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Calendar No. 136
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 776
[Report No. 106-66]
To authorize the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study
for the preservation of the Loess Hills in western Iowa.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 13, 1999
Mr. Grassley (for himself and Mr. Harkin) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
June 7, 1999
[Reported by Mr. Murkowski, with amendments
[Insert the part printed in Italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study
for the preservation of the Loess Hills in western Iowa.
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 ``Loess Hills Preservation Study Act
of 1999''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Loess Hills encompasses 600,000 acres in western
Iowa, having been formed by ancient glaciers and hundreds of
centuries of westerly winds blowing soil across the Missouri
River, which were then deposited in Iowa;
(2) this area is the largest Loess formation in the United
States, and one of the two largest in the world, supporting
several species of rare native prairie grasses;
(3) portions of the Loess Hills remain undeveloped and
provide an important opportunity to protect and preserve an
historic, rare and unique natural resource;
(4) a program to study the Loess Hills can only be
successfully implemented with the cooperation and participation
of affected local governments and landowners;
(5) in 1986, the Loess Hills area was designated as a
National Natural Landmark in recognition of the area's
nationally significant natural resources;
(6) although significant natural resources remain in the
area, increasing development in the area has threatened the
future stability and integrity of the Loess Hills area; and
(7) the Loess Hills area merits further study by the
National Park Service, in cooperation with the State of Iowa,
local governments, and affected landowners, to determine
appropriate means to better protect, preserve, and interpret
the significant resources in the area.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Secretary
of the Interior to conduct a suitability and feasibility study to
determine what measures should be taken to preserve the Loess Hills in
western Iowa.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act--
(1) the term ``Loess Hills'' means the natural geological
formation of soils in the State of Iowa located between
Waubansie State Park and Stone Park, and which includes
Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills, and
Fremont counties;
(2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
Interior; and
(3) the term ``State'' means the State of Iowa.
SEC. 4. LOESS HILLS STUDY.
(a) The Secretary shall undertake a study of the Loess Hills area
to review options for the protection and interpretation of the area's
natural, cultural, and historical resources. The study shall include,
but need not be limited to, an analysis of the suitability and
feasibility of designating the area as--
(1) a unit of the National Park System;
(2) a National Heritage Area or Heritage Corridor; or
(3) such other designation as may be appropriate.
(b) The study shall examine the appropriateness and feasibility of
cooperative protection and interpretive efforts between the United
States, the State, its political subdivisions, and non-profit groups or
other interested parties.
(c) The Secretary shall consult in the preparation of the study
with State and local governmental entities, affected landowners, and
other interested public and private organizations and individuals.
(d) The study shall be completed within one year after the date
funds are made available. No later than 30 days after its completion,
the Secretary shall transmit a report of the study, along with any
recommendations, to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the United States Senate and the Committee on Resources of the United
States House of Representatives.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act not to
exceed $275,000.
Calendar No. 136
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 776
[Report No. 106-66]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study
for the preservation of the Loess Hills in western Iowa.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 7, 1999
Reported with amendments
Pages: 1 Other Popular 106th Congressional Bills Documents:
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