[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 191 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6046-H6048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              BEAR RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3616) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of 
designating certain land as the Bear River National Heritage Area, and 
for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3616

       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 ``Bear River National Heritage 
     Area Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Bear River National Heritage Area.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (3) States.--The term ``States'' means the States of Utah 
     and Idaho.
       (4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means--
       (A) areas in the States that are within the main drainage 
     area of the Bear River;
       (B) all of Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties in the State 
     of Utah, and Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, and Oneida 
     Counties in the State of Idaho;
       (C) the following communities in Utah: Bear River, Brigham 
     City, Corinne, Deweyville, Elwood, Fielding, Garland, 
     Honeyville, Howell, Mantua, Perry, Plymouth, Portage, 
     Snowville, Tremonton, Willard, Amalga, Clarkston, Cornish, 
     Hyde Park, Hyrum, Lewiston, Logan, Mendon, Millville, Newton, 
     Nibley, North Logan, Paradise, Providence, Richmond, River 
     Heights, Smithfield, Trenton, Wellsville, Garden City, 
     Laketown, Randolph, and Woodruff;
       (D) the following communities in Idaho: Malad, Clifton, 
     Dayton, Franklin, Preston, Oxford, Weston, Bancroft, Soda 
     Springs, Grace, Bloomington, Paris, Georgetown, Montpelier, 
     and St. Charles; and
       (E) any other areas in the States that--
       (i) have heritage aspects that are similar to the areas 
     described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), or (D); and
       (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.

     SEC. 3. STUDY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with State 
     and local organizations and governmental agencies, Tribal 
     governments, non-profit organizations, and other appropriate 
     entities, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and 
     feasibility of designating the study area as a National 
     Heritage Area, to be known as the ``Bear River National 
     Heritage Area''.
       (b) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis, 
     documentation, and determinations on whether the study area--
       (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources that--
       (A) represent distinctive aspects of the people and 
     cultures of the United States;
       (B) are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use; and
       (C) would be best managed--
       (i) through partnerships among public and private entities; 
     and
       (ii) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous 
     resources and active communities;
       (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife 
     that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;
       (3) provides outstanding opportunities--
       (A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic 
     features; and

[[Page H6047]]

       (B) for recreation and education;
       (4) contains resources that--
       (A) are important to any identified themes of the study 
     area; and
       (B) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting 
     interpretation;
       (5) includes residents, business interests, non-profit 
     organizations, and State, local, and Tribal governments, and 
     other appropriate entities that--
       (A) are involved in the planning of the Heritage Area;
       (B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that 
     outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage Area, 
     including the Federal Government; and
       (C) have demonstrated support for the designation of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (6) has a potential management entity to work in 
     partnership with the individuals and entities described in 
     paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging 
     State and local economic activity;
       (7) could impact the rights of private property owners with 
     respect to their private property; and
       (8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
     public.

     SEC. 4. REPORT.

       Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are 
     first made available to carry out 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 findings of the study under section 3; and
       (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. 
Westerman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.


                             General Leave

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New Mexico?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3616, the Bear River 
National Heritage Study Act, introduced by my Natural Resources 
Committee colleague, Representative Blake Moore.
  H.R. 3616 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing the Bear River National 
Heritage Area.
  The study area would include seven counties in northern Utah and 
southeastern Idaho, focusing on areas that are within the main drainage 
area of the Bear River.
  Heritage area designations are locally driven initiatives that 
leverage Federal resources to support the preservation of shared 
heritage in a manner that boosts conservation, recreation, and economic 
development. These shared stories are vital, as we consider what is the 
American story. These heritage centers have proven successful all over 
the country, and I am pleased to support this bill that will examine 
the potential of the Bear River region.
  I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure a 
successful and sustainable future for the entire Heritage Area program 
and would, again, like to congratulate Representative Moore for 
championing this bill on behalf of his constituents.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I first want to thank Chairman Grijalva and Chairwoman 
Leger Fernandez for their cooperation in moving this bill forward.
  H.R. 3616, offered by my colleague, Mr. Moore of Utah, requires the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability 
and feasibility of designating the Bear River National Heritage Area in 
northern Utah and southern Idaho.
  The Bear River area straddles the Utah-Idaho border where the Great 
Basin and Rocky Mountains meet. It is home to the Northwestern Band of 
the Shoshone Nation, the Golden Spike National Historical Park, the 
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, the Hardware Ranch, numerous Latter-
day Saints history sites, the Oregon Trail, and a strong agricultural 
economy and abundant natural beauty.
  The Bear River area is a great candidate for study as a potential 
national heritage area, and this legislation enjoys strong local 
support.
  I commend Congressman Moore for his work on this legislation, and I 
urge adoption of the measure.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore).
  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the 
House Natural Resources Committee for his support of this legislation 
and also to my colleague from New Mexico, Representative Leger 
Fernandez, for her kind words of support and her support of the bill 
overall, as well as, most importantly, our committee staff. I thank 
them all very much.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3616, the Bear 
River National Heritage Area Study Act, which would conduct a study to 
determine the area's suitability for a national heritage area 
designation. This would help local communities in the area protect 
important elements of their heritage and promote the area's tourism 
industry.
  This important bill enjoys significant local support and, if enacted, 
would help the region better share its incredible history with the 
world.
  The Bear River basin, which stretches through northern Utah and 
southeastern Idaho, played a key role in the settling, expansion, and 
development of the American West.
  Native American Tribes, such as the Shoshone, called this area home 
because of its lush environment and favorable weather. Today, with the 
construction of the Boa Ogoi Cultural Interpretive Center in 
southeastern Idaho, these stories will soon be told like never before.
  Eventually, explorers and adventures, fur trappers, and religious 
pioneers also settled in the area and began to build homes. The 
region's natural water supply makes it ideal for farming, and it 
quickly became home to thriving frontier towns. Generations of family 
farms in northern Utah and southeast Idaho can trace their origins to 
these early days.
  Later, the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Summit marked 
the completion of the transcontinental railroad, an element of pride 
for the entire area. This pivotal moment launched our great Nation onto 
the global stage and into the modern world.
  Today, this special place is home to thriving communities that 
support jobs in the tech, agriculture, education, manufacturing, 
service, and tourism industries.
  As we look backwards to retell the history of this region, these 
industries are looking forward to writing the next chapter of the Bear 
River basin's story.
  I am grateful for Chairman Grijalva, Ranking Member Westerman, 
Representative Leger Fernandez, and their fantastic staff for all their 
help on this effort.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing this 
to our attention, I urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support 
this bill. I look forward to listening to the many interconnected and 
complex stories that will come out of this study and to perhaps 
visiting the heritage area in the near future. I urge my colleagues to 
support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3616.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

[[Page H6048]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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