[House Report 116-293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress    }                                     {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                     {      116-293

======================================================================



 
  SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT 
                               STUDY ACT

                                _______
                                

 November 15, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Grijalva, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1487]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 1487) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a special resource study of portions of the Los Angeles 
coastal area in the State of California to evaluate 
alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area, 
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. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Santa Monica Mountains National 
Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act''.

SEC. 2. RESOURCE STUDY OF THE LOS ANGELES COASTAL AREA, CALIFORNIA.

  (a) Definition of Study Area.--In this section, the term ``study 
area'' means the coastline and adjacent areas to the Santa Monica Bay 
from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance Beach, including the areas in 
and around Ballona Creek and the Baldwin Hills and the San Pedro 
section of the City of Los Angeles, excluding the Port of Los Angeles 
north of Crescent Avenue.
  (b) Special Resource Study.--
          (1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource 
        study of the study area.
          (2) Contents.--In conducting the study under paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall--
                  (A) evaluate the national significance of the study 
                area;
                  (B) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
                designating the study area as a unit of the National 
                Park System;
                  (C) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
                protection, and interpretation of the study area by the 
                Federal Government, State or local government entities, 
                or private and nonprofit organizations;
                  (D) consult with interested Federal agencies, State 
                or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit 
                organizations, or any other interested individuals; and
                  (E) identify cost estimates for any Federal 
                acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, 
                and maintenance associated with the alternatives.
          (3) Applicable law.--The study required under paragraph (1) 
        shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 
        54, United States Code.
          (4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which 
        funds are first made available for the study under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that 
        describes--
                  (A) the results of the study; and
                  (B) any conclusions and recommendations of the 
                Secretary.

                          PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of H.R. 1487 is to direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a special resource study of portions of the 
Los Angeles coastal area in the State of California to evaluate 
alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 
(SMMNRA), located west of Los Angeles, California, was 
designated in November 1978 to preserve the area's scenic, 
natural, and historic sites, and to provide recreational and 
scientific benefits to the region. Congress has passed multiple 
boundary adjustments since 1978. Today, the SMMNRA spans over 
150,000 acres, encompassing 46 miles of rugged coastline, 
mountains from the Mojave Desert to the Channel Islands, and a 
unique Mediterranean-type ecosystem. Throughout history, the 
Santa Monica Mountains have also been home to the Chumash and 
Tongva people, Spanish colonists, rancheros, and homesteaders.
    H.R. 1487 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
a special resource study of the Santa Monica Bay coastal area 
near Los Angeles to evaluate the national significance of the 
study area and to determine the suitability and feasibility of 
designating the study area as a unit of the National Park 
System.

                            COMMITTEE ACTION

    H.R. 1487 was introduced on March 4, 2019, by 
Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA). The bill was referred solely to 
the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to 
the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. 
On May 22, 2019, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill. 
On September 25, 2019, the Natural Resources Committee met to 
consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous 
consent. An amendment offered by Chair Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) 
designated #1 was agreed to by unanimous consent. The bill, as 
amended, was adopted and ordered favorably reported to the 
House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

                                HEARINGS

    For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 
116th Congress--the following hearing was used to develop or 
consider H.R. 1487: legislative hearing by the Subcommittee on 
National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held on May 22, 2019.

            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 Natural Resources' oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

      COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT

    1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. 
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the 
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                   Washington, DC, October 8, 2019.
Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1487, the Santa 
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment 
Study Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is David Hughes.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

              [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    

    H.R. 1487 would require the National Park Service (NPS) to 
conduct a special resource study of the Santa Monica Bay 
coastal area near Los Angeles, California. As part of that 
study, the NPS would evaluate alternative conservation 
approaches, including designating the coastal area as a unit of 
the National Park System. H.R. 1487 would require the NPS to 
report the study results, conclusions, and recommendations to 
the Congress.
    Using information from the NPS on the cost of similar 
special resource studies, CBO estimates that completing the 
study over 5 years would cost $1 million. The NPS would use the 
expertise of 10 to 15 employees over different time periods to 
study the coastal area. Any spending would be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Hughes. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
    2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goals and 
objectives of this bill are to direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a special resource study of portions of the 
Los Angeles coastal area in the State of California to evaluate 
alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area.

                           EARMARK STATEMENT

    This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives.

                 UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT STATEMENT

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                           EXISTING PROGRAMS

    This bill does not establish or reauthorize a program of 
the federal government known to be duplicative of another 
program.

                  APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

               PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW

    Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or 
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's 
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the 
U.S. Constitution.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    If enacted, this bill would make no changes to existing 
law.

        SUPPLEMENTAL, MINORITY, ADDITIONAL, OR DISSENTING VIEWS

    None.

                                  [all]