[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 206 Referred in House (RFH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 206
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 17, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ice Age Floods National Geologic
Trail Designation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(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;
(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; and
(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--
(A) to recognize the national significance of this
phenomenon; and
(B) to coordinate public and private sector
entities in the presentation of the story of the Ice
Age floods.
(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.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(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.
(2) Plan.--The term ``plan'' means the cooperative
management and interpretation plan authorized under section
5(e).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) Trail.--The term ``Trail'' means the Ice Age Floods
National Geologic Trail designated by section 4(a).
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.
(b) Location.--
(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.
(2) Route.--The route shall generally follow public roads
and highways.
(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.
(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.
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.
(b) Limitation.--Except as provided in subsection (f)(2), the Trail
shall not be considered to be a unit of the National Park System.
(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.
(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.
(e) Management Plan.--
(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.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall prepare the plan in
consultation with--
(A) State, local, and tribal governments;
(B) the Ice Age Floods Institute;
(C) private property owners; and
(D) other interested parties.
(3) Contents.--The plan shall--
(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--
(i) locating features more accurately;
(ii) improving the description of features;
and
(iii) reevaluating the features in terms of
their interpretive potential;
(B) review and, if appropriate, modify the map of
the Trail referred to in section 4(b);
(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; and
(D) identify potential partnering opportunities in
the development of interpretive facilities and
educational programs to educate the public about the
story of the floods.
(f) Cooperative Management.--
(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)).
(2) Authority.--For purposes of this subsection only, the
Trail shall be considered a unit of the National Park System.
(g) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
cooperative agreements with public or private entities to carry out
this Act.
(h) Effect on Private Property Rights.--Nothing in this Act--
(1) requires any private property owner to allow public
access (including Federal, State, or local government access)
to private property; or
(2) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or local law
with respect to public access to or use of private land.
(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.
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.
Passed the Senate November 16, 2005.
Attest:
EMILY J. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.