[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16939-16940]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   SANTA ROSA AND SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS NATIONAL MONUMENT ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, 
H.R. 3676, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument 
Act.
  Congress has an opportunity to enact legislation which was originated 
by the constituents of California's 44th Congressional District. When 
these residents came to see me and suggested that I introduce 
legislation to designate our local mountains a National Monument, I 
decided it was an idea worth pursuing.
  For years, my family has enjoyed these scenic wonders and 
recreational opportunities that are abundant in this remarkable range. 
I have often hiked the canyons and hills above our home in Palm 
Springs, sharing with my children, Chianna and Chesare, the beauty of 
an ecosystem that continues to thrive despite its close proximity to a 
highly urbanized community. I have developed a profound respect for the 
people who, over the past century, have served as stewards of these 
lands. They have done a remarkable job in balancing the preservation of 
these mountains with the inevitable development that has occurred in 
Southern California.
  It is appropriate that we also recall the original caretakers of this 
land, the Cahuilla people. For centuries, the Agua Caliente Band of 
Cahuilla Indians made the canyons and hills above Palm Springs their 
home. And the Cahuilla people roamed throughout the desert and 
mountains of this entire region living in harmony with this unique 
environment. Their culture and heritage is an integral part of the 
history of this region. And even today, the Indian Canyons near Palm 
Springs offer a welcome respite from the hectic pace of the urban areas 
of the Coachella Valley.
  One of the tangible benefits that will be derived from this Monument 
designation is the preservation of tribal lands and historic artifacts. 
The Agua Caliente Tribe has been a partner in this process from the 
start, and I want to thank the Tribal Council and all the Cahuilla 
people for their support of this legislation.
  In crafting this bill, I was confronted with a challenge to balance 
traditional uses and private property rights that the people of the 
region enjoy with the need to preserve these mountain vistas.
  The intention of H.R. 3676 is not to diminish the decisionmaking 
authority of Local Government (City, County, Water District, School 
District, etc.,) over land use decisions on private property located 
next to or inside the boundary of the proposed Santa Rosa and San 
Jacinto National Monument.
  The bill provides that ``nothing in the legislation shall be 
construed as affecting any private property rights within the 
boundaries of the National Monument''. Therefore, if a local City or 
County has a General Plan designation on property within the Monument 
boundary, for urban land uses such as hotel, resort, golf course or 
residential uses, then the legislative intent of Local Government shall 
not be changed, modified or impeded solely by this Federal Law.
  H.R. 3676 has eliminated the concept of buffer zones or protective 
perimeters around the boundary of the proposed National Monument. This 
elimination of buffer zones is designed to protect private lands 
located both on the outside and inside of Monument boundaries. The 
intent is to protect private land nearby and within the boundary from 
any form of Federal Monument regulation by this Congress or the Federal 
Administration. The right to use private land by private land owners is 
paramount in H.R. 3676.
  This bill's intent would not allow any federal administrative agency 
the existence of this proposed Monument to exact mitigation, money or 
other land use restrictions on private lands, directly or indirectly. 
The regulation of land use and authority over private lands inside or 
near to the Monument boundaries is solely vested in Local Government 
and is totally outside the purview of this bill.
  In addition, I would like to emphasize that no existing Federal law 
or Federal Agency governing air quality, water quality or any other 
regulated resource shall seek to regulate or affect local land use 
control over private land near to or inside the Monument with any 
reference to a negative impact on this proposed National Monument by 
virtue of impacts on the above mentioned regulated resources.
  So, we returned to the fundamental concept of how our system of 
government should work. I went directly to the people of the 44th 
district and sought their participation and input on how best to draft 
legislation that would reflect their commitment to both environmental 
preservation and private property rights protection. The result of 
their efforts is contained in the bill before you today.
  Mr. Speaker, the best way our constituents can be heard on matters 
such as these is if Congress, not the Administration, takes this 
action. With all due respect to those who serve in Washington, the 
people who live in this area know better than any federal worker how to 
resolve these issues. Therefore, it was encouraging that early on, the 
Secretary of the

[[Page 16940]]

Interior took a personal interest in this effort and publicly supported 
the Congressional process as the preferred vehicle for this 
designation. I thank the Secretary and Bureau of Land Management 
offices out of Washington, Sacramento and Palm Springs for working with 
me on this issue.
  With this bill, we are able to protect private property rights with 
strong buffer zone language, willing seller provisions and clearly 
worded access language. And we are able to further protect these 
mountains by prohibiting future withdrawals, curbing motorized vehicle 
use and controlling cattle grazing.
  I have said many times that I would not go forth with a bill which 
does not protect the rights of those individuals who live within the 
proposed boundary lines and those who live right at the foot of the 
mountains. This bill strikes an appropriate balance by protecting the 
rights of affected constituents as well as these unique mountains. I 
wish to thank Chairman Hansen and his able staff, Allen Freemyer and 
Tod Hull, for assisting me in this process so that I could achieve this 
balance.
  In addition, I would like to thank the Coachella Valley Mountains 
Conservancy under the direction of Bill Havert, the Desert Chapter of 
the Building Industry Association and its Executive Director Ed Kibbey 
and the local branch of the Sierra Club and its head, Joan Taylor.
  Too often, environmentalists and private property rights advocates 
are at odds with one another. In my heart, I believe that we can work 
to achieve the goals of each group for the betterment of all. It may be 
the more difficult course to chose, but one well worth taking. So, I 
would also like to thank my many colleagues, my Legislative Director, 
Linda Valter and the rest of my staff who have helped me along this 
way.
  Mr. Speaker, as a child, my parents drove our family all over this 
wonderful country, visiting National Parks and awe inspiring lands 
throughout the West. Now, my constituents have given me the opportunity 
to do something that will allow future families the same privilege. I 
hope you will all join me to achieve this worthy goal.

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