Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act of 2005

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act of 2005.

Wind Cave National Park is one of our Nation's oldest national parks and one of the jewels in our national park system. Established over 100 years ago, Wind Cave was the first cave in the world to be set aside as a national park. At the turn of the 20th century, its first explorers reported that the cave was only three miles long. Well, that report was a little off. Today, we know that the cave has over 117 miles of mapped tunnels and explorers are still discovering new passages. This makes it the fifth largest cave in the world.

These passages contain many natural treasures--rare and exceptional displays of box work, a honeycomb-shaped formation that protrudes from the cave's ceilings and walls, as well as other rare cave formations, and a geology that scientists are still working to understand. Past Congresses recognized the value of these treasures by creating the park; our ability to enjoy them today is a testament to their foresight.

With over 28,000 acres today, the park's surface is an impressive asset as well. The Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision act would expand this stewardship to include an additional 5,000 acres of mixed grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and a dramatic river canyon. Home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs, the park is one of the few remaining mixed-grass ecosystems in the country. The expansion would be a natural extension of this habitat and enhance the park's holdings.

This project began when the ranching family that owns the land approached the National Parks Service over 3 years ago. The Black Hills region of South Dakota is developing rapidly and, rather than allow the land to be developed into subdivisions and strip malls, they envisioned preserving it for future generations. That initial discussion expanded to the surrounding community, State government, and eventually, the United States Congress. The bill's passage in the Senate and its consideration here today are the fruits of those discussions.

In addition to receiving support in the House of Representatives from my two predecessors and myself, this bill enjoys the bipartisan backing of the South Dakota Senate delegation and South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds. As the expansion project has proceeded, interested parties have weighed in with their concerns and they have been answered.

Wind Cave National Park has protected and preserved a national treasure for over 100 years. The Wind Cave National Park Boundary Revision Act is a unique opportunity to expand the park and enhance its value to the public so that visitors can enjoy it forever. It is my hope that my colleagues will support the expansion of this park and vote in favor of this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, as the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Fortuno) of the majority has explained, S. 276 will further the purposes of Wind Cave National Park by enabling significant lands to be added to the national park.

This bill, S. 276, is the Senate companion measure to the bill H.R. 456 introduced by the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth), my colleague on the Committee on Resources. The gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth) is to be commended for her leadership on this important legislative initiative which will add lands to the park that will protect archaeological sites, enhance the viewshed, and preserve prairie and forest lands that are natural extensions of the existing park.

Since coming to Congress, the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth) has been a strong advocate for these additions to the park, and we are pleased to see her work coming to fruition today.

Madam Speaker, S. 276 will help advance the preservation and interpretation of Wind Cave National Park, and we support adoption of the legislation by the House today.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 276) to revise the boundary of the Wind Cave National Park in the State of South Dakota.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 276, the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

S. 276, introduced by Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune of South Dakota, is the companion bill to H.R. 546, introduced by the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth), my committee colleague.

S. 276 would authorize the expansion of Wind Cave National Park located in the famous Black Hills of South Dakota. The boundary adjustment would allow for the protection of such archaeological sites as a 1,000-year-old buffalo jump.

I urge adoption of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.