[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11746-H11747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CASCADIA MARINE TRAIL STUDY ACT

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1641) to amend the National Trails System Act to provide for 
a study of the Cascadia Marine Trail, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1641

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

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF TRAIL FOR STUDY.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Cascadia Marine Trail Study Act''.
       (b) Designation of Trail for Study.--Section 5(c) of the 
     National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(__) Cascadia Marine Trail, a series of water trail 
     routes encompassing approximately 2,300 miles of shoreline in 
     the State of Washington, extending from Point Roberts near 
     the Canadian border to the southern reach of Puget Sound near 
     Olympia. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall 
     coordinate with appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, 
     and private entities, and may evaluate sites of recreational, 
     scenic, or historic significance near the Cascadia Marine 
     Trail for potential inclusion in the Trail. The Secretary 
     shall also consider what activities may be limited by the 
     designation, including existing activities, hunting, boating, 
     or proposed infrastructure improvements.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.

[[Page H11747]]

                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Puget Sound region of Washington State combines 
tremendous scenic beauty with numerous historic sites. Boaters and 
kayakers traveling these waters are surrounded by spectacular mountains 
and abundant wildlife.
  Through 15 years of diligent work by local advocates and volunteers, 
54 campsites on a 150-mile route along the coast now constitute the 
Cascadia Marine Trail. The pending measure would authorize a study of 
this trail for its potential inclusion in the National Trails System. 
So, by all accounts, this trail is certainly worthy of this 
consideration.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend our colleague, Representative Jay Inslee, for 
his hard work and for his dedication to this legislation. I support the 
passage of H.R. 1641, and urge all Members to do so as well.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1641 has been adequately explained by the majority. 
As the current trail is being operated successfully at a local level, 
we are not aware of the need for this legislation.
  Apparently, though, some believe there is a compelling need for 
Federal involvement where Americans paddle kayaks in the Puget Sound. 
As this bill provides for a study of the federalization of these water 
trails, possible objections will likely be held until the study is 
completed and until actual Federal control is to be proposed.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).
  Mr. INSLEE. Thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill simply provides for a study of feasibility of 
adding the Cascadia Marine Trail to the National Trails System.
  This trail is entirely a water-based trail, extending from the 
Canadian border through the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound and south to 
our State capital of Olympia. Significant portions of this trail run 
through the waters of my district. It includes 2,300 miles of shoreline 
and 55 safe pullouts right now for camping areas of non-motorized, 
beachable watercraft.
  Thousands of people have the potential of enjoying this trail. It was 
added as a national recreation trail in '94, and the Canoe Association 
designated the trail as an ACA-recommended water trail in 2005.
  We know it's a beautiful spot. I've been there. I encourage everyone 
to give it a go. It gives users unique opportunities to see eagles, 
orca, otters, porpoises, and whales. It's quite a place to be, but we 
do think it's an appropriate study to consider its inclusion in our 
National Trails System given the national notoriety and publicity that 
this will entail, and it will allow people to really know about the 
trail.
  I want to thank Chairman Rahall and Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva 
for their work to move this forward. I would like to also acknowledge 
the National Park Service office in Seattle for their technical 
assistance. I want to thank my constituents who have been working on 
this now for at least two decades, particularly the Washington Water 
Trails Association, especially Don Crook, Reed Waite and Julie Anderson 
for their efforts, and John Kuntz, with the Olympic Outdoor Centers, 
and the Kitsap Paddle Club for their leadership.
  It is supported by the Washington Water Trails Association, the 
National Parks Conservation Association, the Washington Wildlife and 
Recreation Coalition, and the Washington State Parks.
  I want to thank the Speaker, Mr. Larsen, for cosponsoring this bill, 
and I can guarantee anyone who will enjoy this national water trail 
that it never rains in Puget Sound.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I have no further requests for time, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge Members to support the 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1641, 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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