I
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1989
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 20, 2007
Mr. Pearce introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To establish the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National
Conservation Area Act
.
Definitions
In this Act:
Conservation area
The term Conservation Area means the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area established by section 3(a).
Management plan
The term management plan means the management plan developed for the Conservation Area under section 4(c).
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
Establishment of fort stanton-snowy river cave national conservation area
Establishment; Purposes
There is established the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area in Lincoln County, New Mexico, to protect, conserve, and enhance the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational subterranean cave resources of the Fort Stanton-Snowy River cave system.
Area Included
The Conservation Area shall include the area within the
boundaries depicted on the map titled Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave
National Conservation Area
and dated January 25, 2007.
Map and Legal Description
In general
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a map and legal description of the Conservation Area.
Effect
The map and legal description of the Conservation Area shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct any minor errors in the map and legal description.
Public availability
The map and legal description of the Conservation Area shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.
Management of the conservation area
Management
In general
The Secretary shall manage the Conservation Area—
in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources and values of the Conservation Area, including the resources and values described in section 3(a); and
in accordance with—
this Act;
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
any other applicable laws.
Uses
The Secretary shall only allow uses of the Conservation Area that are consistent with the protection of the cave resources.
Requirements
In administering the Conservation Area, the Secretary shall provide for—
the conservation and protection of the natural and unique features and environs for scientific, educational, and other appropriate public uses of the Conservation Area;
public access, as appropriate, while providing for the protection of the cave resources and for public safety;
the continuation of other existing uses or other new uses of the Conservation Area that do not impair the purposes for which the Conservation Area is established;
management of the surface area of the Conservation Area in accordance with the Fort Stanton Area of Critical Environmental Concern Final Activity Plan dated March, 2001, or any amendments to the plan, consistent with this Act; and
scientific investigation and research opportunities within the Conservation Area, including through partnerships with colleges, universities, schools, scientific institutions, researchers, and scientists to conduct research and provide educational and interpretive services within the Conservation Area.
Withdrawals
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal surface and subsurface land within the Conservation Area and all land and interests in the land that are acquired by the United States after the date of enactment of this Act for inclusion in the Conservation Area, are withdrawn from—
all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the general land laws;
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws.
Management Plan
In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term management of the Conservation Area.
Purposes
The management plan shall—
describe the appropriate uses and management of the Conservation Area;
incorporate, as appropriate, decisions contained in any other management or activity plan for the land within or adjacent to the Conservation Area;
take into consideration any information developed in studies of the land and resources within or adjacent to the Conservation Area; and
provide for a cooperative agreement with Lincoln County, New Mexico, to address the historical involvement of the local community in the interpretation and protection of the resources of the Conservation Area.
Activities Outside Conservation Area
The establishment of the Conservation Area shall not—
create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Conservation Area; or
preclude uses or activities outside the Conservation Area that are permitted under other applicable laws, even if the uses or activities are prohibited within the Conservation Area.
Research and Interpretive Facilities
In general
The Secretary may establish facilities for—
the conduct of scientific research; and
the interpretation of the historical, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational resources of the Conservation Area.
Cooperative agreements
The Secretary may, in a manner consistent with this Act, enter into cooperative agreements with the State of New Mexico and other institutions and organizations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Water Rights
Nothing in this Act constitutes an express or implied reservation of any water right.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.