[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 80 (Monday, June 17, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3570-H3571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SHOSHONE NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL MANAGEMENT ACT
Mr. HANSEN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3936) to designate and provide for the management of the
Shoshone National Recreation Trail, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3936
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHOSHONE NATIONAL TRAIL.
(a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the
following definitions shall apply:
(1) Appropriate secretary.--The term ``appropriate
Secretary'' means--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture when referring to land
under the jurisdiction of that Secretary; and
(B) the Secretary of the Interior when referring to any
land except that under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of
Agriculture.
(2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``James
V. Hansen Shoshone National Trail'' and dated April 5, 2002.
(3) Trail.--The term ``Trail'' means the system of trails
designated in subsection (b) as the James V. Hansen Shoshone
National Trail.
(b) Designation.--The trails that are open to motorized use
pursuant to applicable Federal and State law and are depicted
on the Map as the Shoshone National Trail are hereby
designated as the ``James V. Hansen Shoshone National
Trail''.
(c) Management.--
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act,
the appropriate Secretary shall manage the Trail consistent
with the requirements of a national recreation trail in
accordance with--
(A) the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et
seq.); and
(B) other applicable laws and regulations for trails on
Federal lands.
(2) Cooperation; agreements.--The Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall cooperate with the
State of Utah Department of Natural Resources and appropriate
county governments in managing the Trail. The appropriate
Secretary shall make every reasonable effort to enter into
cooperative agreements with the State of Utah Department of
Natural Resources and appropriate county governments
(separately, collectively, or in an any combination, as
agreed by the parties) for management of the Trail.
(3) Primary purpose.--The primary purpose of this Act is to
provide recreational trail opportunities for motorized
vehicle use on the Trail. The Trail shall be managed in a
manner that is consistent with this purpose, ensures user
safety, and minimizes user conflicts.
(4) Addition of trails.--
(A) In general.--The appropriate Secretary may add trails
to the Trail in accordance with the National Trails System
Act and this Act. The Secretary shall consider the Trail a
national recreation trail for the purpose of making such
additions.
(B) Requirement for addition of trails on non-federal
land.--If a trail to be added to the Trail is located on non-
Federal land, the appropriate Secretary may add the trail
only if the owner of the land upon which the trail is located
has--
(i) consented to the addition of the trail to the Trail;
and
(ii) entered into an agreement with the appropriate
Secretary for management of the additional trail in a manner
that is consistent with this Act.
(5) Notice of open routes.--The Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that the public
is adequately informed regarding the routes open for the
Trail, including by appropriate signage along the Trail.
(d) No Effect on Non-Federal Land and Interests in Land.--
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect
ownership, management, or other rights related to any non-
Federal land or interests in land, except as provided in an
agreement related to that land entered into by the landowner
under subsection (c)(4)(B)(ii).
(e) Acquisition of Land and Interests in Land.--The
appropriate Secretary may acquire land and interests in land
for the purposes of the Trail only from willing owners.
(f) Map on File; Updated.--The Map shall be--
(1) kept on file at the appropriate offices of the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture;
and
(2) updated by the appropriate Secretary whenever trails
are added to the Trail.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out
this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 3936, which I introduced, would designate and
provide for the management of approximately 337 miles of existing
trails, already open to OHV use in northern Utah on the Wasatch-Cache
National Forest and adjacent BLM lands.
It would also allow that, consistent with the National Trails System
Act, additional segments might be added administratively on Federal
land at a later point, and that trails on non-Federal lands might be
added once local communities have identified the most appropriate
access points and local trails. Once these additional segments are
added, it is expected that there will be approximately 500 miles of
trails in the system. In addition, the bill I bring to the floor today
also contains an amendment to insert the proper map title and to
clarify how the agencies may add additional segments under the National
Trails System Act.
In recent years Utah has seen a dramatic increase in the number of
registered off-highway vehicles. This growth has presented Federal and
State land managers with the difficult challenge of finding and
identifying appropriate places to ride for this growing group of
recreationalists. Experience has shown when an organized system of
trails has been identified, it becomes easier to direct these
recreational activities to appropriate places and to protect the areas
where OHV riding would not be appropriate.
This bill is a proactive attempt to handle this growing recreational
activity. In fact, as meetings were held with local community leaders,
it was interesting to note that the concept was supported not only by
locally elected officials, but also by some local conservationists who,
while not generally
[[Page H3571]]
supportive of OHV recreation, expressed their support because of its
ability to channel these recreational activities to appropriate places.
For years the more extreme environmental voices have claimed that
they are not opposed to OHV use if it is on designated trails. However,
I believe their true agenda is on display by the fact that while this
bill does everything they claim to want, including designating only
those trails that are already open to OHV use and directing that
funding be used for informing the public of open routes through mails
and trail signage, some of the more extreme environmental voices in the
State of Utah remain opposed. While they continue to claim that these
are the solutions that they really favor, they have never stepped
forward with any realistic leadership to wisely and responsibly provide
for how to help mitigate the increasing demand for OHV opportunities.
While extreme voices have shown they have no solutions to match their
complaints, I am proud of this bill and proud of the fact that while
some have offered mere rhetoric as their contribution to our public
lands, we are providing real leadership and proactive solutions.
I would like to state, Madam Speaker, that a lot of people are of the
opinion that I wrote this on the back of an envelope while I was
traveling on an airplane. That is far from the truth. This bill was
brought about by a group of folks in the State of Utah. The director of
the Public Lands Area of Parks, Courtland Nelson, his deputy, the
national resource people, Federal people, State people, OHV riders,
they got together and determined how this would work.
In southern Utah there is a trail called the Paiute Trail, and there
are 2,500 miles of marked areas where people can ride OHVs and have a
good experience doing it. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, because I
wanted to see how it is done, I spent 2 days on that trail; a very
interesting experience. I would urge others to do it. It is well taken
care of. The public takes good care of it. People have adopted the
trail. There is a lady close to 80 years old that gets on their Polaris
ATV and rides along with one of those sticks to pick up papers and
cans, and then she has a basket in the front of her ATV, and she puts
debris in there. Then she brings it down. If anyone makes a mess on her
trail, Barbara runs out and lectures them, and they never do it again.
It is kind of encouraging to see people take this upon themselves,
and I would expect the same thing to happen with this trail. I am
amazed how many of these OHVs there are in America. There are literally
thousands. People pay from $4,000 to $8,000 for these, and they want a
place to ride. It behooves our committee to help provide a place for
Americans to enjoy these vehicles. They are used on farms. A rancher
told me the other day that they do not use quarter horses and pickup
trucks anymore, we use OHVs. They are a lot of fun to ride, and they
open up areas for America.
Of course, we do not want to spoil the pristine areas of America, we
do not want them in wilderness areas, but we do have to create a place
for them to ride. If my home State of Utah did anything right, it did
the Paiute Trail. That is what brought all of these people together to
do the Shoshone Trail, which we are talking about today, which is in
northern Utah.
Madam Speaker, as much as I would like to take credit for being the
one who wrote this, I did not. Contrary to what has been in all of our
local papers that I wrote it on the back of an envelope when I was
bored riding an airplane, that is not the truth. It was done by people
with much more knowledge and understanding about public lands than I
have, and I compliment them.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3936, which was introduced by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), would designate a series of off-road
vehicle trails on Federal, State and private land in north central Utah
as a national trail.
The Committee on Resources held a hearing on H.R. 3936 in April.
While it was obvious from the hearing there was a measure of support
for a trail designation in this area, there were also a number of
issues and concerns that had been raised with the legislation regarding
use and access.
Madam Speaker, I want to compliment the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Hansen) and his staff for their willingness to work with the minority
to address the concerns and issues raised with the bill. The amendment
in the nature of a substitute that the Committee on Resources adopted
contains language worked out with the minority. The amendment slightly
alters the name of the trail, designates only routes that are currently
open and eligible for ORV use, minimizes user conflicts, and eliminates
conflicts with other trail laws and policies.
I would note the change in the name of the trail to the James V.
Hansen Shoshone National Trail. I am very pleased with the change in
the name. The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) is one of the finest
Members of this body. The gentleman is a Member of great civility, a
Member of great integrity, a gentleman whom I am proud to number among
my personal friends. If we had more James Hansens in this House, we
could get more done rather than sitting around shouting at each other.
I am very pleased, as I say, to have him among my personal friends.
The name change was the result of an amendment offered by the ranking
member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), who wanted to
recognize the chairman for the work he has done on this and many other
pieces of legislation.
Madam Speaker, I believe that with the changes made by the Committee
on Resources, we have a bill that everyone can support. I am pleased
that the House will proceed to pass this legislation today.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the very kind words from the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam 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 bill, H.R. 3936, 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.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
designate and provide for the management of the James V. Hansen
Shoshone National Trail, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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