[House Report 116-612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress     }                                  {        Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session        }                                  {        116-612

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



 
     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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    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]