[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S712-S713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 311. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the 
suitability and feasibility of designating sites in the Lower 
Mississippi River Area in the State of Louisiana as a unit of the 
National Park System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
entitled the Lower Mississippi River National Historic Site Study Act. 
This bill will direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the 
suitability and feasibility of designating sites in Plaquemines Parish 
along the Lower Mississippi River Area as units of the National Park 
System. I know there are several of my colleagues across the aisle that 
do not want to authorize such studies because they only target one 
area, or because it potentially will cost the Federal Government a 
modest amount to conduct such a study. I can appreciate those 
sentiments, but the good news with this particular study, is that the 
local government feels this is so important to get done, they are 
willing to pay for all or some of the study if necessary, because they 
know these sites deserve Federal recognition as a unit of the National 
Park Service.
  This area in Southeastern Louisiana has contributed much to our 
Nation's history, and there are many stories that have yet to be 
preserved for future generations. Unless Congress acts to preserve 
these historical assets, they will be lost forever. That is why I am 
again for the fourth time, introducing this legislation. It is 
important that this legislation become law and I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to enact it.
  In order to be designated as a unit in the National Park System, the 
Department of the Interior must first conduct a special resources study 
to determine whether an area possesses nationally significant natural, 
cultural or recreational resources to be eligible for favorable 
consideration.
  This is exactly what my bill does--it asks the Department of the 
Interior to take the first step in determining what I already know--
that the Lower Mississippi River Area would be a suitable and feasible 
asset to the National Park Service.
  As many from Louisiana are already aware, this area has vast 
historical significance with cultural history. In the 1500s, Spanish 
explorers traveled along the banks of the river. In 1682, Robert de 
LaSalle claimed all the land drained by the area. In 1699, the site of 
the first fortification on the Lower Mississippi river, known as Fort 
Mississippi. Since then, it has been home to ten different 
fortifications, including Fort St. Phillip and Fort Jackson.
  Fort St. Philip, which was originally built in 1749, played a key 
role during the Battle of New Orleans when American soldiers blocked 
the British Navy from going upriver. Fort Jackson was built at the 
request of General Andrew Jackson and partially constructed by famous 
local Civil War General, P.G.T. Beauregard. This fort was the site of 
the famous Civil War battle known as the ``Battle of Forts'' which is 
also referred to as the ``night the war was lost.'' As you can see, 
from a historical perspective, this area has many treasures that 
provide a glimpse into our past. These are treasures that have national 
significance and they should be maintained and preserved.
  In addition, there are many other important and unique attributes to 
this area. This area is home to the longest continuous river road and 
levee system in the U.S. It is also home to the ancient Head of Passes 
site, to the Plaquemines Bend, and to two National Wildlife Refuges.
  Finally, this area has a rich cultural heritage. Over the years, many 
different cultures have made this area home, including Creoles, 
Europeans, Indians, Yugoslavs, African-Americans and Vietnamese. These 
cultures have worked together to create the infrastructure for the 
transport of our Nation's energy, which is being produced by these same 
people off our shores in the Gulf of Mexico. They have also created a 
vibrant fishing industry that contributes to Louisiana's economy.

[[Page S713]]

  I think it is easy to see why this area would make an excellent 
addition to the National Park Service. However, the longer Congress 
takes to act, the greater the opportunity for these treasures and their 
rich history to erode away. Unfortunately, this area has weathered the 
passing of several hurricanes, including Katrina and most recently 
Isaac, and is now suffering from the impacts of the BP oil spill. All 
of these events threaten to destroy these historical assets, but this 
need not be the case. These assets need protection and this is the 
first step in securing it. That is why I am re-introducing this bill--
to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of 
including this area in the system and ultimately to begin the process 
of adding this area as a unit of the National Park Service. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues to quickly enact this bill.
                                 ______