[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2357-H2358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       GOLDEN SPIKE/CROSSROADS OF THE WEST NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2932) to authorize the Golden Spike/Crossroads of the West 
National Heritage Area, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2932

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

       (a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
       (1) Golden Spike Rail Study.--The term ``Golden Spike Rail 
     Study'' means the Golden Spike Rail Feasibility Study, 
     Reconnaissance Survey, Ogden, Utah to Golden Spike National 
     Historic Site'', National Park Service, 1993.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (3) Study Area.--The term ``Study Area'' means the Golden 
     Spike/Crossroads of the West National Heritage Area Study 
     Area, the boundaries of which are described in subsection 
     (d).
       (b) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of the 
     Study Area which includes analysis and documentation 
     necessary to determine whether the Study Area--
       (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources that together represent distinctive aspects of 
     American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use, and are best managed 
     through partnerships among public and private entities;
       (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folk-life 
     that are a valuable part of the national story;
       (3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
     historic, cultural, or scenic features;
       (4) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
     opportunities;
       (5) contains resources important to the identified theme or 
     themes of the Study Area that retain a degree of integrity 
     capable of supporting interpretation;
       (6) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and local and State governments who have 
     demonstrated support for the concept of a National Heritage 
     Area; and
       (7) has a potential management entity to work in 
     partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and local and State governments to develop a 
     National Heritage Area consistent with continued local and 
     State economic activity.
       (c) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer, 
     State Historical Society, and other appropriate 
     organizations; and
       (2) use previously completed materials, including the 
     Golden Spike Rail Study.
       (d) Boundaries of Study Area.--The Study Area shall be 
     comprised of sites relating to completion of the first 
     transcontinental railroad in the State of Utah, concentrating 
     on those areas identified on the map included in the Golden 
     Spike Rail Study.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after funds are 
     first made available to carry out this section, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report on the findings and 
     conclusions of the study and recommendations based upon those 
     findings and conclusions.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

     SEC. 2. CROSSROADS OF THE WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT.

       (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
       (1) to preserve and interpret, for the educational and 
     inspirational benefit of the public, the contribution to our 
     national heritage of certain historic and cultural lands and 
     edifices of the Crossroads of the West Historic District; and
       (2) to enhance cultural and compatible economic 
     redevelopment within the District.
       (b) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
       (1) District.--The term ``District'' means the Crossroads 
     of the West Historic District established by subsection (c).
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (3) Historic infrastructure.--The term ``historic 
     infrastructure'' means the District's historic buildings and 
     any other structure that the Secretary determines to be 
     eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic 
     Places.
       (c) Crossroads of the West Historic District.--
       (1) Establishment.--There is established the Crossroads of 
     the West Historic District in the city of Ogden, Utah.
       (2) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the District shall be 
     the boundaries depicted on the map entitled ``Crossroads of 
     the West Historic District'', numbered OGGO-20,000, and dated 
     March 22, 2000. The map shall be on file and available for 
     public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
     Department of the Interior.
       (d) Development Plan.--The Secretary may make grants and 
     enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Utah, 
     local governments, and nonprofit entities under which the 
     Secretary agrees to pay not more than 50 percent of the costs 
     of--
       (1) preparation of a plan for the development of historic, 
     architectural, natural, cultural, and interpretive resources 
     within the District;
       (2) implementation of projects approved by the Secretary 
     under the development plan described in paragraph (1); and
       (3) an analysis assessing measures that could be taken to 
     encourage economic development and revitalization within the 
     District in a manner consistent with the District's historic 
     character.
       (e) Restoration, Preservation, and Interpretation of 
     Properties.--
       (1) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with the State of Utah, local 
     governments, and nonprofit entities owning property within 
     the District under which the Secretary may--
       (A) pay not more than 50 percent of the cost of restoring, 
     repairing, rehabilitating, and improving historic 
     infrastructure within the District;
       (B) provide technical assistance with respect to the 
     preservation and interpretation of properties within the 
     District; and
       (C) mark and provide interpretation of properties within 
     the District.
       (2) Non-federal contributions.--When determining the cost 
     of restoring, repairing, rehabilitating, and improving 
     historic infrastructure within the District for the purposes 
     of paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may consider any donation 
     of property, services, or goods from a non-Federal source as 
     a contribution of funds from a non-Federal source.
       (3) Provisions.--A cooperative agreement under paragraph 
     (1) shall provide that--
       (A) the Secretary shall have the right of access at 
     reasonable times to public portions of the property for 
     interpretive and other purposes;
       (B) no change or alteration may be made in the property 
     except with the agreement of the property owner, the 
     Secretary, and any Federal agency that may have regulatory 
     jurisdiction over the property; and
       (C) any construction grant made under this section shall be 
     subject to an agreement that provides--

[[Page H2358]]

       (I) that conversion, use, or disposal of the project so 
     assisted for purposes contrary to the purposes of this 
     section shall result in a right of the United States to 
     compensation from the beneficiary of the grant; and
       (II) for a schedule for such compensation based on the 
     level of Federal investment and the anticipated useful life 
     of the project.
       (4) Applications.--
       (A) In general.--A property owner that desires to enter 
     into a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) shall submit 
     to the Secretary an application describing how the project 
     proposed to be funded will further the purposes of the 
     management plan developed for the District.
       (B) Consideration.--In making such funds available under 
     this subsection, the Secretary shall give consideration to 
     projects that provide a greater leverage of Federal funds.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
     not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year and not more 
     than $5,000,000 total.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) 
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, H.R. 2932 is a bill I introduced, authorizes a study 
assessing the feasibility of establishing the Golden Spike/Crossroads 
of the West National Heritage Area. H.R. 2932 also establishes a 
Historic District in Ogden, Utah to preserve and interpret historic 
features relating to the convergence of the intercontinental railway.
  The development of our Nation's railway was an important step in our 
country's development as an economic and industrial super power. The 
completion of the intercontinental railway was a crowning achievement 
in our country's history. H.R. 2932 would help to promote a greater 
public interest and appreciation for this significant event.
  The study conducted under this bill charges the Secretary of the 
Interior to assess the worthiness of the region's historic, 
recreational, and economic resources for recognition as a National 
Heritage Area. This study is to be completed with input from the State 
Historic Agencies and submitted within 3 years.
  H.R. 2932 also establishes the Golden Spike/Crossroads of the West 
Historic District. This Historic District would be an asset of great 
worth to all the residents and visitors of northern Utah. It would 
promote the conservation and development of historical and recreational 
resources associated with the intercontinental railway.
  The historic district would be managed by the Secretary of Interior. 
The Secretary will have the responsibility of making a development plan 
and inventory of the resources existing in the historical district. The 
development plan is to be made with public participation and will 
emphasize economic revitalization that preserves the district's 
historic character.
  It is very important to note that the designation of this historic 
district will have no effect on existing land-use laws and regulations. 
Furthermore, the bill will not confer any additional powers of zoning 
or land use to the Secretary of the Interior or affect private property 
rights in any way.
  Preserving the heritage of our Nation's railroads and their 
influential role in our history is something I feel is very important. 
I believe this bill is good for Utah and good for the American people. 
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2932.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
H.R. 2932. The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) has quite accurately 
explained the legislation to the Members of the House.
  Originally, we in the minority had some concerns with this 
legislation, although we clearly were not questioning the historic 
value of the area covered by the legislation. Working with the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the subcommittee chairman, and with 
others, we think that the final version of this legislation addresses 
everyone's concern. We ask that the House support the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no other 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. 2932, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. 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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