[Senate Report 110-96]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                                       Calendar No. 226
110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                     110-96

======================================================================
 
   WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL 
                            DESIGNATION ACT

                                _______
                                

                 June 26, 2007.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Bingaman, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 686]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 686) to amend the National Trails System 
Act to designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route 
National Historic Trail, having considered the same, reports 
favorably thereon without amendment, and recommends that the 
bill do pass.

                                Purpose

    The purpose of S. 686 is to designate the Washington-
Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, a 600-
mile route extending from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, 
Virginia.

                          Background and Need

    During the 106th Congress, legislation was enacted (Public 
Law 106-473) authorizing the National Park Service to undertake 
a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of 
designating the 600-mile route taken by the armies of George 
Washington and Count Rochambeau between Newport, Rhode Island 
and Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 and the return to Boston, 
Massachusetts in 1782.
    The National Park Service completed the study in October 
2006. The study concluded that the trail was appropriate for 
designation as a National Historic Trail, which was the 
preferred alternative of the study.
    As part of the alliance with the 13 rebellious colonies 
that would form the United States, French General Jean Baptiste 
Donatien de Vimeur, comte de (Count) Rochambeau, sailed into 
Newport, Rhode Island in July of 1780 as head of the expedition 
Particuliere, an army of 5,300 officers and men. After 
wintering in Newport, Rochambeau's army marched through Rhode 
Island and Connecticut in June and July of 1781, and joined 
General George Washington's Continental Army in Philipsburg, 
New York.
    Abandoning the idea of attacking New York, held by the 
British under General Sir Henry Clinton, the two generals 
devised instead a southern campaign to attack General Charles 
Lord Cornwallis in Virginia. In August and September, their 
armies took a combination of strategic roads and waterways that 
led them through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, 
the future District of Columbia, and Virginia, reaching 
Williamsburg in late September. Together they attacked and held 
under siege the British-fortified town of Yorktown. A French 
fleet under the command of Admiral de Grasse blocked the 
Chesapeake Bay to either reinforcement from New York or sea 
escape from Yorktown. On October 19, 1781, after three weeks of 
siege, General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington, 
marking Yorktown as one of the most decisive American victories 
in the War for Independence.
    Shortly afterwards, Washington and the Continentals 
returned to defend northern posts. Rochambeau and his army 
wintered in Williamsburg, then marched north in the summer of 
1782. In the towns and cities they passed through along the 
way, both the American and French forces were warmly greeted 
and celebrated. While small contingents stayed in different 
ports and left for France the following year, the bulk of 
Rochambeau's army sailed from Boston on Christmas Eve, 1782.
    In all, nine states and the future District of Columbia 
formed the route and supported the march, providing ports, 
roads, campsites, officers' lodging, provisions of food, and 
supplies: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

                          Legislative History

    S. 686 was introduced by Senator Lieberman and others on 
February 26, 2007. The Subcommittee on National Parks held a 
hearing on the bill on April 26, 2007.

                        Committee Recommendation

    The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in an 
open business session on May 23, 2007, by a unanimous voice 
vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 
686.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis

    Section 1 contains the short title, the ``Washington-
Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail 
Designation Act.''
    Section 2 amends section 5(a) of the National Trails System 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)) to add the approximately 600-mile 
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic 
Trail, extending from Newport, Rhode Island to Yorktown, 
Virginia. The trail is to be administered by the Secretary of 
the Interior, in consultationwith Federal, State, tribal, 
regional, and local agencies, and the private sector. The Secretary is 
authorized to acquire lands and interests therein outside the exterior 
boundary of Federally-administered areas only on a willing-seller 
basis.

                   Cost and Budgetary Considerations

    The following estimate of the cost of this measure has been 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

                                                      June 5, 2007.
Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
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. 686, the Washington-
Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail 
Designation Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew 
Pickford.
            Sincerely,
                                                   Peter R. Orszag.
    Enclosure.

S. 686--Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic 
        Trail Designation Act

    S. 686 would amend the National Trails System Act to 
designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a 
National Historic Trail. The route spans over 600 miles across 
nine states and the District of Columbia that trace the marches 
taken by the American and French armies during the Yorktown 
campaign of the Revolutionary War. The National Park Service 
(NPS) would administer the trail and coordinate the efforts of 
public and private entities on trail administration, planning, 
development, and maintenance.
    Based on information provided by the NPS and assuming the 
availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates that 
establishing, developing, and administering the proposed 
historic trail would cost about $2 million over the 2008-2012 
period. Of this amount, we estimate that the NPS would spend 
about $300,000 over the next three years to prepare a 
comprehensive management plan for the trail. In addition, we 
estimate that the NPS would spend about $350,000 annually 
beginning in 2010 for the operations and maintenance of the 
interpretive program for trail visitors.
    S. 686 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 Matthew 
Pickford. The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, 
Deputy 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. 686. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or 
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 the 
enactment of S. 686, as ordered reported.

                        Executive Communications

    The testimony provided by the National Park Service at the 
April 26, 2007 Subcommittee hearing on S. 686 follows:

 Statement of Daniel N. Wenk, Deputy Director, National Park Service, 
                       Department of the Interior

    Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for 
the opportunity to appear before you to provide the Department 
of the Interior's views on S. 686, a bill to designate the 
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as a national 
historic trail.
    The Department supports enactment of this bill.
    The study report on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary 
Route, authorized by P.L. 106-473, continues under public 
review until May 4, 2007. The study has preliminarily concluded 
that the trail meets the criteria for designation as a national 
historic trail. Although we normally prefer to complete studies 
before making a recommendation, the study's central 
recommendation is unlikely to change this late in the process. 
The public comment period will determine if any further 
revisions to the study are required.
    S. 686 would amend the National Trails System Act to 
designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route 
National Historic Trail across nine states and the District of 
Columbia. The trail would be administered by the Secretary of 
the Interior in consultation with other Federal, State, tribal, 
regional, and local agencies, and the private sector.
    The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route spans over 
600 miles from Newport, Rhode Island where French forces under 
the command of Jean Baptiste Donatien de Viemeur, comte de 
Rochambeau landed in July 1780, to Yorktown, Virginia where 
with General George Washington and Continental Army forces, the 
combined armies forced the surrender of the British Army under 
General Charles Lord Cornwallis. Historians regard this 
cooperative endeavor resulting in the Yorktown surrender as one 
of the most decisive events in bringing the American Revolution 
to a successful conclusion. It initiated and has had the long-
lasting effect of our continued friendship with the people of 
France.
    After wintering in Newport, Rochambeau's army marched 
through Rhode Island and Connecticut and joined Washington's 
army in Phillipsburg, New York. Foregoing an attack on New York 
City, the two generals decided to attack from the south. In 
August through September, the armies traversed New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the future District of 
Columbia, and Virginia, reaching Williamsburg in late 
September. A French fleet under Admiral DeGrasse blocked the 
Chesapeake Bay from British entry and the possible escape of 
British troops at Yorktown. On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis 
surrendered his forces to those who had suffered the hardships 
of rebellion and their allies, and ultimately forged the birth 
of a nation.
    In the summer of 1782, Rochambeau's army marched north to 
Boston and the bulk of his troops sailed to France on Christmas 
Eve of that year. In this crucial march south and then 
victoriously north after Yorktown, American and French troops 
were warmly greeted and celebrated by the populace. In all, 
nine future states and the future District of Columbia 
comprised portions of the route and supported the march, 
providing ports, roads, campsites, officers' lodging, food 
provisions and supplies.
    The extant resources associated with the marches of 1781 
and 1782 are well-documented. Comprehensive historical and 
architectural surveys have identified 750 known resources 
directly related to the route and many more in adjacent 
locations. Many resources found along the Revolutionary Route 
are National Historic Landmarks or sites listed on the National 
Register of Historic Places. They include campsites and 
bivouacs; historic road segments and landscapes; numerous 
buildings used for accommodations of the troops and meetings; 
archeological resources; tombstones and grave markers; and, 
abundant plaques, tablets and statues marking the passage of 
those, both French and American, who marched to secure a 
nation's beginning.
    The proposed trail links units of the National Park System, 
national heritage areas, and related resources administered by 
States, local governments and private organizations that 
commemorate the nation's struggle for independence. As one 
traverses the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, the 
places that ring of our nation's revolutionary past come into 
view from Newport to Hartford; Peekskill to Morristown, 
Princeton, and Trenton; Philadelphia and Valley Forge to 
Wilmington and Baltimore; and Mt. Vernon to Williamsburg and 
Yorktown.
    S. 686, if enacted, would provide for administration of the 
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic 
Trail by the Secretary of the Interior and, in accordance with 
provisions of the National Trails System Act, provide for the 
establishment of a trail advisory council. The Secretary would 
also consult with Federal agencies, State and local governments 
and private organizations to develop a comprehensive management 
plan for the trail. The cost associated with implementation of 
the plan could be shared by relevant State and local 
governments and private organizations, which generally helps to 
limit Federal expenditures for national trails. The Federal 
cost to administer this national trail is expected to be phased 
in, eventually reaching approximately $200,000 to $400,000 
annually.
    Our experience during the course of the study for the trail 
has indicated that there is wide-spread support for designation 
among affected State and local governments and the many private 
organizations that participated in our public meetings and 
closely followed the progress of the study. For example, during 
the study process, a new nine-State nonprofit 501(c)(3) 
partnership group, the National Washington Rochambeau 
Revolutionary Route Association, was formed to support 
designation of the trail and education of the public on the 
Revolutionary War. This group could be a key partner in the 
preservation and interpretation of the route if the trail is 
designated. We believe that this trail, if designated, will be 
characterized by significant continued participation by the 
many governments and organizations along the route.
    This concludes my prepared remarks, Mr. Chairman. I will be 
happy to answer any questions you or other committee members 
may have regarding this bill.

                        Changes in Existing Law

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by 
the bill S. 686, as ordered reported, are shown as follows: 
(existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black 
brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in 
which no change is proposed is shown in roman):

                    Public Law 90-543--Oct. 2, 1968


                         16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.


 AN ACT To establish a national trails system, and for other purposes.

    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 ``National Trails System 
Act''.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 5. NATIONAL SCENIC AND NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS.

    (a) National Scenic and national historic trails shall be 
authorized and designated only by Act of Congress. There are 
hereby established the following National Scenic and National 
Historic Trails:

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (26) Washington-rochambeau revolutionary route 
        national historic trail.--
                  (A) In general.--The Washington-Rochambeau 
                Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, a 
                corridor of approximately 600 miles following 
                the route taken by the armies of General George 
                Washington and Count Rochambeau between 
                Newport, Rhode Island, and Yorktown, Virginia, 
                in 1781 and 1782, as generally depicted on the 
                map entitled ``WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU 
                REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL'', 
                numbered T01/80,000, and dated July 2006.
                  (B) Map.--The map referred to in subparagraph 
                (A) shall be on file and available for public 
                inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
                National Park Service.
                  (C) Administration.--The trail shall be 
                administered by the Secretary of the Interior, 
                in consultation with--
                          (i) other Federal, State, tribal, 
                        regional, and local agencies; and
                          (ii) the private sector.
                  (D) Land acquisition.--The United States 
                shall not acquire for the trail any land or 
                interest in land outside the exterior boundary 
                of any federally-managed area without the 
                consent of the owner of the land or interest in 
                land.
                
                
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