[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S450-S451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI (for himself and Mr. Bingaman):
  S. 260. A bill to establish the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave 
National Conservation Area; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
protect a natural wonder in my home State of New Mexico. A passage 
within the Fort Stanton Cave contains what can only be described as a 
magnificent white river of calcite. I am pleased to be joined in this 
effort again this year 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 dates back to at least the 1850s, 
when troops stationed in the area began visiting the network of 
caverns. Exploration continued over the years and in 2001 BLM 
volunteers discovered a two-mile long continuous calcite formation.
  We have not found a formation of this size anywhere else in New 
Mexico or perhaps even in the United States. Because of the beauty and 
distinct appearance of this discovery, I continue to be 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 so striking and so 
significant. 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 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 with State and other institutions and to cooperate with 
Lincoln County to address the historical involvement of the local 
community; (5) protects the caves from mineral and mining leasing 
operations.
  As the people of my home State of New Mexico know, we have many 
natural wonders, and I am proud to play a role in the protection of 
this recent unique discovery. 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 text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 260

       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 
     Cave National Conservation Area Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Conservation area.--The term ``Conservation Area'' 
     means the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National 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 CAVE 
                   NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA.

       (a) Establishment; Purposes.--There is established the Fort 
     Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area in 
     Lincoln County, New Mexico, to protect, conserve, and enhance 
     the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, 
     scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational 
     subterranean cave resources of the Fort Stanton-Snowy River 
     cave system.
       (b) Area Included.--The Conservation Area shall include the 
     area within the boundaries depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area'' 
     and dated November 2005.
       (c) Map and Legal Description.--
       (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     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. MANAGEMENT OF THE CONSERVATION AREA.

       (a) Management.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the 
     Conservation Area--
       (A) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the 
     resources and values of the Conservation Area, including the 
     resources and values described in section 3(a); and
       (B) in accordance with--
       (i) this Act;
       (ii) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
     U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
       (iii) any other applicable laws.
       (2) Uses.--The Secretary shall only allow uses of the 
     Conservation Area that are consistent with the protection of 
     the cave resources.
       (3) Requirements.--In administering the Conservation Area, 
     the Secretary shall provide 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;

[[Page S451]]

       (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 or other new 
     uses of the Conservation Area that do not impair the purposes 
     for which the Conservation Area is established;
       (D) management of the surface area of the Conservation Area 
     in accordance with the Fort Stanton Area of Critical 
     Environmental Concern Final Activity Plan dated March, 2001, 
     or any amendments to the plan, consistent with this Act; and
       (E) 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 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) provide for 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.--The 
     establishment of the Conservation Area shall not--
       (1) create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the 
     Conservation Area; or
       (2) preclude uses or activities outside the Conservation 
     Area that are permitted under other applicable laws, even if 
     the uses or activities are prohibited within the Conservation 
     Area.
       (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, in a manner 
     consistent with this Act, 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. To establish the Fort 
     Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area.
                                 ______