[Senate Report 106-66]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 136
106th Congress Report
SENATE
1st Session 106-66
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LOESS HILLS PRESERVATION STUDY ACT OF 1999
_______
June 7, 1999.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 776]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was
referred the bill (S. 776) to authorize the National Park
Service to conduct a feasibility study for the preservation of
the Loess Hills in western Iowa, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with amendments and recommends that
the bill, as amended, do pass.
The amendments are as follows:
1. On page 3, line 6, following the words ``conduct a'',
insert the words ``suitability and''.
2. On page 5, line 3, insert the words ``not to exceed''
after the word ``Act''.
purpose of the measure
The purpose of S. 776 is to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility
of designating the Loess Hills in western Iowa as a unit of the
National Park System, or such other appropriate designation, to
protect and preserve the area's natural, cultural, and historic
resources.
background and need
The Loess Hills of western Iowa form a distinctive
topographic region that extends in a narrow band along the
eastern border of the Missouri River valley from the Missouri
state line to the Plymouth County area north of Sioux City.
Loess is a wind-deposited sediment composed predominantly of
silt-sized quartz grains. The deposits are as thick as 200
feet. Only in China are Loess deposits as thick as the Iowa
deposits. Therefore, the Loess Hills represent the best example
of loess topography in the United States. Two sites in the
Loess Hills were designated ``National Natural Landmarks'' in
1985. The Turin site contains 7,440 acres and the Little Sioux/
Smith Lake site contains 2,980 acres. The Turin site contains
the largest expanse of undisturbed prairie in Iowa and the
Little Sioux/Smith Lake site is associated with a long history
of scientific study of loess deposits.
The Iowa State Legislature, the Governor and the Loess
Hills Alliance are all interested and supportive of efforts to
preserve the area. On March 5, 1999 the Alliance adopted bylaws
for the creation of a nonprofit organization to protect special
natural and cultural resources while ensuring economic
viability of the region through the creation of a common vision
for Iowa's Loess Hills.
legislative history
S. 776 was introduced by Senator Grassley and Senator
Harkin on April 13, 1999. On April 15, 1999 the Subcommittee on
National Parks, Historic Preservation and Recreation held a
hearing on the following two bills regarding the Loess Hills in
western Iowa:
(1) S. 589, a bill to require the National Park
Service to undertake a study of the Loess Hills area in
western Iowa to review options for the protection and
interpretation of the area's natural, cultural, and
historical resources, introduced by Senator Harkin; and
(2) S. 591, a bill to authorize a feasibility study
for the preservation of the Loess Hills in western
Iowa, introduced by Senator Grassley.
Both bills are similar to S. 776.
At its business meeting on May 19, 1999, the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 776, favorably
reported, as amended.
committee recommendation
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open
business session on May 19, 1999, by a unanimous voice vote of
a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 776, as
amended as described herein.
committee amendment
The amendment made two technical and conforming changes to
the bill.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1 designates the bill's short title as the ``Loess
Hills Preservation Study Act of 1999''.
Section 2 lists the findings which state the Loess Hills
encompasses 600,000 acres in western Iowa; the area is the
largest Loess formation in the United States and one of the two
largest in the world; portions remain undeveloped and protect
and preserve an historic, rare and unique natural resource; a
program to study the area can only be successful with the
cooperation and participation of local governments and
landowners; the Loess Hills area was designated a National
Natural Landmark in 1986; increasing development threatens the
future stability and integrity of the area; and the Loess Hills
area merits further study by the National Park Service, in
cooperation with the State of Iowa, local governments and
affected landowners. The purpose is to authorize the Secretary
of the Interior to conduct a suitability and feasibility study
to determine what measures should be taken.
Section 3 defines key terms used in the bill.
Section 4 (a) directs the Secretary to undertake a study of
the Loess Hills area to review options for the protection and
interpretation of the area's natural, cultural and historical
resources. The study must include an analysis of the
suitability and feasibility of designating the area as: a unit
of the National Park System, a National Heritage Area or
Heritage Corridor or such other designation as may be
appropriate.
Subsection (b) states that the study is to examine the
appropriateness and feasibility of cooperative protection and
interpretive efforts between the United States, the State, its
political subdivisions, and non-profit groups and interested
parties.
Subsection (c) requires the Secretary to consult with State
and local government entities, affected landowners and other
interested public and private organizations and individuals.
Subsection (d) requires the study to be completed within
one year after funds are made available. Within 30 days of its
completion, a report of the study, along with recommendations,
is to be sent to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee and the House of Representatives Committee on
Resources.
Section 5 authorizes funds not to exceed $275,000 to carry
out the purposes of this Act.
Cost and Budgetary Considerations
The following estimate of costs of this measure has been
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 25, 1999.
Hon. Frank H. Murkowski,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 776, the Loess Hills
Preservation Study Act of 1999.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact for this
estimate is Deborah Reis.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
S. 776--Loess Hills Preservation Study Act of 1999
S. 776 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to
conduct a study of options to protect and interpret the Loess
Hills area of Iowa. The study would analyze the suitability and
feasibility of establishing the area as a unit of the National
Park System (NPS), a National Heritage Area or Heritage
Corridor, or other similar designation. The bill would
authorize the appropriation of up to $275,000 to conduct the
study, and it would require the Secretary to report on its
findings and recommendations within one year of receiving
funds.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amount, CBO
estimates that implementing S. 776 would cost the federal
government $275,000 over the next year to complete the required
study and report. The bill would not affect direct spending or
receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.
S. 776 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates
as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would have
no significant impact on the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis.
The estimate was approved by Paul N. Van de Water, Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
regulatory impact evaluation
In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in
carrying out S. 776. The bill is not a regulatory measure in
the sense of imposing Government-established standards of
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals
and businesses.
No personal information would be collected in administering
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal
privacy.
Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from
enactment of S. 776, as ordered reported.
executive communications
At the Subcommittee hearing a representative from the
National Park Service testified in support of S. 589 and S.
591. Both bills are similar to S. 776. The Department's
testimony follows:
Statement of Katherine H. Stevenson, Associate Director, Cultural
Resource Stewardship and Partnerships, National Park Service, U.S.
Department of the Interior
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present the
views of the Department of the Interior on S. 589, a bill to
provide for a study of the Loess Hills in western Iowa to
review options for the protection and interpretation of the
area's natural, cultural, and historical resources, and S. 591,
which would also authorize a feasibility study for the
preservation of the Loess Hills in western Iowa. The National
Park Service supports the purposes of both bills. We support S.
589 as drafted. With respect to S. 591, we would be pleased to
work with the Subcommittee to provide technical and clarifying
amendments.
Both S. 589 and S. 591 would authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to undertake a study of the Loess Hills, which range
across six counties in western Iowa. A study would determine
whether the areas are suitable and feasible to become a new
addition to the National Park Service and would explore a
partnership of non-Federal options for the protection and
interpretation of the area's resources.
Loess is a wind-deposited sediment composed predominantly
of silt-sized quartz grains derived from desert surfaces,
alluvial valleys, or glacial outwash plains. Colder winter
temperatures caused a seasonal reduction in meltwater discharge
that enabled prevailing westerly winds to lift the exposed
outwash sediments into great clouds of dust and carry the finer
material eastward. Subsequent erosion of this unusual
accumulation of loess has created a unique landscape
reminiscent of the badlands. The deposits of quartz silt that
compose the hills are loosely compacted and porous, light in
weight, and quite cohesive when dry. Nearly vertical slopes are
maintained where the hills are deeply eroded. A striking
feature of many steeper slopes is uniform, step-like terraces,
known as ``catsteps,'' which appear to result from repeated
downslope soil movement.
Iowa's Loess Hills, which form a distinctive topographic
region that extends in a narrow band along the eastern border
of the Missouri River valley from the Missouri state line to
the Plymouth County area north of Sioux City, are unique in
this nation. Hills of this type can be found in only one other
country in the world, that being the Republic of China. In
recognition of their national significance, a portion of the
Loess Hills in Monona and Harrison counties was designated as a
National Natural Landmark in 1985. The Loess Hills represent
the best example of loess topography not only in the Central
Lowlands Natural Region, but also in the United States.
In past years, the National Park Service has created its
own priority list for special resources studies and the Loess
Hills have been included as a priority for study. In accordance
with Public Law 105-391, the National Park Service recently
presented a priority list of studies to Congress for its
consideration. This list includes the Loess Hills.
Secretary Babbitt personally visited the Loess Hills last
year and agrees with the Park Service's long-standing position
that this area merits study to identify the best way to protect
this unique area.
Since 1996, the agency's Rivers and Trails Conservation
Assistance Program (RTCA) has been working with local units of
government and interest groups to develop a scenic by-way
system in the Loess Hills. RTCA has agreed to assist the Loess
Hills Alliance in a series of public meetings to discuss a
variety of protection techniques for the area, including
options that do not involve Federal or State ownership or
management. These efforts will enable us to be fully inclusive
of these partners in carrying out the study as proposed in S.
589.
This completes my statement. I will be pleased to answer
any questions you or other members of the Subcommittee may
have.
Changes in Existing law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no
changes in existing law are made by S. 776, as ordered
reported.