[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 162 (Thursday, December 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2107-E2108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SANGRE DE CRISTO AREA STUDY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 9, 2010

  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

     SECTION I. SANGRE DE CRISTO AREA STUDY

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Sangre de Cristo Mountain range ecosystem, which 
     extends from Santa Fe, New Mexico, through southern Colorado, 
     to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, includes 
     a number of thirteen and fourteen thousand foot peaks, 
     diverse and abundant wildlife, and a rich diversity of 
     ecotypes.
       (2) The Sangre de Cristo Mountain range provides a wide 
     range of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, 
     camping, hunting, and other activities.
       (3) The Sangre de Cristo Mountain range contains numerous 
     areas of cultural and historical interest, beginning with the 
     earliest Native Americans in the area, spanning the periods 
     of Spanish and Mexican rule, and including the creation of 
     the States of Colorado and New Mexico within the United 
     States of America.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to authorize a 
     study to determine the most effective ways to preserve, 
     protect and interpret the natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources associated with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range 
     ecosystem in northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado.
       (c) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) shall 
     conduct a special resource study of lands within the Sangre 
     de Cristo Mountains and nearby communities in the San Luis 
     Valley in the State of Colorado and the Sangre de Cristo 
     Mountains and nearby communities in the State of New Mexico, 
     north of the city of Santa Fe, including any federal lands 
     adjacent to the mountains or within these areas to determine 
     whether any such lands may be suitable for inclusion in the 
     National Park System.
       (d) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection 
     (c), the Secretary shall--
       (1) evaluate the national and international significance of 
     these lands, including
       (A) the Native American history of the area before the 
     founding of the City of Santa Fe in 1598;
       (B) the history of communities under Spanish rule from 1598 
     through 1821;
       (C) the history of communities under Mexican rule between 
     1821 and 1848, the date of conclusion of the Mexican American 
     War; and
       (D) the post-1848 history of the area under United States' 
     rule including the first non-native American settlements, and 
     the creation of the States of Colorado and New Mexico;
       (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
     designating portions of these lands as a unit of the National 
     Park System;
       (3) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
     protection, and interpretation of the lands by federal, 
     State, or local governmental entities, or private and 
     nonprofit organizations, including
       (A) coordination of land management among federal agencies 
     in the area; and
       (B) cooperative voluntary conservation efforts with private 
     landowners;
       (4) consult with interested federal, State, or local 
     governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations or 
     any other interested individuals; and
       (5) identify cost estimates for any federal acquisition, 
     development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance 
     associated with the alternatives.

[[Page E2108]]

       (c) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection 
     (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 8 of Public 
     Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. la-5).
       (d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
     funds are first made available for the study under subsection 
     (a), 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 that 
     describes--
       (1) the findings of the study; and
       (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
       (e) Appropriation Authority.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
     section.

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