[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 941. A bill to revise the boundaries of the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area in the State of California, to extend the term of the 
advisory commission for the recreation area, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce 
legislation to add approximately 5,000 acres of pristine natural land 
to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Mateo County. This 
addition will protect the sweeping views of the San Mateo Coast and 
ensure the protection of rich farmland, several miles of public trails, 
and incredible array of wildlife and vegetation. I am happy to be 
joined by Senator Boxer in sponsoring this legislation.
  The property to be added is one of the most visible and important 
pieces of land on the San Mateo coast north of Half Moon Bay. The 
largest parcel to be added is a 4,262 acre stretch of land known as the 
Rancho Corral de Tierra. The Rancho Corral de Tierra is one of the 
largest undeveloped tracts remaining on the San Mateo Coast and is 
constantly under threat of development.
  The mountainous property, which surrounds the coastal towns of Moss 
Beach and Montara, was previously purchased by the Peninsula Open Space 
Trust. The Trust has agreed to transfer the land to the Federal 
Government for about half of the purchase cost. It is this type of 
public-private partnership that Congress needs to support in our 
efforts to preserve open space.
  The Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area 
Boundary Act of 2001 has the support of the entire Bay Area 
Congressional Delegation. Similar legislation is being introduced today 
in the House of Representatives by Tom Lantos with co-sponsors Anna 
Eshoo, Nancy Pelosi, George Miller, Lynn Woolsey, Ellen Tauscher, Peter 
Stark, Mike Thompson, Barbara Lee, Mike Honda, and Zoe Lofgren.
  The addition of the Rancho Corral de Tierra property will result in 
the protection of all or part of four watersheds, and several 
endangered species such as the peregrine falcon, San Bruno elfin 
butterfly, San Francisco garter snake, and the red-legged frog. 
Moreover, due to the coastal marine influence and dramatic altitude 
changes, plants grow on the property that are found nowhere else in the 
world.
  This legislation will also reauthorize the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore Advisory Commission 
for another 20 years. The Advisory Commission was established by 
Congress in 1972 to provide for the free exchange of ideas between the 
National Park Service and the public. The Commission holds open and 
accessible public meetings monthly at which the public has an 
opportunity to comment on park-related issues.
  I have always felt that protecting our nation's unique natural areas 
should be one of our highest priorities. The Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area is one of our Nation's most heavily visited urban 
national parks as it is in close proximity to millions of people. I 
invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
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