[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 72 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WALNUT CANYON STUDY ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK RENZI

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Walnut Canyon 
Study Act of 2004.
  The Walnut Canyon National Monument was originally designated by 
Presidential proclamation on November 30, 1915, to protect Sinaguan 
cliff dwellings. Since the original designation, the Walnut Canyon 
National Monument has been expanded to include 3,580 acres to protect 
additional ruins adjacent to the Monument.
  In the past few years, several groups have proposed expanding the 
Monument with surrounding Forest Service land and designating this 
expanded area as a National Park. To further explore the options of the 
Walnut Canyon National Monument and potential inclusion of this 
expanded area, I have introduced the Walnut Canyon Study Act.
  The Walnut Canyon Study Act of 2004 directs the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly conduct a study on 
the management of certain land adjacent to the Walnut Canyon National 
Monument.
  Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff have both passed 
resolutions supporting further review and study of the management 
options for the Walnut Canyon National Monument. In both resolutions, 
support for maintaining certain public uses in the Monument was 
relayed, as well as the need for the protection of the resources in the 
Monument.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides for public input into any 
recommendation that is forwarded by the Secretary of the Interior and 
the Secretary of Agriculture. Within the study, the legislation 
requires the Secretaries to look at the management objectives of the 
Forest Service and the National Park Service, as well as the 
opportunities for maintaining existing public uses, such as grazing, 
hunting and recreation. In addition, my version of this legislation 
ensures that any appropriation made available in this legislation will 
not affect the amounts made available for Forest Service or National 
Park Service activities in the State of Arizona.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Walnut Canyon Study 
Act of 2004. My intent in introducing this legislation is to help 
resolve the question of future management of the Walnut Canyon National 
Monument.

                          ____________________