[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16145-16147]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT OF 2000

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2833) to establish the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2833

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Yuma 
     Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000''.
       (b) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
     Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area established in section 
     3.
       (2) Management entity.--The term ``management entity'' 
     shall mean the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Board of 
     Directors referred to section 3(c).
       (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' shall 
     mean the management plan for the Yuma Crossing National 
     Heritage Area.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Certain events that led to the establishment of the 
     Yuma Crossing as a natural crossing place on the Colorado 
     River and to its development as an important landmark in 
     America's westward expansion during the mid-19th century are 
     of national historic and cultural significance in terms of 
     their contribution to the development of the new United 
     States of America.
       (2) It is in the national interest to promote, preserve, 
     and protect physical remnants of a community with almost 500 
     years of recorded history which has outstanding cultural, 
     historic, and architectural value for the education and 
     benefit of present and future generations.
       (3) The designation of the Yuma Crossing as a national 
     heritage area would preserve Yuma's history and provide 
     related educational opportunities, provide recreational 
     opportunities, preserve natural resources, and improve the 
     city and county of Yuma's ability to serve visitors and 
     enhance the local economy through the completion of the major 
     projects identified within the Yuma Crossing National 
     Heritage Area.
       (4) The Department of the Interior is responsible for 
     protecting the Nation's cultural and historic resources. 
     There are significant examples of these resources within the 
     Yuma region to merit the involvement of the Federal 
     Government in developing programs and projects, in 
     cooperation with the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and 
     other local and governmental bodies, to adequately conserve, 
     protect, and interpret this heritage for future generations 
     while providing opportunities for education, revitalization, 
     and economic development.
       (5) The city of Yuma, the Arizona State Parks Board, 
     agencies of the Federal Government, corporate entities, and 
     citizens have completed a study and master plan for the Yuma 
     Crossing to determine the extent of its historic resources, 
     preserve and interpret these historic resources, and assess 
     the opportunities available to enhance the cultural 
     experience for region's visitors and residents.
       (6) The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Board of 
     Directors would be an appropriate management entity for a 
     heritage area established in the region.
       (b) Purpose.--The objectives of the Yuma Crossing National 
     Heritage Area are as follows:
       (1) To recognize the role of the Yuma Crossing in the 
     development of the United States, with particular emphasis on 
     the roll of the crossing as an important landmark in the 
     westward expansion during the mid-19th century.
       (2) To promote, interpret, and develop the physical and 
     recreational resources of the communities surrounding the 
     Yuma Crossing, which has almost 500 years of recorded history 
     and outstanding cultural, historic, and architectural assets, 
     for the education and benefit of present and future 
     generations.
       (3) To foster a close working relationship with all levels 
     of government, the private sector, and the local communities 
     in the Yuma community and empower the community to conserve 
     its heritage while continuing to pursue economic 
     opportunities.
       (4) To provide recreational opportunities for visitors to 
     the Yuma Crossing and preserve natural resources within the 
     Heritage Area.
       (5) To improve the Yuma region's ability to serve visitors 
     and enhance the local economy through the completion of the 
     major projects identified within the Heritage Area.

     SEC. 3. YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Yuma 
     Crossing National Heritage Area.
       (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall be comprised of 
     those portions of the Yuma region totaling approximately 21 
     square miles, encompassing over 150 identified historic, 
     geologic, and cultural resources, and bounded--
       (1) on the west, by the Colorado River (including the 
     crossing point of the Army of the West);
       (2) on the east, by Avenue 7E;
       (3) on the north, by the Colorado River; and
       (4) on the south, by the 12th Street alignment.
       (c) Management Entity.--The management entity for the 
     Heritage Area shall be the Yuma Crossing National Heritage 
     Area Board of Directors which shall include representatives 
     from a broad cross-section of the individuals, agencies, 
     organizations, and governments that were involved in the 
     planning and development of the Heritage Area before the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 4. COMPACT.

       (a) In General.--To carry out the purposes of this Act, the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall enter into a compact with the 
     management entity.
       (b) Components of Compact.--The compact shall include 
     information relating to the objectives and management of the 
     Heritage Area, including each of the following:
       (1) A discussion of the goals and objects of the Heritage 
     Area.
       (2) An explanation of the proposed approach to conservation 
     and interpretation of the Heritage Area.
       (3) A general outline of the protection measures to which 
     the management entity commits.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF MANAGEMENT 
                   ENTITY.

       (a) Authorities of the Management Entity.--The management 
     entity may, for purposes of preparing and implementing the 
     management plan, use funds made available through this Act 
     for the following:
       (1) To make grants to, and enter into cooperative 
     agreements with, States and their political subdivisions, 
     private organizations, or any person.
       (2) To hire and compensate staff.
       (3) To enter into contracts for goods and services.
       (b) Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Taking into consideration existing State, 
     county, and local plans, the management entity shall develop 
     a management plan for the Heritage Area.
       (2) Contents.--The management plan required by this 
     subsection shall include--
       (A) comprehensive recommendations for conservation, 
     funding, management, and development of the Heritage Area;
       (B) actions to be undertaken by units of government and 
     private organizations to protect the resources of the 
     Heritage Area;
       (C) a list of specific existing and potential sources of 
     funding to protect, manage, and develop the Heritage Area;
       (D) an inventory of the resources contained in the Heritage 
     Area, including a list of any property in the Heritage Area 
     that is related to the themes of the Heritage Area and that 
     should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or 
     maintained because of its natural, cultural, historic, 
     recreational, or scenic significance;
       (E) a recommendation of policies for resource management 
     which considers and details application of appropriate land 
     and water management techniques, including the development of 
     intergovernmental cooperative agreements to protect the 
     historical, cultural, recreational, and natural resources of 
     the Heritage Area in a manner consistent with supporting 
     appropriate and compatible economic viability;
       (F) a program for implementation of the management plan by 
     the management entity, including plans for restoration and 
     construction, and specific commitments of the identified 
     partners for the first 5 years of operation;
       (G) an analysis of ways in which local, State, and Federal 
     programs may best be coordinated to promote the purposes of 
     this Act; and
       (H) an interpretation plan for the Heritage Area.
       (3) Submission to secretary.--The management entity shall 
     submit the management plan to the Secretary for approval not 
     later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
     If a management plan is not submitted to the Secretary as 
     required within the specified time, the Heritage Area shall 
     no longer qualify for Federal funding.
       (c) Duties of Management Entity.--In addition to its duties 
     under subsection (b), the management entity shall--

[[Page 16146]]

       (1) give priority to implementing actions set forth in the 
     compact and management plan, including steps to assist units 
     of government, regional planning organizations, and nonprofit 
     organizations in preserving the Heritage Area;
       (2) assist units of government, regional planning 
     organizations, and nonprofit organizations with--
       (A) establishing and maintaining interpretive exhibits in 
     the Heritage Area;
       (B) developing recreational resources in the Heritage Area;
       (C) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the 
     natural, historical, and architectural resources and sites in 
     the Heritage Area;
       (D) restoring any historic building relating to the themes 
     of the Heritage Area; and
       (E) ensuring that clear, consistent, and environmentally 
     appropriate signs identifying access points and sites of 
     interest are put in place throughout the Heritage Area;
       (3) encourage, by appropriate means, economic viability in 
     the Heritage Area consistent with the goals of the management 
     plan;
       (4) encourage local governments to adopt land use policies 
     consistent with the management of the Heritage Area and the 
     goals of the management plan;
       (5) consider the interests of diverse governmental, 
     business, and nonprofit groups within the Heritage Area;
       (6) conduct public meetings at least quarterly regarding 
     the implementation of the management plan; and
       (7) for any year in which Federal funds have been received 
     under this Act, make available for audit all records 
     pertaining to the expenditure of such funds and any matching 
     funds, and require, for all agreements authorizing 
     expenditure of Federal funds by other organizations, that the 
     receiving organizations make available for audit all records 
     pertaining to the expenditure of such funds.
       (d) Prohibition on the Acquisition of Real Property.--The 
     management entity may not use Federal funds received under 
     this Act to acquire real property or an interest in real 
     property. Nothing in this Act shall preclude any management 
     entity from using Federal funds from other sources for their 
     permitted purposes.
       (e) Spending for Non-Federally Owned Property.--The 
     management entity may spend Federal funds directly on non-
     federally owned property to further the purposes of this Act, 
     especially in assisting units of government in appropriate 
     treatment of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and 
     objects listed or eligible for listing on the National 
     Register of Historic Places.

     SEC. 6. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

       (a) Technical and Financial Assistance.--The Secretary may, 
     upon request of the management entity, provide technical and 
     financial assistance to the management entity to develop and 
     implement the management plan. In assisting the management 
     entity, the Secretary shall give priority to actions that in 
     general assist in--
       (1) conserving the significant natural, historic, and 
     cultural resources which support the themes of the Heritage 
     Area; and
       (2) providing educational, interpretive, and recreational 
     opportunities consistent with resources and associated values 
     of the Heritage Area.
       (b) Approval and Disapproval of Management Plan.--The 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Yuma Crossing National 
     Heritage Area Board of Directors, shall approve or disapprove 
     the management plan submitted under this Act not later than 
     90 days after receiving such management plan.
       (c) Action Following Disapproval.--If the Secretary 
     disapproves a submitted compact or management plan, the 
     Secretary shall advise the management entity in writing of 
     the reasons therefor and shall make recommendations for 
     revisions in the management plan. The Secretary shall approve 
     or disapprove a proposed revision within 90 days after the 
     date it is submitted.
       (d) Approving Amendments.--The Secretary shall review 
     substantial amendments to the management plan for the 
     Heritage Area. Funds appropriated pursuant to this Act may 
     not be expended to implement the changes made by such 
     amendments until the Secretary approves the amendments.
       (e) Documentation.--Subject to the availability of funds, 
     the Historic American Building Survey/Historic American 
     Engineering Record shall conduct those studies necessary to 
     document the cultural, historic, architectural, and natural 
     resources of the Heritage Area.

     SEC. 7. SUNSET.

       The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any 
     assistance under this Act after September 30, 2015.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     under this Act not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
     Not more than a total of $10,000,000 may be appropriated for 
     the Heritage Area under this Act.
       (b) 50 Percent Match.--Federal funding provided under this 
     Act, after the designation of the Heritage Area, may not 
     exceed 50 percent of the total cost of any assistance or 
     grant provided or authorized under this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2833 sponsored by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Pastor) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Yuma 
Crossing National Heritage Area. This bill would serve to protect and 
conserve the historic elements located in the Yuma community.
  Its purpose would be to further educational, recreational, and 
economic opportunities of the region. The bill also provides for 
measures which preserve the historic features of the Yuma Crossing.
  The Yuma Crossing was the national crossing place for the Colorado 
River. This geographic feature eventually led Yuma to become the 
epicenter of America's westward expansion during the mid-19th century. 
The area hosts many cultural, historic, and architectural resources.
  The management of the national heritage area is to be conducted by 
the Secretary and the management entity known as Yuma Crossing National 
Heritage Area Board of Directors. The management entity is to develop a 
comprehensive plan that supports the goals and operations of the 
heritage area and to work directly with the Secretary in the 
implementation of this plan. This is supported on a bipartisan basis, 
and I commend the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Pastor) for his efforts 
to preserve and enhance the Yuma area.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2833, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2833 introduced by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Pastor), our friend and colleague, would establish the Yuma Crossing 
National Heritage Area in Yuma, Arizona. Yuma's location as a natural 
crossing point of the Colorado River has drawn man to the area since 
ancient times; and as such, there is a long history associated with the 
area.
  At the hearing on the bill before the Committee on Resources, our 
colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Pastor), and the other 
supporters of the legislation spoke of the historical and cultural 
heritage of the Yuma area and of their enthusiasm and commitment to a 
heritage area designation.
  While the legislation was similar in form to other bills the 
committee has considered regarding the designation of heritage areas, 
the National Park Service testified that several changes needed to be 
made to conform the bill to other heritage designations.
  The Committee on Resources adopted an amendment that reflected the 
changes to the bill requested by the National Park Service. We believe 
those changes improve the legislation and support the bill, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Arizona (Mr. Pastor).
  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Utah (Chairman Hansen) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. 
Romero-Barcelo), the ranking member; and the gentleman from Alaska 
(Chairman Young), the full committee chairman; and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member; for bringing this 
bill on the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation and ask 
that the House support the efforts of the entire Yuma community to 
designate the Yuma Crossing as a national heritage area. I want to 
assure this body that the entire area is united behind the principles 
of this legislation.
  More than 60 years before the European settlement in Jamestown, 
Virginia, and more than 80 years, before the pilgrims landed at 
Plymouth Rock, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado marched across 
southeastern Arizona in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. To 
supply Coronado's expedition, Captain Hernando de Alarcon commanded 
three ships through the Gulf of California into the mouth of the 
Colorado River.

[[Page 16147]]

  The Spanish explorer Hernando de Alarcon became the first European to 
venture into what is now the southwest portions of the United States 
just below the confluence of the Colorado River and the Gila River. 
There they made use of a geological formation in the lower Colorado, 
consisting of two massive granite outcroppings known to us today as 
Yuma Crossing.
  Alarcon's voyage is the first European discovery of the Colorado 
River, and the Crossing has become a natural bridge which played an 
important role in the western settlement of the United States.
  Father Eusebio Francisco Kino mapped supply routes to California 
through the Yuma Crossing, a route that would be used in many other 
expeditions and used by many colonists. Using the knowledge pioneered 
by Father Kino, more than 200 settlers and herds of livestock crossed 
the treacherous Colorado River using the Yuma Crossing.
  Anza, another famous Spanish explorer, crossed the Colorado at this 
point. He traveled westward to cross the desert to San Gabriel and then 
turned north and established the community of San Francisco in 1776.
  Kit Carson traveled the Yuma Crossing as he carried dispatches 
between California and New Mexico to report on the United States' 
successful military conquest of California in the war with Mexico in 
1846. It was during the war with Mexico that Lieutenant Colonel Phillip 
St. George Cooke used the Yuma Crossing to establish the Gila Trail, 
that became a passageway used by California's gold seekers, by 
pioneers, by ranchers, farmers, and the military.
  Yuma Crossing quickly became a strategic military location following 
the Mexican war. Settlers and the Quechan Indians fought for the rights 
to hold ferry operations across the Colorado. In 1852, Fort Yuma was 
established to keep the peace between the settlers and the Quechans.
  In addition to its importance, Yuma has become a major port town and 
transportation hub. Steamboats were used to freight supplies, as well 
as stagecoach and camel caravans were used to transport supplies. But 
as Yuma grew, more sophisticated modes of transportation were demanded, 
the outgrowth of which resulted in the development of the Southern 
Pacific Railroad. With the establishment of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad, Yuma established itself as a major connecting point in the 
westward expansion of our country.
  Today, the city of Yuma has a population of 70,000 residents, the 
third largest city in Arizona. Along with its importance in the 
development of the West, there is a combination of arid desert 
landscapes, rugged mountains and wetlands that is the natural 
environment for this area which we want to preserve.
  Designating Yuma Crossing as a national heritage area will preserve 
Yuma's early heritage and highlight Yuma Crossing's importance to 
opening the American West to exploration and settlement.

                              {time}  1645

  The designation will also serve to preserve and protect its vital 
wildlife habitats and wetland areas. Yuma Crossing is a vital link in 
our Nation's heritage, and it is for these reasons that I proudly 
introduce this legislation that will designate Yuma Crossing as a 
national heritage area. I urge the House to support preserving an 
important part of our Southwestern heritage.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I compliment my friend from Arizona on the good work he 
has done on this bill to get it to this point. He has done a yeoman's 
job on it, and it is a good piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues 
to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2833, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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