II
Calendar No. 223
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 126
[Report No. 110–93]
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 4, 2007
Mr. Allard (for himself and Mr. Salazar) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
June 26, 2007
Reported by Mr. Bingaman, with an amendment
Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic
A BILL
To modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Mesa Verde National Park Boundary
Expansion Act of 2007
.
Findings; purposes
Findings
Congress finds that—
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;
on September 6, 1978, Mesa Verde National Park became the first World Heritage Site designated in the United States; and
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
.
Purposes
The purposes of this Act are—
to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park—
to protect the archeological sites located on property adjacent to the Park boundary;
to extend and expand the knowledge and understanding of the ancient Puebloan culture, a major influence in the development of the southwestern United States;
to protect from potential development the scenic and biological value of the pinyon-juniper covered hills that—
border the Park; and
are in full view of the Park entrance road; and
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
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.
Definitions
In this Act:
Map
The term map
means the map
entitled 2006 Proposed Mesa Verde National Park Boundary
Adjustment
.
Map
The term map
means the map
entitled Mesa Verde National Park Proposed Boundary Adjustment
,
numbered 307/80,180, and dated March 1, 2007.
Park
The term Park
means the Mesa
Verde National Park in the State of Colorado.
Secretary
The term Secretary
means the
Secretary of the Interior.
Mesa verde national park
Acquisition of land
In general
The Secretary may acquire the land or an interest in the land described in subsection (b) for addition to the Park.
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.
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.
Availability of map
The map shall be on file and available for inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
Boundary modification
The boundary of the Park shall be revised to reflect the acquisition of the land under subsection (a).
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.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
June 26, 2007
Reported with an amendment