[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11078-11079]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 265) to provide for an adjustment of the boundaries of Mount 
Rainier National Park, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 265

       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 ``Mount Rainier National Park 
     Boundary Adjustment Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Carbon River watershed within Pierce County in the 
     State of Washington has unique qualities of ecological, 
     economic, and educational importance, including clean water, 
     productive salmon streams, important wildlife habitat, active 
     geologic processes, outdoor recreational opportunities, 
     scenic beauty, educational opportunities, and diverse 
     economic opportunities.
       (2) Mount Rainier National Park is one of the premier 
     attractions in the State of Washington, providing 
     recreational, educational, and economic opportunities that 
     will be enhanced by the construction of new campgrounds and 
     visitor contact facilities in the Carbon River valley outside 
     old-growth forest habitats and above the flood plain.
       (3) Coordination of management across national forest and 
     national park lands in this corridor will enhance the 
     conservation of the forest ecosystem and public enjoyment of 
     these public lands.
       (4) Protection and development of historic and recreational 
     facilities in the Carbon River valley, such as trails and 
     visitor centers, can be facilitated by the National Park 
     Service.

     SEC. 3. MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.

       (a) Boundary Adjustment.--The boundary of Mount Rainier 
     National Park is modified to include the area within the 
     boundary generally depicted on the map entitled ``Mount 
     Rainier National Park, Carbon River Boundary Adjustment'', 
     numbered 105/92,002B, and dated June 2003. The Secretary of 
     the Interior shall keep the map on file in the appropriate 
     offices of the National Park Service.
       (b) Land Acquisition.--The Secretary of the Interior may 
     acquire, only with the consent of the owner, by donation, 
     purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange--
       (1) land or interests in land, totaling not more than 800 
     acres, and improvements thereon within the boundary generally 
     depicted on the map referred to in subsection (a) for 
     development of camping and other recreational facilities; and
       (2) land or interests in land, totaling not more than one 
     acre, and improvements thereon in the vicinity of Wilkeson, 
     Washington, for a facility to serve visitors to public lands 
     along the Carbon and Mowich Corridors.
       (c) Administration of Acquired Lands.--Lands acquired under 
     this section shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
     Interior as part of Mount Rainier National Park in accordance 
     with applicable laws and regulations.

     SEC. 4. ASSOCIATED LANDS.

       The Secretary of Agriculture shall manage that portion of 
     the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest lying adjacent to 
     Mt. Rainier National Park, as identified on the map referred 
     to

[[Page 11079]]

     in section 3(a), to maintain the area's natural setting in a 
     manner consistent with its management as of June 1, 2003.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 265, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 265, introduced by the gentlewoman from Washington 
(Ms. Dunn) and amended by the Committee on Resources, would authorize 
the Secretary of the Interior to adjust the boundary of the Mount 
Rainier National Park by creating a new noncontiguous unit to the park. 
The new area would provide for improved camping opportunities near the 
northwest entrance of the park, while ensuring continued access for the 
Muckleshoot Tribe to nearby U.S. Forest Service lands.
  Today, the only road leading to the current popular campgrounds in 
the northwestern portion of the park continues to be flooded out by the 
Carbon River. I believe this bill represents a commonsense solution to 
this ongoing problem.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 265, as amended, is supported by both the majority 
and minority members of the committee, as well as the Muckleshoot Tribe 
and the National Park Service. I commend the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Dunn) for her tireless efforts to work with all parties 
concerned to reach the consensus that is before us on the House floor 
today.
  That said, Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the majority has adequately explained this piece of 
legislation.
  I would simply note that H.R. 265, as amended, represents a 
cooperative effort among the bill's sponsors, the Committee on 
Resources and the National Park Service and the Forest Service.
  The bill, as amended, is a workable solution to the resource 
management needs in the area, and we support the adoption of this 
legislation by the House today.
  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 265, The Mount Rainier Boundary 
Adjustment Act of 2003, will allow the National Park Service to 
relocate a popular campground that has limited access as the result of 
road damage caused by years of reoccurring floods. The road to Ipsut 
Creek Campground in Mount Rainier National Park is now located below 
the level of the Carbon River in many areas. Due to frequent road 
washouts, it can be difficult--if not impossible--for visitors and 
residents to drive safely to the campground.
  There have been numerous attempts to repair this road--but, 
unfortunately, it continues to wash out. Previous road reconstruction 
after flooding has cost $750,000.
  The road to the campground serves as one of the most primitive and 
popular entrances into Mount Rainier Park and leads to a temperate 
rainforest within the park as well as the beautiful Carbon Glacier.
  This boundary adjustment will allow for the purchase of approximately 
800 acres of private land just outside the park, allowing the 
campground to be moved to a more secure area and providing safe travel 
to the site. All of the private landowners are willing sellers, and 
this vital project is currently included in the National Park Service 
Management Plan. It has the strong support of the local residents, the 
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and numerous conservation organizations.
  The Congressional Budget Office released a favorable estimate for 
this project--stating that this act will have no significant impact on 
the budgets of State, local, or tribal governments. In addition, the 
CBO found that annual maintenance spending at Mount Rainier will not 
notably increase, ensuring that the Park will not have to assume 
additional, costly responsibilities.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 265 has broad, bi-partisan support and is a 
critical priority not only for ensuring safe travel to the Carbon River 
area of Mount Rainier Park, but for providing a permanent solution to 
an expensive, on-going maintenance problem for our Park personnel.
  I would like to thank Chairman Radanovich on the National Parks 
Subcommittee, as well as Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall on 
the full Resources Committee for their help and support in bringing 
this legislation to the floor for consideration. I would also like to 
thank the majority and minority staff on the Resources Committee for 
their work.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to help 
ensure safe travel in one of our Nation's most visited and well-loved 
National Parks.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time and urge a favorable vote on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 265, 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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