[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 86 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4614-H4615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3706) to adjust the boundary of the John Muir National 
Historic Site, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3706

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``John Muir National Historic 
     Site Boundary Adjustment Act''.

     SEC. 2. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.

       (a) Boundary.--The boundary of the John Muir National 
     Historic Site is adjusted to include the lands generally 
     depicted on the map entitled ``Boundary Map, John Muir 
     National Historic Site'' numbered PWR-OL 426-80,044a and 
     dated August 2001.
       (b) Land Acquisition.--The Secretary of the Interior is 
     authorized to acquire the lands and interests in lands 
     identified as the ``Boundary Adjustment Area'' on the map 
     referred to in subsection (a) by donation, purchase with 
     donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or otherwise.
       (c) Administration.--The lands and interests in lands 
     described in subsection (b) shall be administered as part of 
     the John Muir National Historic Site established by the Act 
     of August 31, 1964 (78 Stat. 753; 16 U.S.C. 461 note).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3706.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3706, introduced by our committee colleague, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), would authorize the 
Secretary of the Interior to adjust the boundaries of the John Muir 
National Historic Site.
  A 1994 National Park Service boundary survey discovered that 
approximately 9,500 square feet of land donated to the historic site by 
the city of Martinez, California, was actually not part of the 
donation, and, in fact, had no clear title holder. Because of this 
dilemma, the Park Service has been unable to proceed with an important 
expansion of the parking area.
  H.R. 3706 would simply allow for the acquisition of the two-tenths-
of-an-acre parcel of land so that the parking facility may be built.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3706 is supported by both the majority and minority 
of the committee and by this administration. I urge adoption of this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H4615]]

  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) has adequately 
explained H.R. 3706, which was introduced by our good friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller). I would 
just note that the boundary adjustment is about as small as anyone can 
recall, covering about 9,500 square feet, or just two-tenths of an 
acre. However, this adjustment is necessary to clear up a land title 
problem and allow the construction of a needed visitor center and 
facilities for the historic site.
  The National Park Service supports this legislation, and there is 
absolutely no controversy with it. I commend our colleague, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for his work on the bill. 
I urge passage of H.R. 3706.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague and friend, the 
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), for his courtesies on this 
bill. We have no further requests for time to speak in favor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on this bill.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the 
House for considering the John Muir National Historic Site Boundary 
Adjustment Act today. My district is home to the residence of John 
Muir, his orchards, and Mt. Wanda, named for his daughter. Without John 
Muir's efforts, Yosemite National Park would not exist, and as first 
president of the Sierra Club, he helped sharpen Californians' 
appreciation for the Sierra Mountains, which he called ``The Range of 
Light.''
  In addition to its historical significance, the former Muir estate 
provides valuable open space in the rapidly growing Bay Area. In 1988, 
we enacted legislation to expand the John Muir Historic Site. Following 
a survey conducted as part of the development of the General Management 
Plan, the Park Service discovered that a .2 acre triangle adjacent to 
the newly acquired parcel did not belong to the City of Martinez. In 
fact, it did not belong to anyone.
  In order to meet the growing needs of site users, the Park Service 
would greatly benefit from a boundary adjustment to finally put to rest 
the question of property title to this small triangle of land. This 
bill will allow the Park Service to either acquire the land if an heir 
or former owner is identified, or condemn the property if an heir is 
not found. Once the title to the land is clear, the Park Service would 
be free to begin construction on a 32 vehicle parking area that would 
utilize the .2 acre parcel. This will allow greater access for schools, 
seniors groups, and everyone else interested in wilderness 
conservation, and the history of modern environmentalism.
  This boundary adjustment is supported by Contra Costa County and the 
City of Martinez. Enactment of this legislation allows the Park Service 
to enhance public understanding of John Muir's contributions, while 
also facilitating access to an important recreation area in my 
district. I thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3706.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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