[House Report 108-361]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 108-361
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ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT
_______
November 17, 2003.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Pombo, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1594]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 1594) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct
a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the
St. Croix National Heritage Area in St. Croix, United States
Virgin Islands, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend
that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``St. Croix
National Heritage Area Study Act''.
(b) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with
appropriate State historic preservation officers, States historical
societies, and other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a study
regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating the island of
St. Croix as the St. Croix National Heritage Area. The study shall
include analysis, documentation, and determination regarding whether
the island of St. Croix--
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of
American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation,
interpretation, and continuing use, and are best managed
through partnerships among public and private entities and by
combining diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and
active communities;
(2) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,
historic, cultural, or scenic features;
(3) provides outstanding recreational and educational
opportunities;
(4) contains resources important to the identified theme or
themes of the island of St. Croix that retain a degree of
integrity capable of supporting interpretation;
(5) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit
organizations, and local and State governments that are
involved in the planning, have developed a conceptual financial
plan that outlines the roles of all participants (including the
Federal Government), and have demonstrated support for the
concept of a national heritage area;
(6) has a potential management entity to work in partnership
with residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations,
and local and State governments to develop a national heritage
area consistent with continued local and State economic
activity; and
(7) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the
public.
(c) Private Property.--In conducting the study required by this
section, the Secretary of the Interior shall analyze the potential
impact that designation of the area as a national heritage area is
likely to have on land within the proposed area or bordering the
proposed area that is privately owned at the time that the study is
conducted.
(d) Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which
funds are first made available for this section, the Secretary of the
Interior shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations
as the Secretary deems appropriate.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of H.R. 1594 is to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility
of establishing the St. Croix National Heritage Area in St.
Croix, United States Virgin Islands, and for other purposes.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Of the three islands that comprise the United States Virgin
Islands, St. Croix is the largest with a total area of 82
square miles. It is also the most remote. It is where Columbus
first arrived in the Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the
New World in November 1493, and was the home of the first
Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Today, the
island has two distinct towns--Christiansted built in 1734 and
Frederiksted built in 1752. Christiansted is the onetime Danish
West Indies capital and now a National Historic Site. Just off
the coast of Christiansted is Buck Island, the only U.S.
underwater National Monument. Frederiksted, is known for its
shoreline, deep port, and famous palm trees. The island has
become a popular tourist destination with its increasing number
of historic and cultural resources.
H.R. 1594 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with appropriate State historic preservation
officers, historical societies, and other appropriate
organizations, to conduct a study regarding the suitability and
feasibility of designating the island of St. Croix as the St.
Croix National Heritage Area. Elements of the study include
analysis, documentation, and determinations regarding whether
the island of St. Croix has natural, historic, and cultural
resources that together are worthy of recognition. The study
also requires determinations on traditions, customs, beliefs,
and folklife that are a valuable part of the national story as
well as any outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,
historic, cultural, or scenic features. Finally, the study
would determine whether St. Croix includes the necessary
support and involvement from residents, business interests,
nonprofit organizations, and local and State governments and
that these entities have developed a conceptual financial plan
that outlines the roles of all participants (including the
Federal Government).
COMMITTEE ACTION
H.R. 1594 was introduced on April 3, 2003, by Congresswoman
Donna Christensen (D-VI). The bill was referred to the
Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands.
On September 16, 2003, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the
bill. On October 21, 2003, the Subcommittee met to mark up the
bill. Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA) offered an amendment
in the nature of a substitute that required the Secretary of
the Interior to evaluate the impact a heritage area designation
would have on private landowners. The amendment was agreed to
by unanimous consent. The bill, as amended, was then forwarded
to the Full Committee by unanimous consent. On October 29,
2003, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. No
further amendments were offered. The bill, as amended, was then
ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by
unanimous consent.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations
are reflected in the body of this report.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B)
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does
not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not
apply.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, November 10, 2003.
Hon. Richard W. Pombo,
Chairman, Committee on Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1594, the St.
Croix National Heritage Area Study Act.
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,
Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1594--St. Croix National Heritage Area Study Act
H.R. 1594 would direct the Department of the Interior to
study the feasibility of designating the island of St. Croix as
the St. Croix National Heritage Area. The proposed study would
identify cultural and other resources on the island and would
determine if there is a suitable entity to manage a national
heritage area. The bill would require the department to report
on its findings and recommendations within three years of
receiving funds.
Assuming the availability of appropriated funds, CBO
estimates that preparing the study and report required by H.R.
1594 would cost the federal government about $300,000 over the
next three years. The legislation would not affect direct
spending or receipts.
H.R. 1594 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis.
The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing
law.