[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 73 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6106-S6107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself and Mr. Bingaman):
  S. 1170. A bill to establish the Fort Stanton-Snowy River National 
Cave Conservation Area; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
protect the recent discovery of a natural wonder in my home State of 
New Mexico. That discovery is a passage within the Fort Stanton Cave 
that contains what can only be described as a magnificent white river 
of calcite. I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleague 
from New Mexico, Senator Bingaman.
  Many locals are familiar with the Fort Stanton Cave in Lincoln 
County, NM. Exploration of the cave network dates back to at least the 
1850s, when troops stationed in the area began visiting the caverns. 
That exploration has continued into the 21st century, and in 2001 led 
to a unique discovery of a two-mile long continuous calcite formation 
by BLM volunteers.
  We have not found a formation of this size anywhere else in New 
Mexico or perhaps even in the United States. In addition to the beauty 
of this discovery, I am particularly excited about the scientific and 
educational opportunities associated with the find. This large, 
continuous stretch of calcite may yield valuable research opportunities 
relating to hydrology, geology, and microbiology. In fact, there may be 
no limits to what we can learn from this snow white cave passage.
  It is not often that we find something like the calcite formation 
recently discovered at Ft. Stanton. I believe this find is worthy of 
study and our most thoughtful management and conservation.
  My legislation does the following: 1. creates a Fort Stanton-Snowy 
River

[[Page S6107]]

Cave Conservation Area to protect, secure and conserve the natural and 
unique features of the Snowy River Cave. 2. instructs the BLM to 
prepare a map and legal description of the Snowy River cave, and to 
develop a comprehensive, long-term management plan for the cave area. 
3. authorizes the conservation of the unique features and environs in 
the cave for scientific, educational and other public uses deemed safe 
and appropriate under the management plan. 4. authorizes the BLM to 
work hand in hand with colleges, universities, scientific institutions, 
and researchers to further our understanding of the geologic, 
hydrologic, mineralogical, and biologic significance of Snowy River. 5. 
protects the caves from mineral and mining leasing operations; and 6. 
protects existing surface uses at Fort Stanton.
  New Mexico is home to many natural wonders, and I am proud to play a 
role in the protection of this newest unique discovery in my State. I 
hope my colleagues will join with me in approving the Fort Stanton-
Snowy River National Cave Conservation Area Act. I ask unanimous 
consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1170

       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 ``Fort Stanton-Snowy River 
     National Cave Conservation Area Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Conservation area.--The term ``Conservation Area'' 
     means the Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Cave Conservation 
     Area established by section 3(a).
       (2) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the management plan developed for the Conservation Area under 
     section 4(c).
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of 
     Land Management.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF FORT STANTON-SNOWY RIVER NATIONAL 
                   CAVE CONSERVATION AREA.

       (a) In General.--There is established the Fort Stanton-
     Snowy River National Cave Conservation Area in Lincoln 
     County, New Mexico, to secure, protect, and conserve 
     subterranean natural and unique features and environs for 
     scientific, educational, and other appropriate public uses.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Conservation Area shall include--
       (1) the minimum subsurface area necessary to provide for 
     the Fort Stanton Cave, including the Snowy River passage in 
     its entirety (which may include other significant caves); and
       (2) the minimum surface acreage, as determined by the 
     Secretary, that is necessary to provide access to the cave 
     entrance.
       (c) Map and Legal Description.--
       (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a map and 
     legal description of the Conservation Area.
       (2) Effect.--The map and legal description of the 
     Conservation Area shall have the same force and effect as if 
     included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct 
     any minor errors in the map and legal description.
       (3) Public availability.--The map and legal description of 
     the Conservation Area shall be available for public 
     inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land 
     Management.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION AREA.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the 
     Conservation Area--
       (1) in accordance with the laws (including regulations) 
     applicable to public land and the management plan required by 
     this Act; and
       (2) in a manner that provides for--
       (A) the conservation and protection of the natural and 
     unique features and environs for scientific, educational, and 
     other appropriate public uses of the Conservation Area;
       (B) public access, as appropriate, while providing for the 
     protection of the cave resources and for public safety;
       (C) the continuation of other existing uses and new uses of 
     the Conservation Area that do not substantially impair the 
     purposes for which the Conservation Area is established;
       (D) the protection of new caves within the Conservation 
     Area, such as the Snowy River passage within Fort Stanton 
     Cave;
       (E) the continuation of such uses on the surface acreage as 
     exist under management action in place prior to designation 
     of the Conservation Area by this Act; and
       (F) scientific investigation and research opportunities 
     within the Conservation Area, including through partnerships 
     with colleges, universities, schools, scientific 
     institutions, researchers, and scientists to conduct research 
     and provide educational and interpretive services within the 
     Conservation Area.
       (b) Withdrawals.--Subject to valid existing rights, all 
     Federal surface and subsurface land within the Conservation 
     Area and all land and interests in the surface and subsurface 
     land that are acquired by the United States after the date of 
     enactment of this Act for inclusion in the Conservation Area, 
     are withdrawn from--
       (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under 
     the general land laws;
       (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
       (3) operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal 
     leasing laws.
       (c) Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a 
     comprehensive plan for the long-term management of the 
     Conservation Area.
       (2) Purposes.--The management plan shall--
       (A) describe the appropriate uses and management of the 
     Conservation Area;
       (B) incorporate, as appropriate, decisions contained in any 
     other management or activity plan for the land within or 
     adjacent to the Conservation Area;
       (C) take into consideration any information developed in 
     studies of the land and resources within or adjacent to the 
     Conservation Area; and
       (D) engage in a cooperative agreement with Lincoln County, 
     New Mexico, to address the historical involvement of the 
     local community in the interpretation and protection of the 
     resources of the Conservation Area.
       (d) Activities Outside Conservation Area.--
       (1) In general.--The fact that an activity or use is not 
     permitted inside the Conservation Area shall not preclude--
       (A) the conduct of the activity on land, or the use of land 
     for the activity, outside the boundary of the Conservation 
     Area, consistent with other applicable laws (including 
     regulations); or
       (B) any activity or use, including new uses, on the surface 
     land above the Conservation Area or on any land appurtenant 
     to that surface land.
       (2) Management.--The surface land described in paragraph 
     (1)(B) shall continue to be managed for multiple uses in 
     accordance with all applicable laws (including regulations).
       (e) Research and Interpretive Facilities.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may establish facilities 
     for--
       (A) the conduct of scientific research; and
       (B) the interpretation of the historical, cultural, 
     scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational 
     resources of the Conservation Area.
       (2) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with the State of New Mexico and other 
     institutions and organizations to carry out the purposes of 
     this Act.
       (f) Water Rights.--Nothing in this Act constitutes an 
     express or implied reservation of any water right.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
                                 ______