[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 47 (Monday, March 16, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2521-H2523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NORTH RIM RESTORATION ACT
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5729) to authorize direct emergency acquisition
flexibilities for the National Park Service for the purpose of
retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting contractor approval for
the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance, and improvement of the Grand
Canyon grounds that have been impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5729
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 ``North Rim Restoration Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Covered area.--The term ``covered area'' means the
areas within Grand Canyon National Park impacted by the
Dragon Bravo Fire.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
SEC. 3. EMERGENCY CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any requirement for a
Presidential emergency or disaster declaration, the Secretary
is authorized to use the emergency acquisition flexibilities
under part 18 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (and
any successor regulations), including the increased micro-
purchase thresholds, simplified acquisition thresholds, and
other higher-level emergency flexibilities, in contracting
for the following services within the covered area:
(1) Forest management or restoration activities carried out
in response to the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(2) Rebuilding, planning, development, and design of
structures affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(3) Improvements to the grounds and structures.
(4) Recovery efforts.
(5) Any activity listed in section 4(a).
(b) Process for Other Services.--Unless otherwise provided
by law or regulation, the authority granted under subsection
(a) does not apply to contracts for services other than those
described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a).
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the Secretary
begins to use the authorization under subsection (a), and
every 180 days thereafter until the date that is 180 days
after the date described in subsection (e), the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Natural Resources and
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural
Resources and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report on all expenditures related to the
recovery efforts for the Dragon Bravo Fire, including the
following:
(1) The expected cost of recovery efforts.
(2) Cost expenditures.
(3) Cost overruns.
(4) Identification of contractors preforming the work
associated with the recovery from the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(5) Any affiliations or conflicts of interest between the
contractor and the contracting office at the Grand Canyon
National Park or the National Park Service.
(6) Any waste, fraud, or abuse detected during the recovery
efforts.
(7) Any contracts that came in under expected expenses.
(8) An estimated time of completion for all projects and
full recovery efforts related to the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(9) If an extension is needed for this authority to
complete projects associated with the Dragon Bravo Fire.
(d) Extension.--If, after the date of the enactment of this
Act, a new wildfire ignites within the covered area and
impacts recovery efforts related to the Dragon Bravo Fire,
the Secretary may request a 12-month extension of the
authority granted under subsection (a), subject to
congressional approval.
(e) Expiration.--The authority granted under subsection (a)
shall expire on the date that is the earlier of the
following:
(1) 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The date on which projects and recovery efforts within
the covered area are completed, as determined by the
Secretary.
SEC. 4. LIMITED SOLE-SOURCE PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title 41,
United States Code, or any other provision of law relating to
the use of competitive procedures for the procurement of
services, supplies, or construction materials and services,
subject to a determination made by the Secretary under
subsection (b), the Secretary may enter into one or more
contracts, on a noncompetitive basis, for the planning,
design, repair, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation,
stabilization, replacement, or operation of assets supporting
the recovery and reopening of the Grand Canyon National Park
North Rim, including--
(1) employee housing and related facilities;
(2) water, wastewater, power, communications, and other
utility systems;
(3) visitor-facing facilities and infrastructure, including
lodging, food service, retail, transportation, and associated
public-use facilities; and
(4) maintenance, administration, and other back-of-house
assets necessary for safe and continuous operation of North
Rim services.
(b) Determination Required.--The Secretary may utilize the
authority provided in subsection (a) if the Secretary
determines, in writing, that--
(1) the concessioner currently holding a valid concession
contract for operations at the North Rim of Grand Canyon
National Park on the date of enactment of this Act is
uniquely positioned to execute one or more procurement
contracts identified under subsection (a) due to the
concessioner's current operational responsibilities, site
access, integration with existing concession infrastructure,
or continuity needs essential to expedited North Rim
recovery; and
(2) use of noncompetitive procedures under subsection (a)
with this concessioner is necessary to ensure public health
and safety, protection of park resources, or continuity of
essential services.
(c) Expiration.--The authority granted under subsection (a)
shall expire on the date that is 7 years after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(d) Relationship to Existing Concession Contract.--Any
procurement action conducted or contract awarded under this
section shall be considered separate from, and shall not
modify, amend, or extend the duration of, or provide any
leasehold surrender interest or other benefit, under a
concession contract issued under section 101913 of title 54,
United States Code, or related authorities.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to--
(1) authorize the award of any concession contract or lease
without full compliance with applicable concession
contracting law; or
(2) prevent the Secretary from using competitive procedures
if the Secretary determines such procedures to be in the best
interest of the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Wittman) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Elfreth)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
[[Page H2522]]
General Leave
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 5729, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5729, the North
Rim Restoration Act, introduced by my friend and colleague
Representative Crane of Arizona.
{time} 1720
Madam Speaker, this vital legislation gives the National Park Service
the streamlined authorities necessary to rebuild and restore one of the
natural wonders of the world and iconic historic structures.
Last year, the Dragon Bravo fire tore through the North Rim of Grand
Canyon National Park, one of the true crown jewels of the National Park
System. The fire burned nearly 150,000 acres of land. It left a deep
mark on the once-peaceful landscape, severely damaging pristine
evergreen forests, decimating wildlife habitat, and destroying more
than 100 buildings and structures.
Among these structures destroyed was the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge,
which millions of visitors had enjoyed visiting for nearly a century.
Since the fire was contained, the North Rim has been partially closed
to visitors.
The year before the fire, over 11 million visitors to Arizona's
national parks contributed $42.2 billion to the State's economy. As
visitor numbers declined after the fire, the ripple effects have been
felt well beyond the North Rim, especially by small businesses and
gateway communities in northern Arizona.
These communities depend on tourism and recreation. Without quick
action, visitor numbers may never rebound, harming small businesses in
rural Arizona for years, even for decades. Representative Crane's bill
offers a bold and decisive solution to this problem. His legislation
provides streamlined, practical recovery tools that will allow the
National Park Service to quickly begin infrastructure rebuilding and
forestry recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Dragon Bravo
fire.
This bill will allow the National Park Service to use temporary
emergency contracting authorities for up to 7 years to quickly hire
highly qualified contractors, allowing them to move at the pace and
scale necessary to repair fire damage, rebuild burned structures, and
conduct essential forest management activities necessary to restore
full access to one of the most visited landscapes in America.
The Grand Canyon is not only a national treasure but also an engine
for local jobs and the outdoor recreation economy. H.R. 5729 is the
right solution at the right time that will ensure the North Rim's much-
needed recovery from the Dragon Bravo fire is not slowed down by
avoidable red tape.
Representative Crane's bill ensures the North Rim can recover to its
full glory. It restores access for millions of American families. It
will support our local communities that rely on park access and a
strong outdoor recreation economy.
I thank Representatives Crane and Tiffany as well as Chairman Gosar
for their collective work on this important effort. I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 5729.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5729, the North Rim Restoration Act,
offered by my colleague Representative Crane of Arizona.
Last summer's devastating Dragon Bravo fire burned nearly 150,000
acres of the Grand Canyon's North Rim, causing irreparable damage to
crucial water infrastructure, well-loved trails, and 106 buildings,
including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
After the fire, safety concerns forced the Park Service and the
nearby Kaibab National Forest to restrict visitor access, effectively
closing the North Rim overnight. The loss of tourism has been
devastating for communities and businesses. The loss for this Nation
cannot be overstated.
Arizona's $29.3 billion tourism economy is fueled by visitors to the
Grand Canyon National Park, with nearly 5 million people visiting this
crown jewel each and every year. Restoring and rebuilding at the North
Rim is a serious priority.
It will take an all-hands-on-deck approach to rebuild the iconic
North Rim lodge to get visitors back to this wonderful landscape.
H.R. 5729 will allow the National Park Service to use expedited
contracting authority to efficiently move projects along as quickly as
possible. However, the single best action we can take is to ensure our
Federal land management agencies have the sustained resources and staff
required to fulfill their mission of wildfire mitigation and ecosystem
restoration, along with the tools necessary.
To recover from tragedies like the Dragon Bravo fire, the seventh
largest fire in Arizona's history, we must fully fund our national
parks, forests, and public land management agencies.
I would be remiss if I didn't point out that most of the emergency
authorities in this bill could have been granted with the stroke of the
President's pen if he had approved an emergency or disaster
declaration. That likely hasn't happened because disaster recovery at
FEMA has been deeply politicized and delayed by this administration.
We can never and should never play politics with rebuilding and
recovery efforts. While I appreciate what this bill will do for the
North Rim rebuild, I urge my colleagues to work with us and collaborate
on the larger issues of staffing, funding, cutting of red tape, and
disaster recovery we are seeing in communities across this country.
Madam Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 5729, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Crane), the lead sponsor of the bill.
Mr. CRANE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the North
Rim Restoration Act of 2025. Last July, a lightning strike ignited the
Dragon Bravo fire, which grew into the seventh largest wildfire in
Arizona's history.
It burned more than 145,000 acres. It destroyed over 100 structures,
including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. It also forced the closure
of the North Rim. The result was great uncertainty for gateway
communities whose livelihoods depend on a steady flow of visitors.
In the days and months during and after the fire, I traveled to the
region to meet with park staff, local employers, and community leaders.
Each conversation revealed different consequences of the disaster, but
one concern came up repeatedly: the layers of bureaucracy threatening
to slow recovery and prolong economic hardship.
Families and workers cannot wait years for the infrastructure and
housing needed to bring the North Rim back to life. That is why I
worked closely with local stakeholders to draft the North Rim
Restoration Act of 2025. This bill gives the Department of the Interior
emergency contracting authority for all recovery efforts from the
Dragon Bravo fire.
This is a bipartisan approach that would minimize unnecessary delays.
At the same time, it preserves community input, environmental
standards, and mandatory reporting every 180 days to ensure
transparency, accountability, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Although last year's July 4 lightning strike brought months of
hardship to the region, we now have a chance to restore this iconic
destination as we honor America's 250th anniversary.
Passage of this bill sends a clear message to every visitor, worker,
and family who cherishes the North Rim. This place will not fade into
memory. It will endure as a living legacy.
As I prepare to close, I thank the Coconino County Board of
Supervisors, Chairman Westerman, and everyone who has played a role in
advancing this legislation. As a result of their dedication and
persistence, we are on the verge of securing House passage just 5
months since introduction.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this effort and help
ensure a full and timely recovery.
Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
critical and timely piece of legislation.
[[Page H2523]]
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Crane for his thoughtful and aggressive
efforts to make sure we can restore the Grand Canyon National Park to
its former glory and for his work in highlighting the incredible stress
that this places on the communities there.
I thank him, too, for offering this legislation at a key point to
make sure that the right things happen so that people in his district
can indeed get back to what they know is highlighting a great, great
national treasure.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 5729 gives the National Park Service limited
accountable authorities to expedite the restoration and rebuilding
process following last year's Dragon Bravo fire so that the treasured
North Rim of the Grand Canyon can fully reopen and do so safely.
I thank Representative Crane once again for his leadership on this
effort and for his insightfulness. I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5729, 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.
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