[House Report 116-612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 116-612
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SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY EXPANSION AND STUDY ACT OF 2020
_______
December 2, 2020.--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. 7098]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 7098) to expand the boundary of Saguaro National
Park, to study additional land for future adjustments to the
boundary of the park, and for other purposes, having considered
the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments and
recommends that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendments are as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Saguaro National Park Boundary
Expansion and Study Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. BOUNDARY OF SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK.
Section 4 of the Saguaro National Park Establishment Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-364; 108 Stat. 3467) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The boundaries of
the park''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2)(A) The boundaries of the park are further modified to
include approximately 1,232 acres, as generally depicted on the
map titled `Saguaro National Park_ Proposed Boundary
Adjustment', numbered 151/80,045G, and dated June 2020.
``(B) The map referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be on
file and available for inspection in the appropriate offices of
the National Park Service.'';
(2) by striking subsection (b)(2) and inserting the following
new paragraphs:
``(2) The Secretary may, with the consent of the State of
Arizona and in accordance with Federal and State law, acquire
land or interests therein owned by the State of Arizona within
the boundary of the park.
``(3) If the Secretary is unable to acquire the State land
under paragraph (2), the Secretary may enter into an agreement
with the State that would allow the National Park Service to
manage State land within the boundary of the park.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Boundary Study.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to
identify any lands outside the boundaries of the park that may
be appropriate for inclusion in the park.
``(2) Criteria.--The study be conducted in accordance with
National Park Service criteria for boundary adjustment studies.
``(3) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date funds
are made available for the study under this subsection, 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 on the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the study.''.
Amend the title so as to read:
A bill to expand the boundary of Saguaro National Park, to
authorize a study of additional land for potential inclusion in
the park, and for other purposes.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 7098 is to expand the boundary of
Saguaro National Park and to authorize a study of additional
land for potential inclusion in the park.
Background and Need for Legislation
In 1933, President Herbert Hoover established the 63,500-
acre Saguaro National Monument by proclamation in recognition
of ``outstanding scientific interest because of the exceptional
growth thereon of various species of cacti, including the so-
called giant cactus.''\1\ In 1961, President John F. Kennedy
added a separate area west of Tucson, the Tucson Mountain
District, to the monument in order to protect its ``remarkable
display of relatively undisturbed Sonoran desert
vegetation.''\2\ Through subsequent congressional actions in
1976, 1991, and 1994, the boundaries of the national monument
were adjusted, and the monument was redesignated as a national
park. Currently, the park encompasses 91,456 acres and provides
critical habitat for a diverse and unique assemblage of
wildlife, including the Gila monster, desert tortoise, and the
Mexican spotted owl.
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\1\Proclamation No. 2031, Establishing Saguaro National Monument
(Mar. 1, 1933), available at https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/
online_books/sagu/hrs/hrsaa.htm.
\2\Proclamation No. 3439, Enlarging the Saguaro National Monument,
Arizona (Nov. 15, 1961), available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/
pkg/STATUTE-76/pdf/STATUTE 76-Pg1437.pdf.
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H.R. 7098, as reported, modifies the boundaries of Saguaro
National Park, located in southern Arizona, to include
approximately 1,232 acres of land to the eastern and western
portions of the park. Inclusion of these two parcels would
preserve important wildlife habitat, protect biodiverse
riparian areas, and enhance recreational opportunities. The
bill also permits the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land
or land interests owned by the State of Arizona connecting
Saguaro National Park to the Sweetwater Preserve in Pima
County, Arizona, increasing habitat connectivity and
recreational trail linkages in the region. In addition, the
legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
study identifying additional lands that should be considered as
part of future boundary adjustments, particularly lands with
high natural, cultural, recreational, and scenic values,
ensuring the continued protection of the unique Sonoran Desert
habitats of the greater Tucson area.
Committee Action
H.R. 7098 was introduced on June 4, 2020, by Chair Raul M.
Grijalva (D-AZ). 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
July 13, 2020, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill. On
September 30, 2020, the Natural Resources Committee met to
consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous
consent. Chair Grijalva offered an amendment designated
Grijalva #1. The amendment was agreed to by unanimous consent.
No additional amendments were offered, and 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. 7098: legislative hearing by the Subcommittee on
National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held on July 13,
2020.
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) of rule XIII
of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to
requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested
but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the
Director of Congressional Budget Office. The Committee adopts
as its own cost estimate the forthcoming cost estimate of the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, should such cost
estimate be made available before House passage of the bill.
The Committee has requested but not received from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
Congressional Budget Office staff has informed the
Committee on a preliminary, informal, nonbinding basis that the
bill will likely have no direct spending or revenue effects.
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 expand the boundary of Saguaro
National Park and to authorize a study of additional land for
potential inclusion in the park.
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
An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of
the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.
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 Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 4 OF THE SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK ESTABLISHMENT ACT OF 1994
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF PARK BOUNDARIES.
(a) In General.--(1) The boundaries of the park are hereby
modified to reflect the addition of approximately 3,460 acres
of land and interests therein as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Saguaro National Monument Additions''' and dated
April, 1994.
(2)(A) The boundaries of the park are further
modified to include approximately 1,232 acres, as
generally depicted on the map titled ``Saguaro National
Park__Proposed Boundary Adjustment'', numbered 151/
80,045G, and dated June 2020.
(B) The map referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be
on file and available for inspection in the appropriate
offices of the National Park Service.
(b) Land Acquisition.--(1) Within the lands added to the park
pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to
acquire lands and interests therein by donation, purchase with
donated or appropriated funds, transfer, or exchange: Provided,
That no such lands or interests therein may be acquired without
the consent of the owner thereof unless the Secretary
determines that the land is being developed, or is proposed to
be developed in a manner which is determental to the integrity
of the park.
[(2) Lands or interests therein owned by the State of Arizona
or a political subdivision thereof may only be acquired by
donation or exchange.]
(2) The Secretary may, with the consent of the State
of Arizona and in accordance with Federal and State
law, acquire land or interests therein owned by the
State of Arizona within the boundary of the park.
(3) If the Secretary is unable to acquire the State
land under paragraph (2), the Secretary may enter into
an agreement with the State that would allow the
National Park Service to manage State land within the
boundary of the park.
(c) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all
Federal lands within the park are hereby withdrawn from all
forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public
land laws, from location, entry, or patent under the United
States mining laws, and from disposition under all laws
relating to mineral and geo- thermal leasing, and mineral
materials, and all amendments thereto.
(d) Boundary Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study
to identify any lands outside the boundaries of the
park that may be appropriate for inclusion in the park.
(2) Criteria.--The study be conducted in accordance
with National Park Service criteria for boundary
adjustment studies.
(3) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date
funds are made available for the study under this
subsection, 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 on the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations of the study.
Supplemental, Minority, Additional, or Dissenting Views
None.
[all]