[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H6023-H6024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CAMP HALE STUDY ACT

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 2330) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry 
out a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of 
establishing Camp Hale as a unit of the National Park System, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2330

       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 ``Camp Hale Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY OF THE SUITABILITY AND 
                   FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING CAMP HALE AS A UNIT 
                   OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting 
     through the Director of the National Park Service 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary''), shall 
     complete a special resource study of Camp Hale to determine--
       (1) the suitability and feasibility of designating Camp 
     Hale as a separate unit of the National Park System; and
       (2) the methods and means for the protection and 
     interpretation of Camp Hale by the National Park Service, 
     other Federal, State, or local government entities or private 
     or nonprofit organizations.
       (b) Study Requirements.--The Secretary shall conduct the 
     study in accordance with

[[Page H6024]]

     section 8(c) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5(c)).
       (c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which 
     funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing--
       (1) the results of the study; and
       (2) any recommendations of the Secretary.

     SEC. 3. EFFECT OF STUDY.

       Nothing in this Act shall affect valid existing rights, 
     including--
       (1) all interstate water compacts in existence on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act (including full development of 
     any apportionment made in accordance with the compacts);
       (2) water rights decreed at the Camp Hale site or flowing 
     within, below, or through the Camp Hale site;
       (3) water rights in the State of Colorado;
       (4) water rights held by the United States; and
       (5) the management and operation of any reservoir, 
     including the storage, management, release, or transportation 
     of water.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Colorado 
(Mr. Lamborn) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, again I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days 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 the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2330 was introduced by our 
colleague from Colorado, Representative Lamborn, and the bill directs 
the National Park Service to study how best to preserve Camp Hale near 
Leadville, Colorado. Camp Hale operated from 1942 to 1965 as a winter 
and high-altitude training venue for the 10th Mountain Division and 
other elements of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  This 250,000-acre camp was also used by the Central Intelligence 
Agency as a secret center for training Tibetan refugees in guerilla 
warfare to resist the Chinese occupation. The lands were returned to 
the Forest Service in 1966.
  Today, the camp is part of the White River and San Isabel National 
Forests. Camp Hale was placed on the National Register of Historic 
Places in 1992. This legislation passed the House last Congress but was 
not acted upon by the other body.
  Mr. Speaker, we support the passage of this measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Thank you. I would like to thank the gentlelady for her kind words.
  I am pleased to be the sponsor of this bill that directs the National 
Park Service to study the suitability of Camp Hale for designation as a 
unit of the National Park System. Tennessee Pass and Camp Hale served 
as the training site for the 10th Mountain Division, a specialized 
skiing unit whose heroism during World War II in Italy still inspires 
our Nation. Later, the site was used for covert training operations for 
Tibetan freedom fighters and other activities that furthered the cause 
of freedom during the Cold War.
  The geography of the area is ideal for winter and high-altitude 
training, with steep mountains surrounding a level valley suitable for 
housing and other facilities. In addition to the 10th Mountain 
Division, the 38th Regimental Combat Team and 99th Infantry Battalion, 
as well as soldiers from Fort Carson, were trained at Camp Hale from 
1942 to 1965.
  Today, this landmark section of Colorado is the location of an 
outstanding ski area. With Park Service recognition, it will provide 
unique educational opportunities for learning about an important but 
little-known part of our history. Listing Tennessee Pass and Camp Hale 
as a unit of the National Park System will allow us to learn about and 
experience a unique episode of history in its original setting in this 
spectacular beauty of Colorado.

                              {time}  1445

  I also want to thank Senator Mark Udall, who last year as a 
Representative was a cosponsor of this bill with me and this year has 
agreed to be the Senate sponsor if, and when, this bill goes to the 
Senate.
  At this point, I would yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I have no further speakers. I yield back the 
balance of my time as well.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2330, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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