[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 64 (Monday, May 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5090-S5091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2397. A bill to adjust the boundary of the John Muir National 
Historic Site, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill with my 
colleague, Senator Feinstein, to adjust the boundary of the John Muir 
National Historic Site. This bill, which is identical to legislation 
introduced in the House by Representative George Miller, would allow 
the Park Service to obtain a small parcel of property to create a 
parking area for the John Muir National Historic Site. This would make 
access to the site much easier.

[[Page S5091]]

  Naturalist John Muir lived in Martinez, CA, from 1890 until his death 
in 1914. While living in Martinez, Muir served as the first president 
and one of the founders of the Sierra Club, played a prominent role in 
the creation of several national parks, and wrote numerous articles and 
books on the importance of conservation. In 1964, John Muir's former 
residence became part of the National Park Service. Designated as a 
National Historic Site, John Muir's estate provides valuable open space 
in the San Francisco Bay area.
  In 1988, Congress enacted legislation to expand the John Muir 
Historic Site. Included in this site expansion was a 3.3 acre parcel of 
land owned by the city of Martinez, which was donated by the city to 
the National Park Service. Following a survey conducted as part of the 
development of the General Management Plan, the Park Service discovered 
that a two-tenths acre triangle adjacent to the acquired parcel did not 
appear to have an owner.
  Enactment of this legislation would allow the Park Service to either 
acquire the land, if an heir or owner is identified, or condemn the 
property if an heir or owner is not found. When the title to the land 
is clear, the Park Service wants to construct a parking area in order 
to meet the growing needs of the site users. This 9,500 square foot 
addition to the John Muir National Historic Site would allow the 
proposed parking area to accommodate school busses and provide 12 
additional parking spaces.
  This bill authorizes a noncontroversial boundary adjustment and is 
supported by Contra Costa County and the city of Martinez. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
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