S 268 ISRSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 11, 2007

Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. WYDEN, and Mrs. MURRAY, and Mr. SMITH) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) at the end of the last Ice Age, some 12,000 to 17,000 years ago, a series of cataclysmic floods occurred in what is now the northwest region of the United States, leaving a lasting mark of dramatic and distinguishing features on the landscape of parts of the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) geological features that have exceptional value and quality to illustrate and interpret this extraordinary natural phenomenon are present on Federal, State, tribal, county, municipal, and private land in the region; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in 2001, a joint study team headed by the National Park Service that included about 70 members from public and private entities completed a study endorsing the establishment of an Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to recognize the national significance of this phenomenon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to coordinate public and private sector entities in the presentation of the story of the Ice Age floods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, enabling the public to view, experience, and learn about the features and story of the Ice Age floods through the collaborative efforts of public and private entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ICE AGE FLOODS; FLOODS- The term `Ice Age floods' or `floods' means the cataclysmic floods that occurred in what is now the northwestern United States during the last Ice Age from massive, rapid and recurring drainage of Glacial Lake in Missoula, Montana.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PLAN- The term `plan' means the cooperative management and interpretation plan authorized under section 5(e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) TRAIL- The term `Trail' means the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail designated by section 4(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. ICE AGE FLOODS NATIONAL GEOLOGIC TRAIL.

(a) Designation- In order to provide for public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age floods and to promote collaborative efforts for interpretation and education among public and private entities located along the pathways of the floods, there is designated the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Location-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) MAP- The route of the Trail shall be generally depicted on the map entitled `Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail,' numbered P43/80,000 and dated June 2004.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ROUTE- The route shall generally follow public roads and highways.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REVISION- The Secretary may revise the map by publication in the Federal Register of a notice of availability of a new map as part of the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Map Availability- The map referred to in subsection (b) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, shall administer the Trail in accordance with this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limitation- Except as provided in subsection (f)(2), the Trail shall not be considered to be a unit of the National Park System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Trail Management Office- To improve management of the Trail and coordinate Trail activities with other public agencies and private entities, the Secretary may establish and operate a trail management office at a central location within the vicinity of the Trail.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Interpretive Facilities- The Secretary may plan, design, and construct interpretive facilities for sites associated with the Trail if the facilities are constructed in partnership with State, local, tribal, or non-profit entities and are consistent with the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Management Plan-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 3 years after funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a cooperative management and interpretation plan for the Trail.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSULTATION- The Secretary shall prepare the plan in consultation with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) State, local, and tribal governments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Ice Age Floods Institute;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) private property owners; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) other interested parties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONTENTS- The plan shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) confirm and, if appropriate, expand on the inventory of features of the floods contained in the National Park Service study entitled `Ice Age Floods, Study of Alternatives and Environmental Assessment' (February 2001) by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) locating features more accurately;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) improving the description of features; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) reevaluating the features in terms of their interpretive potential;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) review and, if appropriate, modify the map of the Trail referred to in section 4(b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) describe strategies for the coordinated development of the Trail, including an interpretive plan for facilities, waysides, roadside pullouts, exhibits, media, and programs that present the story of the floods to the public effectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) identify potential partnering opportunities in the development of interpretive facilities and educational programs to educate the public about the story of the floods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Cooperative Management-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In order to facilitate the development of coordinated interpretation, education, resource stewardship, visitor facility development and operation, and scientific research associated with the Trail and to promote more efficient administration of the sites associated with the Trail, the Secretary may enter into cooperative management agreements with appropriate officials in the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon in accordance with the authority provided for units of the National Park System under section 3(l) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-2(l)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORITY- For purposes of this subsection only, the Trail shall be considered a unit of the National Park System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Cooperative Agreements- The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities to carry out this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Effect on Private Property Rights- Nothing in this Act--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) requires any private property owner to allow public access (including Federal, State, or local government access) to private property; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or local law with respect to public access to or use of private land.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Liability- Designation of the Trail by section 4(a) does not create any liability for, or affect any liability under any law of, any private property owner with respect to any person injured on the private property.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act, of which not more than $12,000,000 may be used for development of the Trail.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink