[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5433-H5435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK ACT

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3641) to establish Pinnacles National Park in the State of 
California as a unit of the National Park 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. 3641

       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 ``Pinnacles National Park 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Pinnacles National Monument was established by 
     Presidential Proclamation 796 on January 16, 1908, for the 
     purposes of protecting its rock formations, and expanded by 
     Presidential Proclamation 1660 of May 7, 1923; Presidential 
     Proclamation 1704 of July 2, 1924; Presidential Proclamation 
     1948 of April 13, 1931; Presidential Proclamation 2050 of 
     July 11, 1933; Presidential Proclamation 2528 of December 5, 
     1941; Public Law 94-567; and Presidential Proclamation 7266 
     of January 11, 2000.
       (2) While the extraordinary geology of Pinnacles National 
     Monument has attracted and enthralled visitors for well over 
     a century, the expanded Monument now serves a critical role 
     in protecting other important natural and cultural resources 
     and ecological processes. This expanded role merits 
     recognition through legislation.
       (3) Pinnacles National Monument provides the best remaining 
     refuge for floral and fauna species representative of the 
     central California coast and Pacific coast range, including 
     32 species holding special Federal or State status, not only 
     because of its multiple ecological niches but also because of 
     its long-term protected status with 14,500 acres of 
     Congressionally designated wilderness.
       (4) Pinnacles National Monument encompasses a unique blend 
     of California heritage from prehistoric and historic Native 
     Americans to the arrival of the Spanish, followed by 18th and 
     19th century settlers, including miners, cowboys, vaqueros, 
     ranchers, farmers, and homesteaders.
       (5) Pinnacles National Monument is the only National Park 
     System site within the ancestral home range of the California 
     Condor. The reintroduction of the condor to its traditional 
     range in California is important to the survival of the 
     species, and as a result, the scientific community with 
     centers at the Los Angeles Zoo and San Diego Zoo in 
     California and Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina looks to 
     Pinnacles National Monument as a leader in California Condor 
     recovery, and as an international partner for condor recovery 
     in South America.
       (6) The preservation, enhancement, economic and tourism 
     potential and management of the central California coast and 
     Pacific coast range's important natural and cultural 
     resources requires cooperation and partnerships among local 
     property owners, Federal, State, and local government 
     entities and the private sector.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK.

       (a) Establishment and Purpose.--There is hereby established 
     Pinnacles National Park in the State of California for the 
     purposes of--
       (1) preserving and interpreting for the benefit of future 
     generations the chaparral, grasslands, blue oak woodlands, 
     and majestic valley oak savanna ecosystems of the area, the 
     area's geomorphology, riparian watersheds, unique flora and 
     fauna, and the ancestral and cultural history of native 
     Americans, settlers and explorers; and
       (2) interpreting the recovery program for the California 
     Condor and the international significance of the program.
       (b) Boundaries.--The boundaries of Pinnacles National Park 
     are as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed: 
     Pinnacles National Park Designation Change'', numbered 114/
     111,724, and dated December 2011. The map shall be on file 
     and available for public inspection in the appropriate 
     offices of the National Park Service.
       (c) Abolishment of Current Pinnacles National Monument.--
       (1) In general.--In light of the establishment of Pinnacles 
     National Park, Pinnacles National Monument is hereby 
     abolished and the lands and interests therein are 
     incorporated within and made part of Pinnacles National Park. 
     Any funds available for purposes of the monument shall be 
     available for purposes of the park.
       (2) References.--Any references in law (other than in this 
     Act), regulation, document, record, map or other paper of the 
     United States to Pinnacles National Monument shall be 
     considered a reference to Pinnacles National Park.
       (d) Administration.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     administer Pinnacles National Park in accordance with this 
     Act and laws generally applicable to units of the National 
     Park System, including the National Park Service Organic Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4).

     SEC. 4. REDESIGNATION OF PINNACLES WILDERNESS AS HAIN 
                   WILDERNESS.

       Subsection (i) of the first section of Public Law 94-567 
     (90 Stat. 2693; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note) is amended by striking 
     ``Pinnacles Wilderness'' and inserting ``Hain Wilderness''. 
     Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or 
     other record of the United States to the Pinnacles Wilderness 
     shall be deemed to be a reference to the Hain Wilderness.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana 
Islands (Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LAMBORN. 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 materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 4631 renames Pinnacles National Monument as Pinnacles National 
Park. Pinnacles was originally designated in 1908 by President 
Roosevelt under the authority of the Antiquities Act. However, under 
this legislation, it is not anticipated that management would change 
dramatically as the area is already considered a unit of the National 
Park Service.
  The Natural Resources Committee made important changes to H.R. 3641, 
allowing us to bring this to the floor today. For example, the 
committee removed a nearly 3,000-acre wilderness expansion and struck 
unnecessary land acquisition authority. With these changes, the goal of 
elevating recognition of the area as a national park is achieved 
without limiting access.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)

[[Page H5434]]

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, President Theodore Roosevelt designated 
Pinnacles National Monument in California under the authority of the 
Antiquities Act of 1908.
  H.R. 3641 would redesignate the monument as Pinnacles National Park. 
While the name change will not significantly alter management of the 
area, it will raise the profile of this beautiful resource and 
hopefully attract even more visitors.
  Representative Farr is to be commended for his tenacity in moving 
this legislation forward. He has had to make some very difficult 
concessions to achieve passage of his bill today, and it is our hope 
that we can continue working on this to achieve his full vision for 
Pinnacles National Park.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3641, known as the 
Pinnacles National Park Act. As the sponsor of this bipartisan 
legislation, I would also like to express my thanks to my friend, 
Congressman Denham from California, for his original cosponsorship of 
H.R. 3641.
  The Pinnacles National Park Act will elevate America's 11th national 
monument, the Pinnacles National Monument, to a national park. Only 
Congress can designate a national park. This is the right thing to do 
because there are not a lot of examples of tectonic plate movement in 
our National Park System. This legislation would also rename the 
current Pinnacles Wilderness after Schuyler Hain, who first came to the 
area in 1886 and was largely responsible for getting the attention of 
Theodore Roosevelt, who first designated the monument in 1908.
  The first designation was to protect the beautiful rock formations 
and talus caves, notable for its tunnels. It has since been expanded 
several times by executive order and by congressional mandate to its 
present size of over 26,000 acres. It is larger than several existing 
national parks.
  Pinnacles is a culturally significant area for several Native 
American tribes. It served as the backdrop for John Steinbeck's ``Of 
Mice and Men'' and ``East of Eden.''
  Anyone who has visited this place knows it's special. From exploring 
caves to viewing springtime wildflowers to hiking through spire-like 
rock formations, visitors and families can participate in activities 
that leave lasting memories. It is truly worthy of national park 
status.
  The Pinnacles, themselves, are half of the skeletal remains of the 
Neenach Volcano, which erupted 23 million years ago, and are located at 
the junction of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. The San 
Andreas Fault is just 4 miles to the east, and Miner's Gulch and 
Pinnacles Faults run directly through the Pinnacles system.
  The Pinnacles system is home to 149 species of birds, 49 mammals, 22 
reptiles, 6 amphibians, 68 butterflies, 36 dragonflies and damselflies, 
and nearly 400 different kinds of bees--I didn't even know there were 
that many--and many thousands of other invertebrates.

                              {time}  1700

  One project I'm particularly proud about is the reintroduction of the 
endangered California condor, the largest flying land bird in North 
America. Since 2003, the Park Service has been a part of the California 
Condor Recovery Program to reestablish California condors at Pinnacles 
National Monument.
  This cooperative endeavor between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Ventana Wildlife Society, Pinnacles Partnership, and others, in 
collaboration with the California Condor Recovery Team, has done a 
tremendous job on recovery efforts and public education. Many visitors 
come to this region to get an opportunity to see the condor in the 
wild.
  This legislation has broad support from our counties of San Benito 
and Monterey, as well as the chambers of commerce, visitors bureaus, 
and from the respective counties who are enthusiastically supportive of 
this legislation. There is no opposition to the bill. The Pinnacles is 
uniquely located in coastal California to attract thousands of visitors 
each year who provide a viable and vital economic engine for San Benito 
County. Tourism is the primary focus for many of the business owners on 
the central coast. Increasing the number of tourists would promote a 
healthy impact for those not only in the retail sector, but also 
dining, lodging and sightseeing opportunities.
  The new national park designation would strengthen the region's 
economic and tourism potential. There is no national park in that whole 
region. Research shows that for every one dollar invested by the 
Federal Government into our national parks, it returns $4 to the 
community in tourism dollars.
  Situated slightly inland from the California coast, Pinnacles 
National Monument has not yet realized its full potential to reach 
locals and tourists. Many tourists travel, dine, and stay overnight in 
areas along the coast such as Monterey and Santa Cruz, where they are 
visiting to recreate, camp, view wildlife, and enjoy the great 
outdoors. However, many are not aware of the Pinnacles National 
Monument and, as a result, do not make short trip inland to see this 
treasure. By elevating its stature to a national park, I believe that 
more visitors will come through our restaurants and businesses and more 
visitors will stay overnight near the park.
  I'd like to end with an inspiring quote from Ken Burns, who directed 
``The National Parks: America's Best Idea.'' In a letter of support, 
Mr. Burns wrote for this legislation, he stated:

       A Pinnacles National Park would preserve a unique portion 
     of our land: not only a critical record of geologic time, 
     what John Muir would have called a ``grand geological 
     library'' that helps Americans look back millions of years to 
     understand the vast tectonic forces that shaped--and still 
     shape--our continent, but also a rare habitat for condors, a 
     wide array of flowers, and 400 species of bees. It would 
     preserve a place that, over the centuries, Native Americans, 
     early Spanish settlers, homesteaders from the East, and 
     Basque sheepherders have considered home, offering an 
     important series of perspectives on the larger sweep of 
     American history.

  With that bit of wisdom, I would urge my colleagues to support our 
bipartisan legislation. Again, I would like to thank Jeff Denham, a 
Congressman from the region, for supporting and cosponsoring H.R. 3641, 
the Pinnacles National Park Act.
  I ask your support.

                            Florentine Films


  Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, Statement for the Record in Support of 
                 H.R. 3444, Pinnacles National Park Act

       During the last ten years, as we researched, filmed, and 
     created our documentary series for PBS, The National Parks: 
     America's Best Idea, we grew to appreciate the amazing 
     diversity of the special treasures that constitute our 
     national parks, every American's incredible inheritance. And 
     in studying the history of the evolution of the national park 
     idea, we learned that many of today's national parks were at 
     one time national monuments--from the Grand Canyon to Death 
     Valley, from Petrified Forest to Biscayne, from Congaree to 
     most of Alaska's national parks, and so many more.
       In that spirit, grounded in the tradition of recognizing 
     the special importance of a national monument by extending 
     its designation to that of a national park, we wish to 
     wholeheartedly endorse H.R. 3444 and the creation of 
     Pinnacles National Park.
       A Pinnacles National Park would preserve a unique portion 
     of our land: not only a critical record of geological time 
     (what John Muir would have called a ``grand geological 
     library'') that helps Americans look back millions of years 
     to understand the vast tectonic forces that shaped--and still 
     shape--our continent, but also a rare habitat for condors, a 
     wide array of flowers, and 400 species of bees. It would 
     preserve a place that, over the centuries, Native Americans, 
     early Spanish settlers, homesteaders from the East, and 
     Basque sheepherders have considered home, offering an 
     important series of perspectives on the larger sweep of 
     American history.
       We also understand from our investigation of national park 
     history that, while changing an area's designation from 
     ``monument'' to ``park'' does not necessarily change its 
     crucial attributes, it nonetheless alters its place in the 
     American imagination. The Grand Canyon was just as wide and 
     deep when it was a national monument as it is now as a 
     national park, but the change enhanced its status in the eyes 
     of the public--and in doing so increased its lure to visitors 
     from our nation and abroad. So, too, a Pinnacles National 
     Park, simply by its new designation, would attract and demand 
     greater attention to the remarkable treasures the monument 
     has to offer.
       In closing, we would like to quote John Muir once more, 
     when he was writing about the proposal to make Mount Rainier 
     National Forest into Mount Rainier National

[[Page H5435]]

     Park: ``Happy will be the men who, having the power and the 
     love and the benevolent forecast to [create a park], will do 
     it. They will not be forgotten. The trees and their lovers 
     will sing their praises, and generations yet unborn will rise 
     up and call them blessed.'' Please give your support to 
     creating Pinnacles National Park. Generations yet to come 
     will thank you for it.
     Ken Burns.
     Dayton Duncan.

  Mr. LAMBORN. I would like to inquire if the gentleman from the 
Northern Marianas has any other speakers?
  Mr. SABLAN. No, we don't, Mr. Speaker.
  At this time, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Likewise, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3641, 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.

                          ____________________