[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2897-H2899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AMENDING NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 37) to amend the National Trails System Act to 
update the feasibility and suitability studies of 4 national historic 
trails and provide for possible additions to such trails, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 37

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

     SECTION 1. REVISION OF FEASIBILITY AND SUITABILITY STUDIES OF 
                   EXISTING NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS.

       The National Trails System Act is amended by inserting 
     after section 5 (16 U.S.C. 1244) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 5A. REVISION OF FEASIBILITY AND SUITABILITY STUDIES OF 
                   EXISTING TRAILS FOR POSSIBLE TRAIL EXPANSION.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(A) Route.--The term `route' includes a trail segment 
     commonly known as a cutoff.
       ``(B) Shared route.--The term `shared route' means a route 
     that was a segment of more than one historic trail, including 
     a route shared with an existing national historic trail.
       ``(2) Study requirements and objectives.--The study 
     requirements and objectives specified in section 5(b) shall 
     apply to a study required by this section. The study shall 
     also assess the effect that designation of the studied route 
     as a component of an existing national scenic trail or 
     national historic trail may have on private property along 
     the proposed route.
       ``(3) Completion and submission of study.--A study listed 
     in this section shall be completed and submitted to the 
     Congress not later than three complete fiscal years from the 
     date of the enactment of this section, or from the date of 
     the enactment of the addition of the study to this section, 
     whichever is later.
       ``(4) Implementation of study results.--Upon completion of 
     a study required by this section, if the Secretary conducting 
     the study determines that a studied route is a feasible and 
     suitable addition to the existing national scenic trail or 
     national historic trail that was the subject of the study, 
     the Secretary shall designate the route as a component of 
     that national scenic trail or national historic trail. The 
     Secretary shall publish notice of the designation in the 
     Federal Register.
       ``(b) Oregon National Historic Trail.--
       ``(1) Study required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     undertake a study of the routes of the Oregon Trail listed in 
     paragraph (2) and generally depicted on the map entitled 
     `Western Emigrant Trails 1830/1870' and dated 1991/1993, and 
     of such shared routes that the Secretary considers 
     appropriate, to determine the feasibility and suitability of 
     designation of one or more of the routes as components of the 
     Oregon National Historic Trail.
       ``(2) Covered routes.--The routes to be studied under 
     paragraph (1) are the following:
       ``(A) Whitman Mission route.
       ``(B) Upper Columbia River.
       ``(C) Cowlitz River route.
       ``(D) Meek cutoff.
       ``(E) Free Emigrant Road.
       ``(F) North Alternate Oregon Trail.
       ``(G) Goodale's cutoff.
       ``(H) North Side alternate route.
       ``(I) Cutoff to Barlow Road.
       ``(J) Naches Pass Trail.
       ``(c) Pony Express National Historic Trail.--The Secretary 
     of the Interior shall undertake a study of the approximately 
     20-mile southern alternative route of the Pony Express Trail 
     from Wathena, Kansas, to Troy, Kansas, and such shared routes 
     that the Secretary considers appropriate, to determine the 
     feasibility and suitability of designation of one or more of 
     the routes as components of the Pony Express National 
     Historic Trail.
       ``(d) California National Historic Trail.--
       ``(1) Study required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     undertake a study of the Missouri Valley, central, and 
     western routes of the California Trail listed in paragraph 
     (2) and generally depicted on the map entitled `Western 
     Emigrant Trails 1830/1870' and dated 1991/1993, and of such 
     shared Missouri Valley, central, and western routes that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, to determine the feasibility 
     and suitability of designation of one or more of the routes 
     as components of the California National Historic Trail.
       ``(2) Covered routes.--The routes to be studied under 
     paragraph (1) are the following:
       ``(A) Missouri valley routes.--
       ``(i) Blue Mills-Independence Road.
       ``(ii) Westport Landing Road.
       ``(iii) Westport-Lawrence Road.
       ``(iv) Fort Leavenworth-Blue River route.
       ``(v) Road to Amazonia.
       ``(vi) Union Ferry Route.
       ``(vii) Old Wyoming-Nebraska City cutoff.
       ``(viii) Lower Plattsmouth Route.
       ``(ix) Lower Bellevue Route.
       ``(x) Woodbury cutoff.
       ``(xi) Blue Ridge cutoff.
       ``(xii) Westport Road.
       ``(xiii) Gum Springs-Fort Leavenworth route.
       ``(xiv) Atchison/Independence Creek routes.
       ``(xv) Fort Leavenworth-Kansas River route.
       ``(xvi) Nebraska City cutoff routes.
       ``(xvii) Minersville-Nebraska City Road.
       ``(xviii) Upper Plattsmouth route.
       ``(xix) Upper Bellevue route.
       ``(B) Central routes.--
       ``(i) Cherokee Trail, including splits.
       ``(ii) Weber Canyon route of Hastings cutoff.
       ``(iii) Bishop Creek cutoff.
       ``(iv) McAuley cutoff.
       ``(v) Diamond Springs cutoff.
       ``(vi) Secret Pass.
       ``(vii) Greenhorn cutoff.
       ``(viii) Central Overland Trail.
       ``(C) Western routes.--
       ``(i) Bidwell-Bartleson route.
       ``(ii) Georgetown/Dagget Pass Trail.
       ``(iii) Big Trees Road.
       ``(iv) Grizzly Flat cutoff.
       ``(v) Nevada City Road.
       ``(vi) Yreka Trail.
       ``(vii) Henness Pass route.
       ``(viii) Johnson cutoff.
       ``(ix) Luther Pass Trail.
       ``(x) Volcano Road.
       ``(xi) Sacramento-Coloma Wagon Road.
       ``(xii) Burnett cutoff.
       ``(xiii) Placer County Road to Auburn.
       ``(e) Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail.--
       ``(1) Study required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     undertake a study of the routes of the Morman Pioneer Trail 
     listed in paragraph (2) and generally depicted on the map 
     entitled `Western Emigrant Trails 1830/1870' and dated 1991/
     1993, and of such shared routes that the Secretary considers 
     appropriate, to determine the feasibility and suitability of 
     designation of

[[Page H2898]]

     one or more of the routes as components of the Mormon Pioneer 
     National Historic Trail.
       ``(2) Covered routes.--The routes to be studied under 
     paragraph (1) are the following:
       ``(A) 1846 Subsequent routes A and B (Lucas and Clarke 
     Counties, Iowa).
       ``(B) 1856-57 Handcart route (Iowa City to Council Bluffs)
       ``(C) Keokuk route (Iowa).
       ``(D) 1847 Alternative Elkhorn and Loup River Crossings in 
     Nebraska.
       ``(E) Fort Leavenworth Road; Ox Bow route and alternates in 
     Kansas and Missouri (Oregon and California Trail routes used 
     by Mormon emigrants).
       ``(F) 1850 Golden Pass Road in Utah.
       ``(f) Shared California and Oregon Trail Routes.--
       ``(1) Study required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     undertake a study of the shared routes of the California 
     Trail and Oregon Trail listed in paragraph (2) and generally 
     depicted on the map entitled `Western Emigrant Trails 1830/
     1870' and dated 1991/1993, and of such other shared routes 
     that the Secretary considers appropriate, to determine the 
     feasibility and suitability of designation of one or more of 
     the routes as shared components of the California National 
     Historic Trail and the Oregon National Historic Trail.
       ``(2) Covered routes.--The routes to be studied under 
     paragraph (1) are the following:
       ``(A) St. Joe Road.
       ``(B) Council Bluffs Road.
       ``(C) Sublette cutoff.
       ``(D) Applegate route.
       ``(E) Old Fort Kearny Road (Oxbow Trail).
       ``(F) Childs cutoff.
       ``(G) Raft River to Applegate.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Jones) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 37, introduced by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter), would amend the National Trails System Act to authorize the 
Secretary of Interior to study a number of specific routes and cutoff 
trails that may be suitable and appropriate for designation as 
components of the Oregon National Historic Trail; second, the 
California National Historic Trail; third, The Pony Express National 
Historic Trail; and, fourth, the Mormon Pioneer National Historic 
Trail.
  Since these four trails were established in the 1970s, dozens of 
additional routes and cutoffs have been identified that may qualify as 
integral parts of these trails. After determining that the additions or 
cutoff trails are suitable, the Secretary would designate the routes 
and cutoff trails as components of these four national trails.
  Mr. Speaker, no condemnation of private lands or Federal leases are 
to be contemplated for any of these routes to these trails.
  The bill is not controversial. It is supported by both the majority 
and the minority and the administration, and at the proper time I urge 
an aye vote on the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 37 would amend the National 
Trails System Act to update previously-completed studies of the Oregon, 
California, Pony Express and Mormon National Historic Trails. There 
have been public and private efforts to commemorate and interpret the 
history and resources of these historic trails. These preservation 
efforts have spawned additional research on the trails that has 
indicated there may be additional routes and cutoffs associated with 
each of these trails which merit designation as a segment of the 
existing national historic trail.
  The purpose of H.R. 37 is to examine those additional routes and 
cutoffs that were not considered in the initial studies of these trails 
to determine whether they do, in fact, merit historic trail 
designation.
  A hearing on H.R. 37 was held in April, at which time we received 
favorable testimony on this matter from the administration, as well as 
public witnesses. At the full Committee on Resources markup of H.R. 37 
in May, a technical and conforming amendment to the bill was adopted by 
voice vote.
  Mr. Speaker, we support the amended bill and favor the passage of 
H.R. 37 by the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member, of course, is in strong 
support of H.R. 37, a bill this Member introduced on January 3 of this 
year. This Member also introduced similar legislation in the 106th 
Congress.
  I would begin by commending the distinguished gentleman from Colorado 
(Mr. Hefley), the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Recreation and Public Lands; the distinguished gentlewoman from the 
Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), the ranking member of the 
subcommittee, the distinguished gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the 
chairman of the Committee on Resources; and the distinguished gentleman 
from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the ranking member of the Committee on 
Resources, for their work in bringing this legislation to the floor. I 
might say to my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones), I thank him for managing this legislation.
  The bill is necessary and should be noncontroversial. It is a 
straightforward effort to provide a one-time feasibility study updating 
the background for the four national historic trails, the Oregon, the 
California, Mormon and Pony Express trails. The measure simply 
recognizes the fact that there are additional routes and cutoffs which 
may deserve inclusion in the National Trails System.
  During the update period, the National Park Service will work with 
the appropriate trails groups and other interested parties to develop 
information on any new segment of trail in an effort to determine if it 
meets the criteria for addition to the system. No condemnation of 
private lands, as indicated by the gentleman North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones), or Federal leases is to be contemplated to add any of these 
routes to the trails.
  Although the National Park Service is supportive of efforts to 
examine additional routes, it has determined that legislation is needed 
to be provided to it, such as this authorization legislation, and that 
is the purpose of H.R. 37.
  All four trails covered in this legislation were instrumental in 
opening the American West, but each has its own unique story to tell. 
The California Trail enabled 70,000 people to follow their dream to the 
Golden State. In 1848 and 1850, the Oregon Trail made it possible for 
fur traders, settlers and others to reach the Pacific Northwest; and 
although it lasted only 18 months, the Pony Express achieved a 
cherished role in American lure. Its daring riders, which included 
Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok, were able to deliver the mail 
from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, in 10 days.
  The Mormon Pioneer Trail allowed the church members an opportunity to 
head West in search of religious freedom. These trails all follow at 
least part of the Platte River and Nebraska is proud to have as one of 
its nicknames the Historic Trail State. Many used the route through 
Nebraska to reach their goal further West. Those with more foresight 
decided to settle in Nebraska.
  This Member is pleased to note that during the 102nd Congress, he 
introduced the legislation which was enacted to designate the 
California National Historic Trail and the Pony Express National 
Historic Trail as components of the National Trails System.
  The bill being discussed today will build on that effort and enable 
even greater recognition of the contributions made by these bold and 
courageous pioneers. Those that used the trails endured hardships that 
are difficult to imagine. They survived hazards such as wild animals, 
blizzards and floods, as well as scarcity and disease.
  To those who bravely made it to their destination but those who died 
along the way, we owe a debt of gratitude. This Member believes that 
H.R. 37 will help to give the proper recognition to the many historic 
and heroic individuals who played such an important role in settling 
the American West.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member would like to take this opportunity to 
express his

[[Page H2899]]

appreciation to the many dedicated volunteers who have been so 
supportive of these national trails. Particularly, this Member would 
like to thank Bill and Jeanne Watson with the Oregon-California Trail 
Association; Pat Hearty with the Pony Express Trail Association; Ron 
Anderson with the Mormon Trail Association; and Loren Horton with the 
Iowa Mormon Trail Association.
  The efforts to preserve and provide recognition of these trails is 
truly a grass-roots labor of love involving thousands of individuals. 
By the way, they are also involved in some of the upkeep 
responsibilities as volunteers.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member urges his colleagues to support H.R. 37.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sununu). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 37, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________