[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4390-S4391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 2627. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide 
funding for rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier 
National Park, to authorize funds for maintenance of utilities related 
to the Park, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.


         THE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK REHABILITATION DEMONSTRATION

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill 
that will direct the Secretary of the Interior to provide funding for 
the rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National 
Park, authorize funds to address the maintenance backlog facing the 
park's sewer and drinking water infrastructure, and allow the Secretary 
to enter into a demonstration project to rehabilitate the historic 
hotels in Glacier National Park using private funds.
  This legislation is a companion to a bill recently introduced by 
Representative Rick Hill in the House of Representatives. The bill 
would provide $20 million for much-needed water and sewer 
infrastructure upgrades, which could extend the park's yearly operating 
season to six months. Extending the season is extremely important to 
ensure that revenue will be generated to rehabilitate these historic 
structures in Glacier National Park.
  Additionally, the legislation will allow the Secretary of the 
Interior to enter into an extended concessionaire agreement so that the 
concessionaire will be eligible for tax incentives that will make the 
multi-million dollar investment in these historic lodges affordable. 
The National Park Service is supportive of this effort and would 
benefit from the added flexibility to exempt competitive concessions 
contracts from the current 20-year maximum contract length. Permitting 
this exemption would allow concessionaires to qualify for historic 
preservation tax credits and dedicate funds toward Many Glacier Hotel 
and the Lake McDonald Lodge.
  The marriage of public and private investment allowed by this pilot 
project is the only workable solution that we have found that will save 
the park's historic structures in a timely manner. With a multi-billion 
dollar backlog of maintenance projects in our National Parks, it is 
highly unlikely the rehabilitation projects could be funded using 
purely public funds. Glacier Park is a place that all Montanans hold 
dear, and its historic hotels are a significant part of its rich 
heritage. After years of use, these hotels are now

[[Page S4391]]

in dire need of rehabilitation, and unfortunately the funds just aren't 
available at the federal level. This pilot project offers us a unique 
opportunity to begin the work necessary to maintain Glacier Park's 
preeminent place in our national park system and preserve it for 
generations to come. The legislation still ensures a competitive 
concessionaire program, but will also ensure that America's citizens 
are able to enjoy these century old buildings for generations to come.
  Finally, the legislation authorizes funding to rehabilitate the 
Going-to-the-Sun Road. This highway is a true feat of engineering, and 
one of the most beautiful roadways in the world. It is the centerpiece 
of Glacier National Park, and must receive this added attention as soon 
as possible to avoid risking public safety and increasing the eventual 
cost of rehabilitating the road to acceptable standards.
  I look forward to swift consideration of this legislation and the 
support of my colleagues.
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