[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.
____________________