[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SCHATZ:
  S. 618. A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
certain special resource studies; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 618

       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 ``Pacific Islands Parks Act of 
     2013''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

       In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
     the Interior.

     SEC. 3. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDIES.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a special 
     resource study of each of the following sites:
       (A) The Ka`u Coast on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii.
       (B) The northern coast of Maui, Hawaii.
       (C) The southeastern coast of Kauai, Hawaii.
       (D) Historic sites on Midway Atoll.
       (E) On request of the Governor of the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, the island of Rota in the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
       (2) Contents.--In conducting each study required under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       (A) evaluate the national significance of the site and the 
     area surrounding the site;
       (B) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
     designating the site as a unit of the National Park System;
       (C) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
     protection, and interpretation of the site by Federal, State, 
     or local governmental entities or private and nonprofit 
     organizations;
       (D) consult with any interested Federal, State, or local 
     governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, 
     or individuals; and
       (E) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, 
     development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance 
     associated with the alternatives considered under the study.
       (b) Updates.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall update the study 
     authorized by section 326(b)(3)(N) of the National Park 
     Service Studies Act of 1999 (as enacted in title III of 
     Appendix C of Public Law 106-113; 113 Stat. 1501A-195) 
     relating to World War II sites in the Republic of Palau.
       (2) Contents.--In updating the study described in paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall--
       (A) determine whether conditions have changed to justify 
     designating the site as a unit of the National Park System;
       (B) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
     protection, and interpretation of the site by Federal, State, 
     or local governmental entities or private and nonprofit 
     organizations;
       (C) consult with any interested Federal, State, or local 
     governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, 
     or individuals; and
       (D) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, 
     development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance 
     associated with the alternatives considered under the study.
       (c) Applicable Law.--The studies and updates to the study 
     required under section shall be conducted in accordance with 
     section 8 of the National Park System General Authorities Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1a-5).
       (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which 
     funds are first made available for the studies and updates to 
     the study under 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 that describes--
       (1) the results of each study and updates to the study; and
       (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary 
     based on the results described in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     Act such sums as are necessary.
                                 ______