[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10574-H10577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1315
                   CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE ACT

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 2749) to establish the California Trail Interpretive 
Center in Elko, Nevada, to facilitate the interpretation of the history 
of development and use of trails in the settling of the western portion 
of the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 2749

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

             TITLE I--CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``California Trail 
     Interpretive Act''.

     SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the nineteenth-century westward movement in the United 
     States over the California National Historic Trail, which 
     occurred from 1840 until the completion of the 
     transcontinental railroad in 1869, was an important cultural 
     and historical event in--
       (A) the development of the western land of the United 
     States; and
       (B) the prevention of colonization of the west coast by 
     Russia and the British Empire;
       (2) the movement over the California Trail was completed by 
     over 300,000 settlers, many of whom left records or stories 
     of their journeys; and
       (3) additional recognition and interpretation of the 
     movement over the California Trail is appropriate in light 
     of--
       (A) the national scope of nineteenth-century westward 
     movement in the United States; and
       (B) the strong interest expressed by people of the United 
     States in understanding their history and heritage.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are--

[[Page H10575]]

       (1) to recognize the California Trail, including the 
     Hastings Cutoff and the trail of the ill-fated Donner-Reed 
     Party, for its national, historical, and cultural 
     significance; and
       (2) to provide the public with an interpretive facility 
     devoted to the vital role of trails in the West in the 
     development of the United States.

     SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) California trail.--The term ``California Trail'' means 
     the California National Historic Trail, established under 
     section 5(a)(18) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1244(a)(18)).
       (2) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the California Trail 
     Interpretive Center established under section 104(a).
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of 
     Land Management.
       (4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada.

     SEC. 104. CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--In furtherance of the purposes of section 
     7(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1246(c)), 
     the Secretary may establish an interpretation center to be 
     known as the ``California Trail Interpretive Center'', near 
     the city of Elko, Nevada.
       (2) Purpose.--The Center shall be established for the 
     purpose of interpreting the history of development and use of 
     the California Trail in the settling of the West.
       (b) Master Plan Study.--To carry out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall--
       (1) consider the findings of the master plan study for the 
     California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada, as 
     authorized by page 15 of Senate Report 106-99; and
       (2) initiate a plan for the development of the Center that 
     includes--
       (A) a detailed description of the design of the Center;
       (B) a description of the site on which the Center is to be 
     located;
       (C) a description of the method and estimated cost of 
     acquisition of the site on which the Center is to be located;
       (D) the estimated cost of construction of the Center;
       (E) the cost of operation and maintenance of the Center; 
     and
       (F) a description of the manner and extent to which non-
     Federal entities shall participate in the acquisition and 
     construction of the Center.
       (c) Implementation.--To carry out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary may--
       (1) acquire land and interests in land for the construction 
     of the Center by--
       (A) donation;
       (B) purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or
       (C) exchange;
       (2) provide for local review of and input concerning the 
     development and operation of the Center by the Advisory Board 
     for the National Historic California Emigrant Trails 
     Interpretive Center of the city of Elko, Nevada;
       (3) periodically prepare a budget and funding request that 
     allows a Federal agency to carry out the maintenance and 
     operation of the Center;
       (4) enter into a cooperative agreement with--
       (A) the State, to provide assistance in--
       (i) removal of snow from roads;
       (ii) rescue, firefighting, and law enforcement services; 
     and
       (iii) coordination of activities of nearby law enforcement 
     and firefighting departments or agencies; and
       (B) a Federal, State, or local agency to develop or operate 
     facilities and services to carry out this title; and
       (5) notwithstanding any other provision of law, accept 
     donations of funds, property, or services from an individual, 
     foundation, corporation, or public entity to provide a 
     service or facility that is consistent with this title, as 
     determined by the Secretary, including 1-time contributions 
     for the Center (to be payable during construction funding 
     periods for the Center after the date of enactment of this 
     Act) from--
       (A) the State, in the amount of $3,000,000;
       (B) Elko County, Nevada, in the amount of $1,000,000; and
       (C) the city of Elko, Nevada, in the amount of $2,000,000.

     SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title $12,000,000.

 TITLE II--CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS FOR EDUCATIONAL 
                                PURPOSES

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Education Land Grant 
     Act''.

     SEC. 202. CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS FOR 
                   EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

       (a) Authority To Convey.--Upon written application, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture may convey National Forest System 
     lands to a public school district for use for educational 
     purposes if the Secretary determines that--
       (1) the public school district seeking the conveyance will 
     use the conveyed land for a public or publicly funded 
     elementary or secondary school, to provide grounds or 
     facilities related to such a school, or for both purposes;
       (2) the conveyance will serve the public interest;
       (3) the land to be conveyed is not otherwise needed for the 
     purposes of the National Forest System;
       (4) the total acreage to be conveyed does not exceed the 
     amount reasonably necessary for the proposed use;
       (5) the land is to be used for an established or proposed 
     project that is described in detail in the application to the 
     Secretary, and the conveyance would serve public objectives 
     (either locally or at large) that outweigh the objectives and 
     values which would be served by maintaining such land in 
     Federal ownership;
       (6) the applicant is financially and otherwise capable of 
     implementing the proposed project;
       (7) the land to be conveyed has been identified for 
     disposal in an applicable land and resource management plan 
     under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning 
     Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.); and
       (8) an opportunity for public participation in a disposal 
     under this section has been provided, including at least one 
     public hearing or meeting, to provide for public comments.
       (b) Acreage Limitation.--A conveyance under this section 
     may not exceed 80 acres. However, this limitation shall not 
     be construed to preclude an entity from submitting a 
     subsequent application under this section for an additional 
     land conveyance if the entity can demonstrate to the 
     Secretary a need for additional land.
       (c) Costs and Mineral Rights.--(1) A conveyance under this 
     section shall be for a nominal cost. The conveyance may not 
     include the transfer of mineral or water rights.
       (2) If necessary, the exact acreage and legal description 
     of the real property conveyed under this title shall be 
     determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary and the 
     applicant. The cost of the survey shall be borne by the 
     applicant.
       (d) Review of Applications.--When the Secretary receives an 
     application under this section, the Secretary shall--
       (1) before the end of the 14-day period beginning on the 
     date of the receipt of the application, provide notice of 
     that receipt to the applicant; and
       (2) before the end of the 120-day period beginning on that 
     date--
       (A) make a final determination whether or not to convey 
     land pursuant to the application, and notify the applicant of 
     that determination; or
       (B) submit written notice to the applicant containing the 
     reasons why a final determination has not been made.
       (e) Reversionary Interest.--If, at any time after lands are 
     conveyed pursuant to this section, the entity to whom the 
     lands were conveyed attempts to transfer title to or control 
     over the lands to another or the lands are devoted to a use 
     other than the use for which the lands were conveyed, title 
     to the lands shall revert to the United States.

 TITLE III--GOLDEN SPIKE/CROSSROADS OF THE WEST NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA 
      STUDY AREA AND THE CROSSROADS OF THE WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT

     SEC. 301. 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.

[[Page H10576]]

       (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. 302. 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--
       (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.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to establish the 
     California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada, to 
     facilitate the interpretation of the history of development 
     and use of trails in the settling of the western portion of 
     the United States, and for other purposes.''.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin 
Islands (Mrs. Christensen) 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, S. 2749 would provide for the establishment of an 
interpretive center in Elko, Nevada. The center would be dedicated to 
interpreting the history of the development and use of the California 
Trail in the settling of the West.
  This bill also contains a provision that would help small Western 
communities that lack a suitable land base to afford school facilities 
because they are hemmed in by nontaxable government lands. This bill 
would enable these communities, under certain conditions, to purchase 
parcels of land for school facilities from the Forest Service at a 
nominal cost. This will allow many of the cash-strapped communities to 
build more adequate education facilities for their children.
  Another provision in this bill authorizes a study assessing the 
feasibility of establishing the Golden Spike/Crossroads of the West 
National Heritage Area. It would also establish a Historic District in 
Ogden, Utah, to preserve and interpret historic features relating to 
the convergence of the Intercontinental Railway. Preserving the 
heritage of our Nation's railroads and their influential role in our 
history is very important for the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support S. 2749, with 
an amendment.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2749 is a Senate-passed measure, introduced by 
Senator Harry Reid, that authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, 
acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to plan, 
construct, and operate a visitor center along the California National 
Historic Trail near the city of Elko, Nevada.
  The administration supports S. 2749. In addition, there is 
significant local interest and support for the interpretive center as 
well. It is our understanding that non-Federal funds totaling $6 
million have already been committed to the project.
  Mr. Speaker, the majority has also added two extraneous bills to S. 
2749. The first is language from H.R. 150 regarding making land 
available for public schools. The second is the House-passed version of 
H.R. 2932 dealing with the Golden Spike/Crossroads of the West.
  Mr. Speaker, we support this bill, and we urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), who also authored 
companion legislation to this legislation.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Hansen), my friend and colleague, the distinguished chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Parks and Public Land; and I want to thank the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the chairman of the full committee, 
as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the 
ranking member, for allowing this bill to come to the floor today.
  The 19th century westward emigration on the California National 
Historic Trail, which occurred from 1840 until the completion of the 
Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, was an important cultural and 
historical era in the settlement of the West. This influx of settlers 
contributed to the development of lands in the western

[[Page H10577]]

United States by Americans and immigrants and to the prevention of 
colonization of the West Coast by Russia and the British Empire. More 
than 300,000 settlers traveled the California Trail and many documented 
their amazing experiences in detailed journals. In Nevada, Elko County 
alone contains over 435 miles of National Historic Trails.
  Mr. Speaker, recognition and interpretation of the pioneer experience 
on the Trail is appropriate in light of Americans' strong interest in 
understanding our national and cultural heritage.
  This act authorizes the planning, construction, and operation of a 
visitor center. The cooperative parties include the State of Nevada, 
the Advisory Board for the National Historic California Emigrant Trails 
Interpretive Center, Elko County and the City of Elko, and the Bureau 
of Land Management, just to name a few.
  This interpretive center will be located near the city of Elko in the 
northeastern part of Nevada. The location is the junction of the 
California Trail and the Hastings Cutoff.
  Mr. Speaker, the ill-fated Reed-Donner party spent an additional 31 
days meandering over the so-called Hastings Cutoff route; precious time 
wasted that kept them from crossing the Sierra Nevada before the deadly 
winter of 1846 struck, taking most of their lives.
  This act will recognize the California Trail, including the Hastings 
Cutoff, for its national historical and cultural significance through 
the construction of an interpretive facility devoted to the vital role 
of pioneer trails in the West in the development of the United States. 
I would ask the House to support this bill and pass Senate bill 2749.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, 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 Senate bill, S. 2749, as amended.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________