Congressional Record, Volume 154 Issue 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)

[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1201-H1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

JUPITER INLET LIGHTHOUSE OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA ACT OF 2008

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1922) to designate the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the
surrounding Federal land in the State of Florida as an Outstanding
Natural Area and as a unit of the National Landscape System, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 1922

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 ``Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Commandant.--The term ``Commandant'' means the
Commandant of the Coast Guard.
(2) Lighthouse.--The term ``Lighthouse'' means the Jupiter
Inlet Lighthouse located in Palm Beach County, Florida.
(3) Local partners.--The term ``Local Partners'' includes--
(A) Palm Beach County, Florida;
(B) the Town of Jupiter, Florida;
(C) the Village of Tequesta, Florida; and
(D) the Loxahatchee River Historical Society.
(4) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the management plan developed under section 4(a).
(5) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Jupiter
Inlet Lighthouse: Outstanding Natural Area'' and dated
October 29, 2007.
(6) Outstanding natural area.--The term ``Outstanding
Natural Area'' means the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding
Natural Area established by section 3(a).
(7) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning
given the term ``public lands'' in section 103(e) of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1702(e)).
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(9) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Florida.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JUPITER INLET LIGHTHOUSE
OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA.

(a) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there
is established for the purposes described in subsection (b)
the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, the
boundaries of which are depicted on the map.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Outstanding Natural Area
are to protect, conserve, and enhance the unique and
nationally important historic, natural, cultural, scientific,
educational, scenic, and recreational values of the Federal
land surrounding the Lighthouse for the benefit of present
generations and future generations of people in the United
States, while--
(1) allowing certain recreational and research activities
to continue in the Outstanding Natural Area; and
(2) ensuring that Coast Guard operations and activities are
unimpeded within the boundaries of the Outstanding Natural
Area.
(c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and
available for public inspection in--
(1) the Office of the Director of the Bureau of Land
Management; and
(2) the Eastern States Office of the Bureau of Land
Management in the State of Virginia.
(d) Withdrawal.--
(1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, section
6, and any existing withdrawals under the Executive orders
and public land order described in paragraph (2), the Federal
land and any interests in the Federal land included in the
Outstanding Natural Area are withdrawn from--
(A) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under
the public land laws;
(B) location, entry, and patent under the public land
mining laws; and
(C) operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing
laws and the mineral materials laws.
(2) Description of executive orders.--The Executive orders
and public land order described in paragraph (1) are--
(A) the Executive Order dated October 22, 1854;
(B) Executive Order No. 4254 (June 12, 1925); and
(C) Public Land Order No. 7202 (61 Fed. Reg. 29758).

SEC. 4. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with
the Commandant, shall develop a comprehensive management plan
in accordance with section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) to--
(1) provide long-term management guidance for the public
land in the Outstanding Natural Area; and
(2) ensure that the Outstanding Natural Area fulfills the
purposes for which the Outstanding Natural Area is
established.
(b) Consultation; Public Participation.--The management
plan shall be developed--

[[Page H1202]]

(1) in consultation with appropriate Federal, State,
county, and local government agencies, the Commandant, the
Local Partners, the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, and
other partners; and
(2) in a manner that ensures full public participation.
(c) Existing Plans.--The management plan shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, be consistent with existing
resource plans, policies, and programs.
(d) Inclusions.--The management plan shall include--
(1) objectives and provisions to ensure--
(A) the protection and conservation of the resource values
of the Outstanding Natural Area; and
(B) the restoration of native plant communities and
estuaries in the Outstanding Natural Area, with an emphasis
on the conservation and enhancement of healthy, functioning
ecological systems in perpetuity;
(2) objectives and provisions to maintain or recreate
historic structures;
(3) an implementation plan for a program of interpretation
and public education about the natural and cultural resources
of the Lighthouse, the public land surrounding the
Lighthouse, and associated structures;
(4) a proposal for administrative and public facilities to
be developed or improved that--
(A) are compatible with achieving the resource objectives
for the Outstanding Natural Area described in section
5(a)(1)(B); and
(B) would accommodate visitors to the Outstanding Natural
Area;
(5) natural and cultural resource management strategies for
the Outstanding Natural Area, to be developed in consultation
with appropriate departments of the State, the Local
Partners, and the Commandant, with an emphasis on resource
conservation in the Outstanding Natural Area and the
interpretive, educational, and long-term scientific uses of
the resources; and
(6) recreational use strategies for the Outstanding Natural
Area, to be prepared in consultation with the Local Partners,
appropriate departments of the State, and the Coast Guard,
with an emphasis on passive recreation.
(e) Interim Plan.--Until a management plan is adopted for
the Outstanding Natural Area, the Jupiter Inlet Coordinated
Resource Management Plan (including any updates or amendments
to the Jupiter Inlet Coordinated Resource Management Plan)
shall be in effect.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT OF THE JUPITER INLET LIGHTHOUSE
OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA.

(a) Management.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Local Partners and the Commandant, shall manage the
Outstanding Natural Area--
(A) as part of the National Landscape Conservation System;
and
(B) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the
unique and nationally important historical, natural,
cultural, scientific, educational, scenic, and recreational
values of the Outstanding Natural Area, including an emphasis
on the restoration of native ecological systems.
(2) Limitation.--In managing the Outstanding Natural Area,
the Secretary shall not take any action that precludes,
prohibits, or otherwise affects the conduct of ongoing or
future Coast Guard operations or activities on lots 16 and
18, as depicted on the map.
(b) Uses.--Subject to valid existing rights and section 6,
the Secretary shall only allow uses of the Outstanding
Natural Area that the Secretary, in consultation with the
Commandant and Local Partners, determines would likely
further--
(1) the purposes for which the Outstanding Natural Area is
established;
(2) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
(3) other applicable laws.
(c) Cooperative Agreements.--To facilitate implementation
of the management plan and to continue the successful
partnerships with local communities and other partners, the
Secretary shall, in accordance with section 307(b) of the
Federal Land Management Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1737(b)), enter into cooperative agreements with the
appropriate Federal, State, county, other local government
agencies, and other partners (including the Loxahatchee River
Historical Society) for the long-term management of the
Outstanding Natural Area.
(d) Research Activities.--To continue successful research
partnerships, pursue future research partnerships, and assist
in the development and implementation of the management plan,
the Secretary may, in accordance with section 307(a) of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1737(a)), authorize the conduct of appropriate research
activities in the Outstanding Natural Area for the purposes
described in section 3(b).
(e) Acquisition of Land.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
may acquire for inclusion in the Outstanding Natural Area any
State or private land or any interest in State or private
land that is--
(A) adjacent to the Outstanding Natural Area; and
(B) identified in the management plan as appropriate for
acquisition.
(2) Means of acquisition.--Land or an interest in land may
be acquired under paragraph (1) only by--
(A) donation;
(B) exchange with a willing party; or
(C) purchase from a willing seller.
(3) Additions to the outstanding natural area.--Any land or
interest in land adjacent to the Outstanding Natural Area
acquired by the United States after the date of enactment of
this Act under paragraph (1) shall be added to, and
administered as part of, the Outstanding Natural Area.
(f) Law Enforcement Activities.--Nothing in this Act, the
management plan, or the Jupiter Inlet Coordinated Resource
Management Plan (including any updates or amendments to the
Jupiter Inlet Coordinated Resource Management Plan)
precludes, prohibits, or otherwise affects--
(1) any maritime security, maritime safety, or
environmental protection mission or activity of the Coast
Guard;
(2) any border security operation or law enforcement
activity by the Department of Homeland Security or the
Department of Justice; or
(3) any law enforcement activity of any Federal, State, or
local law enforcement agency in the Outstanding Natural Area.
(g) Future Disposition of Coast Guard Facilities.--If the
Commandant determines, after the date of enactment of this
Act, that Coast Guard facilities within the Outstanding
Natural Area exceed the needs of the Coast Guard, the
Commandant may relinquish the facilities to the Secretary
without removal, subject only to any environmental
remediation that may be required by law.

SEC. 6. EFFECT ON ONGOING AND FUTURE COAST GUARD OPERATIONS.

Nothing in this Act, the management plan, or the Jupiter
Inlet Coordinated Resource Management Plan (including updates
or amendments to the Jupiter Inlet Coordinated Resource
Management Plan) precludes, prohibits, or otherwise affects
ongoing or future Coast Guard operations or activities in the
Outstanding Natural Area, including--
(1) the continued and future operation of, access to,
maintenance of, and, as may be necessitated for Coast Guard
missions, the expansion, enhancement, or replacement of, the
Coast Guard High Frequency antenna site on lot 16;
(2) the continued and future operation of, access to,
maintenance of, and, as may be necessitated for Coast Guard
missions, the expansion, enhancement, or replacement of, the
military family housing area on lot 18;
(3) the continued and future use of, access to, maintenance
of, and, as may be necessitated for Coast Guard missions, the
expansion, enhancement, or replacement of, the pier on lot
18;
(4) the existing lease of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse on
lot 18 from the Coast Guard to the Loxahatchee River
Historical Society; or
(5) any easements or other less-than-fee interests in
property appurtenant to existing Coast Guard facilities on
lots 16 and 18.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West Virginia.

{time} 1445

General Leave

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from West Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. RAHALL. Introduced by our colleague, Representative Tim Mahoney,
the pending measure would establish the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area, to be managed by the Bureau of Land
Management in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and a local
working group. The lighthouse is the oldest building still standing in
Palm Beach County.
The design for the elegant brick and wrought iron building was
originally drawn by Lieutenant George Gordon Meade, who later gained
fame as the victorious Union general at Gettysburg. The bill would set
aside 126 acres surrounding the lighthouse for protection as an
Outstanding Natural Area as part of the BLM's Natural Landscape
Conservation System. In addition to protecting the historic property,
the bill would allow BLM, the Coast Guard and their local partners to
continue and enhance their long-term stewardship of the area, including
several habitat restoration projects.
Representative Mahoney has done excellent work on this bill to
protect and enhance a piece of the heritage of his district. I fully
support passage of the legislation and urge its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 1922, and
yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the chairman has adequately explained the bill. I have
no additional speakers. It is a good bill.
Mr. MAHONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.
1922, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area Act. Today
is a great day for the towns and communities that live and thrive
beneath the light of this magnificent landmark.
I want to begin by thanking everyone in the community who worked
tirelessly to make this

[[Page H1203]]

day a reality. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
Act serves as an example of what local governments working together can
do. The commitment to this historical lighthouse from officials and
volunteers from Palm Beach County, the Town of Jupiter, the Village of
Tequesta, and the Loxahatchee River Historical Society is truly
remarkable.
I would specifically like to recognize the efforts of Palm Beach
County Commissioner Karen Marcus and Mayor Karen Golonka from the town
of Jupiter. Their leadership and vision have been invaluable on this
project.
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is more than a beacon of light that
guides mariners to safety; it is a monument to Florida's history and a
symbol of our community. Since the lighthouse's construction in 1860,
it has played an important role during military conflicts and has
facilitated commerce up and down the East Coast.
Designed by Lieutenant George Meade, who would later become famous
for his service during the Civil War, the light allowed for vessels to
safely travel down Florida's coast carrying cargo to new markets in the
Caribbean. During World War II, the keeper dimmed the light in order to
protect Allied warships traveling off the coast of Florida from German
U-boat attacks. Today, the light still guides boaters safely home.
The National Landscape Conservation System, and more specifically the
Outstanding Natural Area Designation, was created in 2000 by the
Department of the Interior in an effort to better meet the management
needs of our Nation's public lands and historic treasures. In addition
to the better management practices the system promotes, the designation
helps to spur tourism and expand educational opportunities in
surrounding communities.
It is important to note that the area designated by this bill as an
Outstanding Natural Area is much more than the lighthouse. H.R. 1922
also seeks to protect and better coordinate the management of the more
than 100 acres surrounding the historic structure. This land, like the
lighthouse, has historical, cultural, and environmental value. For
example, the area was first used by Native Americans over 4,000 years
ago. Likewise, in the 17th Century, Europeans first made contact with
this area.
This lighthouse and the surrounding area, however, is much more than
a historical marker. It has become a symbol of this community, woven
into the fabric of our culture, even appearing on the town of Jupiter's
seal.
I recently received a letter from a student at Jupiter High School
detailing why the lighthouse is special to her. She says in the letter:
``I often reminisce about the days my parents used to take [me] to the
area when I was a child and due to these trips my love for nature and
its protection first started to blossom.'' Today, she is a member of
the Jupiter High School Environmental Research and Field Studies
Academy. It is important that we preserve this structure and continue
to give children the opportunity to explore their history and learn
about the environment.
In closing, I would like to thank Chairman Rahall and Subcommittee
Chairman Grijalva for their support throughout this process.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1922, the Jupiter
Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area Act.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1922, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to designate the
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the surrounding Federal land in the State
of Florida as an Outstanding Natural Area and as a unit of the National
Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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