[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 23, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H7151-H7153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MOCCASIN BEND NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ESTABLISHMENT ACT
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 980) to establish the Moccasin Bend National Historic Site
in the State of Tennessee as a unit of the National Park System, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 980
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Moccasin Bend National
Historic Site Establishment Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act the following definitions
apply:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(2) Historic site.--The term ``historic site'' means the
Moccasin Bend National Historic Site.
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(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
Tennessee.
(4) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled
``Boundary Map, Moccasin Bend National Historic Site'',
numbered NAMB/80000A, and dated September 2001.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) In General.--In order to preserve, protect, and
interpret for the benefit of the public the nationally
significant archeological and historic resources located on
the peninsula known as Moccasin Bend, Tennessee, there is
established as a unit of the National Park System the
Moccasin Bend National Historic Site.
(b) Boundaries.--The historic site shall consist of
approximately 900 acres generally depicted on the Map. The
Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the appropriate offices of the National Park Service,
Department of the Interior. The Secretary may make minor
revisions in the boundaries of the historic site in
accordance with section 7(c) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 4601-9(c)).
(c) Acquisition of Land and Interests in Land.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire by donation or
purchase from willing sellers, using donated or appropriated
funds, lands and interests in lands within the exterior
boundary of the historic site.
(2) Moccasin bend mental health institute.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), the Secretary may acquire the State-owned land
and interests in land (including structures on that land)
known as the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute for
inclusion in the historic site only by donation and only
after the facility is no longer used to provide health care
services, except that the Secretary may acquire by donation
only, at any time, any such State-owned land or interests in
land that the State determines is excess to the needs of the
Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. The Secretary may work
with the State through a cost sharing arrangement for the
purpose of demolishing the structures located on that land
that the Secretary determines should be demolished.
(3) Easement outside boundary.--To allow access between
areas of the historic site that on the date of the enactment
of this Act are noncontiguous, the Secretary may acquire by
donation or purchase from willing owners, using donated or
appropriated funds, an easement connecting the areas
generally depicted on the Map as the ``Moccasin Bend
Archeological National Historic Landmark'' and the ``Rock-
Tenn'' property.
(d) Moccasin Bend Golf Course.--On the date of the
enactment of this Act, the boundary of the historic site
shall not include the approximately 157 acres of land
generally depicted on the Map as the ``Golf Course'' as such
lands shall not be within the boundary of the historic site.
In the event that those lands are no longer used as a public
golf course, the Secretary may acquire the lands for
inclusion in the historic site by donation only. Upon such
acquisition, the Secretary shall adjust the boundary of the
historic site to include the newly acquired lands.
(e) Radio Tower Property.--On the date of the enactment of
this Act, the boundary of the historic site shall not include
the approximately 13 acres of land generally depicted on the
Map as ``WDEF''. In the event that those lands are no longer
used as a location from which to transmit radio signals, the
Secretary may acquire the lands for inclusion in the historic
site by donation or purchase from willing sellers with
appropriated or donated funds. Upon such acquisition, the
Secretary shall adjust the boundary of the historic site to
include the newly acquired lands.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--The historic site shall be administered by
the Secretary in accordance with this Act and with the laws
generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
(b) Cooperative Agreement.--The Secretary may consult and
enter into cooperative agreements with culturally affiliated
federally recognized Indian tribes, governmental entities,
and interested persons to provide for the restoration,
preservation, development, interpretation, and use of the
historic site.
(c) Visitor Interpretive Center.--For purposes of
interpreting the historical themes and cultural resources of
the historic site, the Secretary may establish and administer
a visitor center in the development of the center's operation
and interpretive programs.
(d) General Management Plan.--Not later than three years
after funds are made available for this purpose, the
Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on
Resources of the House of Representatives a general
management plan for the historic site. The general management
plan shall describe the appropriate protection and
preservation of natural, cultural, and scenic resources,
visitor use, and facility development within the historic
area consistent with the purposes of this Act, while ensuring
continued access to private landowners to their property.
SEC. 5. REPEAL OF PREVIOUS ACQUISITION AUTHORITY.
The Act of August 3, 1950 (Chapter 532; 16 U.S.C. 424a-4)
is repealed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr.
Rahall) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 908, introduced by the gentleman from Tennessee
(Mr. Wamp), establishes the Moccasin Bend National Historical Site as a
unit of the National Park System. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Wamp) is to be commended for his very hard work in bringing this bill
to the floor and addressing a number of issues of concern. Because of
his efforts and the advocacy that he participated in, the bill is now
ready to move forward.
This area of land, approximately 900 acres along the Tennessee River
in Chattanooga, contains a number of historical artifacts and played a
large role during the Civil War. Moccasin Bend was studied by the
National Park Service, which recommended this area for inclusion as a
park unit because it possessed an extensive range of historic themes
and cultural resources.
Mr. Speaker, this bill was amended during committee proceedings in
order to address many of the concerns voiced by the minority and the
Park Service, especially with the future of the public golf course and
the mental health facility boundaries and adjustments.
Most of these major problems have been worked out, and the bill is
now supported by both the minority and the administration. Furthermore,
appropriations for the acquisition have already been included in this
year's budget, and authorization is required in order to proceed.
Mr. Speaker, I again congratulate the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Wamp) on his very hard work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to
support H.R. 908, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Moccasin Bend is an area near Chattanooga, Tennessee,
where archeologists have unearthed evidence of Native American
inhabitants dating back thousands of years, mingled with important
artifacts from the Civil War. In fact, this area is thought to be one
of the most important Native American sites within any American city.
Yet, Moccasin Bend enjoys no uniform protection.
The area is home to a number of uses that are inconsistent with
providing the area and its artifacts the protection they deserve. H.R.
980 will be an important step in changing this. The legislation will
designate a major portion of Moccasin Bend as a national historic park,
to be managed and preserved by the National Park Service. Once fully
established, future generations will be able to visit this new unit and
explore firsthand thousands of years of history.
It should be noted that passage of H.R. 980 does not mean that there
is no more to be done at Moccasin Bend. Several of the parcels in the
area simply cannot be included in the park at this time. However, this
legislation provides us with the tools we need to include those areas
in the near future, and we look forward to working with the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) and the local community to ensure this area
will be fully protected.
Mr. Speaker, we support H.R. 980 and urge our colleagues to do
likewise.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).
(Mr. Wamp asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I have been privileged for the last 43 years
to call Chattanooga, Tennessee my hometown. Chattanooga, the word, is a
derivative of a Creek Indian word which means ``rock coming to a
point,'' because what those Native Americans saw there above the
Tennessee River as it meanders through the foothills of Appalachia is
Lookout Mountain coming to a point. They had a Creek Indian word that
later became ``Chattanooga.''
If we stand on the northern tip of Lookout Mountain at Point Park,
which is part of the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park
where the Civil War was fought, and we overlook the City of Chattanooga
and the Tennessee River, we literally look right down on this boot,
this moccasin called Moccasin Bend.
It is a peninsula that is rich, I mean rich, with human history. As a
matter of fact, anthropologists say that there
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is not another unit in the National Park System that is as rich. They
call it a constellation of human habitation through the various time
periods dating back 10,500 years. That is the known human habitation
and human history of Moccasin Bend.
But when we looked down at Moccasin Bend when it was just raw land,
it was beautiful. It is still beautiful today, but as the gentleman
from West Virginia says, it actually has been cut up somewhat because
of buildings that have been built on it and different infrastructure
that has been placed there. However, it is time, long past time, to
preserve this particular asset through our National Park System.
Mr. Speaker, about 5 years ago, as a member of the Subcommittee on
Interior of the Committee on Appropriations, we were able to insert the
money for this study that our chairman, the gentleman from California,
referred to. The study came back and clearly determined the national
significance, the suitability, and the feasibility of adding Moccasin
Bend to the National Park System.
When we look back on the human history, believe it or not, we have
proof that hunters, human hunters, hunted mammoth and mastodon here on
Moccasin Bend; then later white-tailed deer. Then we know the history
that the Native Americans actually lived there.
As the Spanish explorers DeSoto and DeLuna came through this part of
our country on their way, DeSoto to the Mississippi River 450 years
ago, their colleagues and their contemporaries actually made a home
here on Moccasin Bend. Then the Trail of Tears crossed Moccasin Bend
not once but twice as that tragic chapter in American history took
place. The Civil War, different assets of the Civil War are there.
There were actually gun embankments there and emplacements there on
Moccasin Bend. So it is rich with human history, and it needs to be
preserved and protected.
Two main barriers existed. With regard to the Moccasin Bend Mental
Health Center, we found a way to grandfather that in, and even to free
up the State of Tennessee to go ahead and convey all the property
except where the buildings actually sit, so that the park can go ahead
and establish its boundaries.
Also, there is a municipal golf course there that the city and county
jointly own. We allowed it to be left alone, and at a later time,
whenever there is no longer a golf course there, the property can be
added. The Secretary of the Interior can just take it.
So in both cases we had to find a compromise, so we were building
consensus, and we have. Part of the bill specifically addresses an
interpretive center where we can interpret the Native American history.
If Members have been to Chattanooga lately, they know what a
wonderful place it has become. In the last 15 years, it has been
transformed into a people place. All up and down the Tennessee River
are river walks and trails. This national park addition will very much
compliment what has already been done there with public-private
partnerships and a tremendous infusion of private capital to bring
people back to the river and reclaiming our heritage.
The beautiful Tennessee Aquarium is one of the largest tourist draws
in the Southeast there. So many activities have taken place, and this
fits right into it.
The compromise ends up being about 900 acres into the National Park
System. It has been supported by our city, by our county; the State of
Tennessee is in favor of this. We have unanimous support from the
Tennessee congressional delegation, both parties. The cultural
committee of the five civilized tribes of Cherokees and Native
Americans have supported this proposal.
The group that kept this dream alive from 1950 until now, and see,
this original legislation passed in 1950 to add this to the National
Park System, but Governor Frank Clement at the time decided to build a
mental health center there. He did not sign the legislation. Now our
colleague, his son, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement) is
cosponsor of the legislation to finally add Moccasin Bend into the
National Park System. We are encouraged by that greatly. Over the last
50 years, organizations have tried to bring this back up, but in the
last 6 years or so an organization called Friends of Moccasin Bend have
done yeoman's work in making this a reality.
We commend Mickey Robbins and Jay Mills, Bob Hunter, Mike Mann, Meg
Beene, and many others: City Councilpersons Sally Robinson and John
Taylor; our new Mayor, Bob Corker; County Executive Claude Ramsey. We
have done very well to bring all these people together.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the committees very,
very much: the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr.
Rahall) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen); at the subcommittee
level, the gentleman from Colorado (Chairman Hefley), and now the
gentleman from California (Chairman Radanovich), and the ranking
member, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen),
have worked with us to try to dot our I's and cross our T's.
There has been excellent staff support: Robb Howarth and Tod Hall; on
the minority side, David Watkins has been very helpful. At the
subcommittee level of the Committee on Appropriations, both in the
Subcommittee on Interior and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development, where I serve, all of our staff members have been
extremely helpful.
This is a great day in the history of our city and our region because
Moccasin Bend needs to be a separate unit in the National Park System,
a national historic site. Today, with bipartisan support, I hope we
will pass this bill through the House of Representatives and send it to
the United States Senate, and get in line so that when President Bush
lifts the moratorium on new additions into the National Park System, we
would maybe be behind the Ronald Reagan boyhood home. So the gentleman
from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) gets his wish first, and I get my wish
second.
I thank my colleagues for working with me on this most important step
toward preserving a real American treasure, the Moccasin Bend National
Historic Site.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Wamp) for the enthusiasm and dogged determination with which he has
pursued this issue.
Obviously, judging from his remarks just now in the well and his
every appearance before our committee and before this body, Members can
really see his love for this area. I salute him for that dedication.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
{time} 1615
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 980, 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.
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