[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 783 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]
Calendar No. 558
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 783
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 23, 2007
Received
January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2008
Read twice and placed on the calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, 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 ``Mesa Verde National Park Boundary
Expansion Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) on June 29, 1906, Mesa Verde National Park was
established as the first national park in the United States to
preserve the works of humanity;
(2) on September 6, 1978, Mesa Verde National Park became
the first World Heritage Site designated in the United States;
and
(3) Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best
preserved and notable archeological sites of the ancient
Puebloan culture that flourished in the southwestern United
States from approximately 600-1300, including the elaborate
stone villages in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls
referred to as ``cliff dwellings''.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park--
(A) to protect the archeological sites located on
property adjacent to the Park boundary;
(B) to extend and expand the knowledge and
understanding of the ancient Puebloan culture, a major
influence in the development of the southwestern United
States;
(C) to protect from potential development the
scenic and biological value of the pinyon-juniper
covered hills that--
(i) border the Park; and
(ii) are in full view of the Park entrance
road; and
(D) to protect the largest recorded colony of the
globally imperiled Gray's Townsend Daisy, to ensure
continuation of a major wildlife corridor, and to
protect important habitat for wildlife; and
(2) to provide greater opportunities to visitors,
researchers, and surrounding communities to understand and
appreciate the natural environment of Mesa Verde and the
contributions of the ancient Puebloan culture to the region by
providing the land required to construct a contemporary museum
collections storage facility and visitor orientation center.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Mesa
Verde National Park Proposed Boundary Adjustment'', numbered
307/80,180, and dated March 1, 2007.
(2) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the Mesa Verde National
Park in the State of Colorado.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK.
(a) Acquisition of Land.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire the land or an
interest in the land described in subsection (b) for addition
to the Park.
(2) Means.--An acquisition of land under paragraph (1) may
be made by donation, purchase from a willing seller with
donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
(b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a)(1)
is the approximately 360 acres of land adjacent to the Park, as
generally depicted on the map.
(c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and available
for inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
(d) Boundary Modification.--The boundary of the Park shall be
revised to reflect the acquisition of the land under subsection (a).
(e) Administration.--The Secretary shall administer any land or
interest in land acquired under subsection (a)(1) as part of the Park
in accordance with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the
Park.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives October 22, 2007.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.
Calendar No. 558
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 783
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2008
Read twice and placed on the calendar