[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4538-S4539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ICE AGE FLOODS NATIONAL GEOLOGIC TRAIL

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today, I join my colleagues Senators 
Cantwell, Craig, Murray, and Smith, in support of S. 206, the Ice Age 
Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act of 2005.
  Thousands of years ago, Glacial Lake Missoula broke through its ice 
dam, releasing cataclysmic floods that forever changed the terrain of 
Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. This natural phenomenon is 
responsible for the unique beauty of western Montana. However, few 
people know the history behind our rugged landscape.
  The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act of 2005 
designates a trail, primarily public roads and highways, from Missoula, 
Montana

[[Page S4539]]

to the Pacific Ocean, following the path of the great floods. Through 
this legislation, the National Park Service is responsible for 
coordinating public and private sector entities to present the story of 
the ice age floods to the public.
  Many folks in my great State of Montana, including members of the 
Glacial Lake Missoula Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute, look 
forward to working with the National Park Service in a joint effort to 
educate the public. Additionally, designation of the Ice Age Floods 
Trail provides a tremendous opportunity for tourism and economic 
development in Montana.
  I am also pleased S. 206 takes into consideration the concerns of 
local citizens and private property owners by limiting Federal land 
acquisition to 25 acres. These acres will be used only for 
administrative and public information purposes. As always, it is 
important to me that private property rights are respected and private 
property owners do not feel threatened by Federal land acquisitions.
  I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to pass this 
important piece of legislation for not only Montana but the entire 
Pacific Northwest.

                          ____________________