[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 132 (Tuesday, October 18, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H8869-H8870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the Senate bill (S. 55) to adjust the boundary of Rocky Mountain 
National Park in the State of Colorado.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                 S. 55

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

[[Page H8870]]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Rocky Mountain National Park 
     Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Federal parcel.--The term ``Federal parcel'' means the 
     parcel of approximately 70 acres of Federal land near 
     MacGregor Ranch, Larimer County, Colorado, as depicted on the 
     map.
       (2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map numbered 121/
     80,154, dated June 2004.
       (3) Non-federal parcels.--The term ``non-Federal parcels'' 
     means the 3 parcels of non-Federal land comprising 
     approximately 5.9 acres that are located near MacGregor 
     Ranch, Larimer County, Colorado, as depicted on the map.
       (4) Park.--The term ``Park'' means Rocky Mountain National 
     Park in the State of Colorado.

     SEC. 3. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.

       (a) Exchange of Land.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept an offer to 
     convey all right, title, and interest in and to the non-
     Federal parcels to the United States in exchange for the 
     Federal parcel.
       (2) Conveyance.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
     which the Secretary receives an offer under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall convey the Federal parcel in exchange for 
     the non-Federal parcels.
       (3) Conservation easement.--As a condition of the exchange 
     of land under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall reserve a 
     perpetual easement to the Federal parcel for the purposes of 
     protecting, preserving, and enhancing the conservation values 
     of the Federal parcel.
       (b) Boundary Adjustment; Management of Land.--On 
     acquisition of the non-Federal parcels under subsection 
     (a)(2), the Secretary shall--
       (1) adjust the boundary of the Park to reflect the 
     acquisition of the non-Federal parcels; and
       (2) manage the non-Federal parcels as part of the Park, in 
     accordance with any laws (including regulations) applicable 
     to the Park.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam 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 the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, S. 55 is identical to H.R. 774, which I introduced 
earlier this year. S. 55 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior 
to accept a conveyance of 5.9 acres and in return convey approximately 
70 acres to the MacGregor Ranch Trust in order to consolidate 
trailheads and improve visitor access in Rocky Mountain National Park.
  According to the National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park 
is the fifth most visited park in the system. With the popularity of 
Rocky Mountain National Park, the park officials must continuously find 
ways to improve visitor access and enjoyment.
  For this reason, Senator Allard and I introduced the Rocky Mountain 
National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005. This is a 
straightforward piece of legislation, and it is legislation that is 
needed to enhance enjoyment and ease of access to a popular trailhead.
  S. 55 would convey three strategic pieces of land to the park system 
from the MacGregor ranch, a historic working cattle ranch that is 
located within the boundary of the park. The new parcels of land would 
be used to build a new parking lot and road to offer improved access 
for the public, while protecting the historic integrity of the ranch.
  The MacGregor ranch would, in turn, receive much-needed grazing land. 
I believe this is a long-term solution for both the park and the 
MacGregor ranch.
  Madam Speaker, S. 55 is supported by the majority and the minority, 
and I urge passage of the bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, as the majority has 
explained, S. 55 provides for a land exchange at Rocky Mountain 
National Park in order to facilitate the relocation of a park 
trailhead.
  Madam Speaker, the proposed exchange will include private property 
within the park that will further the public use and enjoyment of a 
popular hiking trail. In addition, the legislation requires that a 
conservation easement be maintained on Federal land being conveyed in 
order to protect, preserve, and enhance the conservation values of that 
land.
  Madam Speaker, the terms of the exchange are satisfactory to both 
parties, and we know of no problems with the legislation. That being 
the case, we have no objection to the adoption of S. 55 by the House 
today.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to just thank the majority 
and minority staff and especially Rick Healy of the Resources 
Committee.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, 
which is the companion to a House bill, H.R. 774, introduced by our 
colleague, Mrs. Musgrave, that I have cosponsored with my Colorado 
colleagues Mr. Beauprez and Mr. Tancredo.
  It directs the Secretary of Interior to enter into a land exchange to 
benefit Rocky Mountain National Park, and adjusts the boundary of the 
park in order to facilitate that exchange.
  Rocky Mountain National Park is one of Colorado's outstanding natural 
treasures. Established by Congress in 1915, it includes about 266,000 
acres whose spectacular high alpine scenery and abundant wildlife 
attract over 3 million visitors annually.
  Not all the land within the park's boundaries is owned by the United 
States. One private inholding is the historic McGregor Ranch. Part of 
that ranch is a private access road that hikers and rock climbers have 
been using to reach the Twin Owls Trailhead just inside the park 
boundary and from there to visit various parts of the park.
  Over the last 20 years the popularity of the Twin Owls trailhead has 
grown steadily and in recent years overflow parking from the trailhead 
has had adverse effects on the ranch while the increase in traffic on 
the one-lane access road has diminished the historic character of the 
area.
  For several years the National Park Service, NPS, and the McGregor 
Ranch have been working to find a solution to the traffic and parking 
problems. In 2003, after a process that involved public participation 
and an environmental assessment, the NPS decided to relocate the Twin 
Owls parking lot to the east end of the McGregor Ranch, a location well 
away from the historic homestead. Construction of a new access road and 
a larger parking lot for the trailhead is planned at the new location.
  In order to enforce NPS regulations on the new access road and at the 
new trailhead, the land must be located within the park boundary. This 
legislation is necessary to authorize the land exchange and to adjust 
the park boundary to include the newly acquired lands.
  Under the bill, the McGregor Trust--owner of the ranch--will convey 
5.9 acres of land to the NPS to facilitate the construction and 
management of the new facilities. In exchange, the McGregor Trust will 
acquire up to 70 acres to be used for the purpose of growing hay and 
cattle.
  The difference in the acreages reflects a difference in market value. 
The land now held by the ranch, which will be transferred to the United 
States, is suitable for residential use and therefore of higher per 
acre value than the grazing land that will be transferred to the ranch. 
To maintain the character of the land being transferred to the ranch, 
the National Park Service will retain a conservation easement that will 
allow grazing but prohibit construction of buildings.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is good for the McGregor Ranch, for Rocky 
Mountain National Park, and for the public. I urge its approval.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 55.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.




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