Week Ending May 21

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending May 21, 2004

HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA

S 1576 To revise the boundary of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

BRIEF

The bill would amend Federal law concerning the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land to expand the Park. The Park, on the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in West Virginia was established in 1944 as part of the National Park System. S 1576 would increase the size by 1,240 acres to a total of 3,745 acres. The bill establishes 3,745 acres as the maximum allowable acreage.

The Secretary of Interior is authorized to acquire, by purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, by donation, or by exchange the additional lands with the exception of 27 acres donated by and named the Bradley and Ruth Nash Addition.

Sponsor: Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WVA)

Vote: Passed Senate by unanimous consent

Cost to the taxpayer: CBO estimates $5 million over the next two years.

TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY

S 524 Fort Donelson National Battlefield Expansion Act of 2003

BRIEF

The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire for inclusion in the Fort Donelson National Battlefield land, interests and improvements within the boundaries of the Battlefield and outside the boundaries if the land has been identified by the American Battlefield Protection Program as part of the battlefield associated with Fort Donelson. The Secretary could acquire land if he thinks the acquisition will protect critical resources associated with the Battle of Fort Donelson in1862 and the Union campaign under General Ulysses S. Grant and Admiral Andrew H. Foote that resulted in the capture of the Fort.

The battlefield is limited to 2,000 acres.

The Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture would be directed to enter into a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in protecting and interpreting the remaining vestige of Fort Henry and other existing Civil War resources affiliated with the Fort Donelson campaign and located in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

The boundary of the Fort Donelson National Battlefield is revised to include the site of Fort Donelson and associated land that has been acquired by the Secretary of the Interior for administration by the National Park Service, including Fort Donelson National Cemetery, in Stewart County, Tennessee and the site of Fort Heiman and associated land in Calloway County, Kentucky,

Sponsor: Senator Jim Bunning ( -KY)

Vote: Passed Senate by unanimous consent.

Cost to the taxpayer: Estimated at $1.1 million annually.

NEW MEXICO

S 213 Albuquerque Biological Park Title Clarification Act

BRIEF

S 213 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue a quitclaim deed conveying any right, title, and interest the US may have in and to Tingley Beach and San Gabriel Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the City of Albuquerque. The bill would provide that the City shall not be required to pay any additional costs for the value of such Park and Beach. The land totals about 65 acres.

Sponsor: Senator Jeff Bingaman (R-NM)

Vote: Passed Senate by unanimous consent

Cost to the taxpayer: No discernible cost.

FEES FOR NATIONAL PARK USE

S 1107 Recreational Fee Authority Act of 2004.

BRIEF

To offset a reported $5 billion in baked up expenses for maintenance projects at national parks the Secretary of Interior would be authorized to collect user or admission fees for admission to units of the land administered by the National Park Service and to utilize those areas.

The Secretary would establish a minimum number of fees and avoid multiple or layered fees. The fees would not take effect for 12 months.

The Secretary could enter into agreements with public or private entities to provide visitor reservation services and fee collection or processing services. Discounted or free admission days would be authorized. Revenue sharing with State park agencies is authorized when admission to the State facilities is gained through using the National Park Passport.

Receipts collected would be retained by the Secretary and 80 percent of the fees collected at an area, site, or project would be used at that area, site, or project. At least 50 percent of the fees collected as a result of the sale of the National Park Passport would be used at the area where they were collected.

Not more than 15 percent of total revenues could be used to administer the program.

Sponsor: Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY)

Vote: Passed Senate by unanimous consent.

Cost to taxpayer: According to CBO the plan, actually a continuation of the pilot project, will spend an additional $592 million between 2004 and 2014.

S 2178 National Park System Laws Technical Amendments Act of 2004

BRIEF

This measure corrects technical and typographical errors in 15 National Park related laws passed during the 106th and 107th Congresses, or makes minor policy clarifications. The amendments correct errors in spelling and format, but do not make significant changes in any of the affected laws.

Sponsor: Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM)

Vote: Passed Senate by unanimous consent.

Cost to the taxpayer: No discernible cost.