southern boundary of Sequoia National 
Park.
  The Dillonwood and Garfield Groves together form one of the five 
largest giant sequoia groves in the world. The Garfield Grove is 
already in the Park. Management of these groves as a single unit as 
part of the National Park will reunite the 3,085-acre Dillonwood-
Garfield Grove, historically separated in name only.
  For more than one thousand years, the massive trunks of Dillonwood's 
giant sequoias have towered above the headwaters of the North Fork of 
the Tule River at the foot of Moses Mountain in California's southern 
Sierra Nevada.
  Home to mountain lions and bears, Dillonwood's canyons and steep 
mountain ridges funnel wind currents flown by some of the last 
California condors seen in the wild.
  More than a thousand years ago, Indians gathered at a high-elevation 
summer camp below Dillonwood's granite outcroppings.
  In the late 1800s, early settlers operated a mill on the site. Today 
a healthy, 120-year-old giant sequoia forest is rising among the 
ancient monarch trees. No second-growth giant sequoia forest of this 
age is currently fund anywhere in the Park.
  The Save-the-Redwoods League has negotiated an option to purchase the 
Dillonwood Grove for $10 million, based on its appraised value. This 
funding will be equally matched by federal and non-federal sources.
  I am pleased that my Republican colleague Congressman Radanovich 
introduced the identical bill in the House last week. I also want to 
thank my colleague Senator Feinstein for cosponsoring my bill.
  Dillonwood's rich natural and cultural heritage will be an important 
and significant addition to the legacy of our national parks. I urge my 
colleagues to support this important legislation.
  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. 2279

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

     SECTION 1. ADDITION TO SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK.

       (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated 
     funds, or exchange, all interest in and to the land described 
     in subsection (b) for addition to Sequoia National Park, 
     California.
       (b) Land Acquired.--The land referred to in subsection (a) 
     is the land depicted on the

[[Page S1674]]

     map entitled ``Dillonwood'', numbered 102/80,044, and dated 
     September 1999.
       (c) Addition to Park.--On acquisition of the land under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
       (1) add the land to Sequoia National Park;
       (2) modify the boundaries of Sequoia National Park to 
     include the land; and
       (3) administer the land as part of Sequoia National Park in 
     accordance with all applicable law (including regulations).
                                 ______