[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6488-H6491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
            TIMPANOGOS INTERAGENCY LAND EXCHANGE ACT OF 2002

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1240) to provide for the acquisition of land and 
construction of an

[[Page H6489]]

interagency administrative and visitor facility at the entrance to 
America Fork Canyon, Utah, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1240

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

             TITLE I--TIMPANOGOS INTERAGENCY LAND EXCHANGE

     SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the facility that houses the administrative office of 
     the Pleasant Grove Ranger District of the Uinta National 
     Forest can no longer properly serve the purpose of the 
     facility;
       (2) a fire destroyed the Timpanogos Cave National Monument 
     Visitor Center and administrative office in 1991, and the 
     temporary structure that is used for a visitor center cannot 
     adequately serve the public; and
       (3) combining the administrative office of the Pleasant 
     Grove Ranger District with a new Timpanogos Cave National 
     Monument visitor center and administrative office in one 
     facility would--
       (A) facilitate interagency coordination;
       (B) serve the public better; and
       (C) improve cost effectiveness.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are--
       (1) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire by 
     exchange non-Federal land located in Highland, Utah as the 
     site for an interagency administrative and visitor facility;
       (2) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to construct an 
     administrative and visitor facility on the non-Federal land 
     acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture; and
       (3) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
     Secretary of the Interior to cooperate in the development, 
     construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility.

     SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Facility.--The term ``facility'' means the facility 
     constructed under section 106 to house--
       (A) the administrative office of the Pleasant Grove Ranger 
     District of the Uinta National Forest; and
       (B) the visitor center and administrative office of the 
     Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
       (2) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the 
     parcels of land and improvements to the land in the Salt Lake 
     Meridian comprising--
       (A) approximately 237 acres located in T. 5 S., R. 3 E., 
     sec. 13, lot 1, SW\1/4\, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\, NW\1/4\ and E\1/2\, 
     SW\1/4\, as depicted on the map entitled ``Long Hollow-Provo 
     Canyon Parcel'', dated March 12, 2001;
       (B) approximately 0.18 acre located in T. 7 S., R. 2 E., 
     sec. 12, NW\1/4\, as depicted on the map entitled ``Provo 
     Sign and Radio Shop'', dated March 12, 2001;
       (C) approximately 20 acres located in T. 3 S., R. 1 E., 
     sec. 33, SE\1/4\, as depicted on the map entitled ``Corner 
     Canyon Parcel'', dated March 12, 2001;
       (D) approximately 0.18 acre located in T. 29 S., R. 7 W., 
     sec. 15, S\1/2\, as depicted on the map entitled ``Beaver 
     Administrative Site'', dated March 12, 2001;
       (E) approximately 7.37 acres located in T. 7 S., R. 3 E., 
     sec. 28, NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\, NE\1/4\, as depicted on the map 
     entitled ``Springville Parcel'', dated March 12, 2001; and
       (F) approximately 0.83 acre located in T. 5 S., R. 2 E., 
     sec. 20, as depicted on the map entitled ``Pleasant Grove 
     Ranger District Parcel'', dated March 12, 2001.
       (3) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land'' means 
     the parcel of land in the Salt Lake Meridian comprising 
     approximately 37.42 acres located at approximately 4,400 
     West, 11,000 North (SR-92), Highland, Utah in T. 4 S., R. 2 
     E., sec. 31, NW\1/4\, as depicted on the map entitled ``The 
     Highland Property'', dated March 12, 2001.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.

     SEC. 103. MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.

       (a) Availability of Maps.--The maps described in paragraphs 
     (2) and (3) of section 102 shall be on file and available for 
     public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest 
     Service until the date on which the land depicted on the maps 
     is exchanged under this title.
       (b) Technical Corrections to Legal Descriptions.--The 
     Secretary may correct minor errors in the legal descriptions 
     in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 102.

     SEC. 104. EXCHANGE OF LAND FOR FACILITY SITE.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary 
     may, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may 
     prescribe, convey by quitclaim deed all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the Federal land in 
     exchange for the conveyance of the non-Federal land.
       (b) Title to Non-Federal Land.--Before the land exchange 
     takes place under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
     determine that title to the non-Federal land is acceptable 
     based on the approval standards applicable to Federal land 
     acquisitions.
       (c) Valuation of Non-Federal Land.--
       (1) Determination.--The fair market value of the land and 
     the improvements on the land exchanged under this title shall 
     be determined by an appraisal that--
       (A) is approved by the Secretary; and
       (B) conforms with the Federal appraisal standards, as 
     defined in the publication entitled ``Uniform Appraisal 
     Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions''.
       (2) Separate appraisals.--
       (A) In general.--Each parcel of Federal land described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 102(2) shall be 
     appraised separately.
       (B) Individual property values.--The property values of 
     each parcel shall not be affected by the unit rule described 
     in the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
     Acquisitions.
       (d) Cash Equalization.--Notwithstanding section 206(b) of 
     the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 
     1716(b)), the Secretary may, as the circumstances require, 
     either make or accept a cash equalization payment in excess 
     of 25 percent of the total value of the lands or interests 
     transferred out of Federal ownership.
       (e) Administration of Land Acquisition by United States.--
       (1) Boundary adjustment.--
       (A) In general.--On acceptance of title by the Secretary--
       (i) the non-Federal land conveyed to the United States 
     shall become part of the Uinta National Forest; and
       (ii) the boundaries of the national forest shall be 
     adjusted to include the land.
       (B) Allocation of land and water conservation fund 
     moneys.--For purposes of section 7 of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 4601-099), the 
     boundaries of the national forest, as adjusted under this 
     section, shall be considered to be boundaries of the national 
     forest as of January 1, 1965.
       (2) Applicable law.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     Secretary shall manage any land acquired under this section 
     in accordance with--
       (A) the Act of March 1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.) 
     (commonly known as the ``Weeks Act''); and
       (B) other laws (including regulations) that apply to 
     National Forest System land.

     SEC. 105. DISPOSITION OF FUNDS.

       (a) Deposit.--The Secretary shall deposit any cash 
     equalization funds received in the land exchange in the fund 
     established under Public Law 90-171 (16 U.S.C. 484a) 
     (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'').
       (b) Use of Funds.--Funds deposited under subsection (a) 
     shall be available to the Secretary, without further 
     appropriation, for the acquisition of land and interests in 
     land for administrative sites in the State of Utah and land 
     for the National Forest System.

     SEC. 106. CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF FACILITY.

       (a) Construction.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), as soon as 
     practicable after funds are made available to carry out this 
     title, the Secretary of the Interior shall construct, and 
     bear responsibility for all costs of construction of, a 
     facility and all necessary infrastructure on non-Federal land 
     acquired under section 104.
       (2) Design and specifications.--Prior to construction, the 
     design and specifications of the facility shall be approved 
     by the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior.
       (b) Operation and Maintenance of Facility.--The facility 
     shall be occupied, operated, and maintained jointly by the 
     Secretary (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service) 
     and the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the 
     Director of the National Park Service) under terms and 
     conditions agreed to by the Secretary and the Secretary of 
     the Interior.

     SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this title.

           TITLE II--UTAH PUBLIC LANDS ARTIFACT PRESERVATION

     SEC. 201. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the collection of the Utah Museum of Natural History in 
     Salt Lake City, Utah, includes more than 1,000,000 
     archaeological, paleontological, zoological, geological, and 
     botanical artifacts;
       (2) the collection of items housed by the Museum contains 
     artifacts from land managed by--
       (A) the Bureau of Land Management;
       (B) the Bureau of Reclamation;
       (C) the National Park Service;
       (D) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
       (E) the Forest Service;
       (3) more than 75 percent of the Museum's collection was 
     recovered from federally managed public land; and
       (4) the Museum has been designated by the legislature of 
     the State of Utah as the State museum of natural history.

     SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Museum.--The term ``Museum'' means the University of 
     Utah Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City, Utah.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 203. ASSISTANCE FOR UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL 
                   HISTORY.

       (a) Assistance for Museum.--The Secretary shall make a 
     grant to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, to 
     pay the Federal share of the costs of construction of a new 
     facility for the Museum, including the design, planning, 
     furnishing, and equipping of the Museum.
       (b) Grant Requirements.--

[[Page H6490]]

       (1) In general.--To receive a grant under subsection (b), 
     the Museum shall submit to the Secretary a proposal for the 
     use of the grant.
       (2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs 
     described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 percent.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.

   TITLE III--SALT RIVER BAY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK AND ECOLOGICAL 
                      PRESERVE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT

     SEC. 301. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.

       The first sentence of section 103(b) of the Salt River Bay 
     National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at St. 
     Croix, Virgin Islands, Act of 1992 (16 U.S.C. 410tt-1(b)) is 
     amended to read as follows: ``The park shall consist of 
     approximately 1015 acres of lands, waters, and interests in 
     lands as generally depicted on the map entitled `Salt River 
     Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, St. 
     Croix, U.S.V.I.', numbered 141/80002, and dated May 2, 
     2002.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jeff Miller of Florida). Pursuant to the 
rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from West 
Virginia (Mr. Rahall) 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. 1240 would authorize the exchange of 266 acres of 
National Forest System land within the Uinta and Wasatch-Cache National 
Forests in Utah for 37 acres of private land at the mouth of American 
Fork Canyon. The bill would also require the Secretary of Interior to 
construct a joint visitor center for the Mount Timpanogos National 
Monument, administered by the National Park Service, and the Uinta 
National Forest, administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
  The visitor center would replace the center that was burned down in 
1991. Since that time, the park has been in the position of attempting 
to house its visitors and administrative offices in a double-wide 
trailer. On days of high visitation, the trailer is easily overwhelmed.
  This bill also contains the text of H.R. 3928, passed previously by 
the House under suspension of the rules. This legislation would direct 
the Secretary of Interior to assist the University of Utah by making a 
grant to the University of Utah Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake 
City, Utah, to help pay for the Federal share of the costs of 
construction of a new natural history museum. The Federal share, 
however, would not exceed 25 percent of the total cost. It is important 
to note that more than 75 percent of the museum's vast collection comes 
from Federal lands in Utah and the surrounding States in the 
Intermountain West. The poor condition of the current building poses 
serious threats to the preservation of these artifacts and must be 
replaced.
  Finally, the bill contains the text of H.R. 5097, which would adjust 
the boundaries of the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and 
Ecological Preserve located in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to include 
the site of a two-story, 4,800 square foot house at the site that can 
easily be converted to a visitor station, museum and operation center 
and 15.4 acres of land that has been offered as a donation to the park. 
This park includes the only known place in present-day U.S. territory 
where members of Christopher Columbus' expedition landed. This is a 
good bill. I urge Members to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 1240 is a package consisting of three free-standing 
bills which have already been explained.
  For my part, I would simply note that our colleague, the gentleman 
from Utah (Mr. Matheson), was the original sponsor of the legislation 
to provide assistance to the University of Utah, and we appreciate very 
much the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) moving this measure forward.
  I would like to highlight the fact that the text of H.R. 5097, a bill 
introduced by the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) is include in this measure. This important legislation 
would expand the boundaries of the Salt River Bay National Historical 
Park and Ecological Preserve, located on the island of St. Croix in the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
  The people of the U.S. Virgin Islands have a strong and effective 
advocate in the gentlewoman. It has been my pleasure to work with the 
gentlewoman on many issues where she has taken a leadership role in 
advancing the well-being of her constituents and the American public.
  In particular, I want to commend the gentlewoman for the 
distinguished work she has done as the ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands. In that 
role the gentlewoman has assumed that responsibility not just in this 
Congress but in many others as well and has taken hold of that 
responsibility and helped shepherd numerous pieces of legislation that 
affect the very fabric of this great Nation. Her leadership has made 
possible the preservation and careful use of many of the natural and 
historical resources that we are blessed with across this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) as well, 
and salute him for his leadership on a number of important issues we 
will be addressing today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen).
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1240 as well, 
and urge Members to support its passage. This bill includes my bill, 
H.R. 5097, to expand the boundaries of the Salt River National 
Historical Park and Ecological Preserve located on St. Croix, Virgin 
Islands.
  I would like to express my gratitude to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Hansen), to the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. 
Rahall), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) for their 
support of my bill, which will make it possible for the National Park 
Service to establish an official presence at Salt River for the first 
time since the park was established more than 10 years ago.
  Salt River Bay is located approximately 3.5 miles west of 
Christiansted on the north central coast of St. Croix. It became a part 
of the National Park System when President Bush signed H.R. 2927 into 
law on February 24, 1992. Salt River and its surrounding land areas 
comprise an important ecosystem continuum, the only one of its kind in 
the Virgin Islands and one of the few left in the West Indies. This 
unique chain of habitats functions as an intact ecosystem from the dry 
tropical forested hillsides down to the wetlands, streams, marshes, 
mangroves, salt ponds, and sea grass beds to the magnificent coral 
reefs and superb submarine canyon containing deep water sponges and 
corals.
  Salt River Bay and its surrounding areas support the highest 
diversity of bird life known in the Virgin Islands. Twenty-four out of 
110 bird species recorded within Salt River system are locally or 
federally listed as threatened or endangered species. In addition, 
seven species of endangered vertebrates occur here: The leatherback; 
green and hawksbill sea turtles; the brown pelican; the least and 
roseate tern and the peregrine falcon.
  In addition to these incredible natural resources, the historical and 
archeological significance of Salt River is also remarkable. Salt River 
Bay is the first, and best-documented, site where Christopher Columbus 
made landfall on his second voyage to the New World in 1493.
  From other archeological findings on St. Croix, experts believe Salt 
River was likely home to pre-ceramic peoples living more than 3,000 
years ago. The site contains evidence of the only ceremonial ball court 
of the Carib Indian culture ever to be discovered in the Lesser 
Antilles.
  In order to provide better service and a more rewarding experience 
for park visitors, it is important for the Park Service to have a place 
where visitors can come to learn about the park and receive assistance 
from the Park Service personnel. There is currently no such facility at 
the park. The Park Service recently identified a house at the site that 
can be easily converted to

[[Page H6491]]

a visitor station, museum and operation center that will house 
enforcement and maintenance personnel, and many other functions.
  Because this facility is presently outside of the current park 
boundaries, H.R. 5097 was introduced to expand the boundaries of the 
park to include the site of the new facility, as well as include 15.4 
acres of land that has been offered as a donation to the park.
  In conclusion, I thank my colleagues on the Committee on Resources 
and thank majority subcommittee staff Tod Hull and Rob Howarth, as well 
as Rich Healy and David Watkins on the minority staff for their 
assistance on H.R. 5097.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Timpanogos 
Interagency Land Exchange Act of 2001. This legislation authorizes a 
land exchange between the United States Forest Service and a private 
citizen in my district and provides for the construction of an 
interagency administrative and visitor facility at the entrance of 
American Fork Canyon. I want to thank my colleague and fellow Utahan, 
Senator Robert Bennett, for introducing this bill in the Senate and for 
his hard work in helping this bill become law.
  The Timpanogos Interagency Land Exchange Act of 2001 authorizes the 
exchange of 266 acres of United States Forest Service land for 37 acres 
of private land. This exchange is being done with a willing private 
landowner. The values for the exchange will be equal. The exchange 
requires the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture and must conform 
to the ``Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions.''
  The newly acquired Forest Service land will serve as the site for a 
new visitor center and administrative office of the Pleasant Grove 
Ranger District of the Uinta National Forest and the Timpanogos Cave 
National Monument. This new facility will greatly benefit the visiting 
public and result in better coordination between the NPS and the USFS.
  The original visitor center at Timpanogos Cave burned down in 1991. 
Since then, a 20 by 60 foot double-wide trailer has served as the make-
shift visitor center. This trailer is far from adequate for the 
monument's annual visitation of 120,000 people. It is simply too small 
and outdated. Additionally, the center suffers from occasional rock-
falls that cause significant damage to the roof of the trailer and 
raises obvious public safety concerns.
  The new facility will meet the space needs of the ranger district and 
be more technology friendly and will also be in a safer location. 
Furthermore, the public now will be able to visit one conveniently 
located office to inquire about NPS and USFS activities.
  The Timpanogos Interagency Land Exchange Act of 2001 is long overdue. 
Its passage today will help correct a decade old problem and will help 
both the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service 
serve the public better.
  Mr. RAHALL. 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 Senate bill, S. 1240, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill, as amended, was 
passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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