[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 96 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH:
  S. 1414. A bill to provide for the conduct of a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing the Trail of the Ancients 
National Heritage Area in the Four Corners region of the States of 
Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce S. 1414, a bill 
that authorizes a study necessary for establishing the Trail of the 
Ancients National Heritage Area in the Four Corners region of the 
States of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. I am joined by 
Senators Bennett, Bingaman, Domenici, and Allard as cosponsors of this 
bill.
  The Four Corners region in the Southwestern United States contains 
many of the most stunning and well-preserved archaeological sites in 
our country. It also offers monuments, museums, and other attractions 
which draw visitors from all over the world. The rare archaeology of 
this part of the world combined with an awesome natural setting makes 
this a region like no other. With this bill we hope to lay the 
groundwork to give this region the attention that it so richly 
deserves.
  Six years ago, Congress voted to support a partnership among these 
four States and the Federal Government in order to construct an 
Interpretive Center at the intersection of the Four Corners. This 
Center has recently opened and now provides a wonderful physical locus 
for travel in the region. Visitors to this spot can stop, rest, learn 
about the area, and purchase goods produced by the local Tribes.
  The designation of the surrounding region as a National Heritage Area 
would complement this experience at the Center and is the logical next 
step. Designation as a National Heritage Area would provide geographic 
and interpretive coherence to the region's remarkable landscape and the 
amazing cultural sites dispersed within it. Designation as a National 
Heritage Area would give visitors to this area an experience that 
integrates land, people, and history in a meaningful way.
  The Four Corners region is also home to the Navaho, Hopi, and Ute 
Indian Tribes, whose ancestors contributed to this remarkable heritage. 
Ancestral Puebloan Indians lived here from about A.D. 1 to 1300 and 
left many of the distinctive sites and structures that are visible 
today. The Navaho and Ute are descendants of these early peoples. The 
history of this area stretches even further back in time, to the Paleo-
Indian era of at least 10,000 years ago. Remains from this era provide 
a glimpse into a way of life very different from today. The area also 
features sites that chronicle the more recent history of the region's 
native peoples, and of the immigrants who came to this area as our 
country expanded to the West.
  This bill provides for the Secretary of the Interior to conduct the 
suitability and feasibility study in cooperation with the Four Corners 
Heritage Council. This Council is a critical partner in the study, and 
is prepared to take the lead in this task. The Council consists of 
members from all four States in the Four Corners area. These members 
are appointed by the governor of each State and include representatives 
from the private sector, local communities, and the Tribes. We are 
fortunate to have such a well-established entity with a good track 
record of accomplishments to take on the study task.
  The bill follows the new guidelines for National Heritage Areas 
recently passed by this body and was crafted in consultation with the 
National Park Service and the Four Corners Heritage Council. Once 
passed, this bill should move easily through the process to completion. 
Final designation of this area as the Trail of the Ancients National 
Heritage Area would link many of the cultural and recreational sites in 
the region for the benefit of local communities and visitors to the 
area. Designation of the area would not impose restrictions on private 
property or require acquisition of additional land.
  S. 1414 is the first step in the national heritage area designation 
process. Designation of this area as the Trail of the Ancients National 
Heritage Area would give these remarkable historic treasures the 
national prominence they deserve, and would provide a structure for the 
State and local communities to promote heritage tourism and economic 
development. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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