To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, and for other purposes.

January 31, 2005

Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. CRAIG, Mrs. MURRAY, and Mr. SMITH) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, 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 `Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that--

(1) at the end of the last Ice Age, some 12,000 to 17,000 years ago, a series of cataclysmic floods occurred in what is now the northwest region of the United States, leaving a lasting mark of dramatic and distinguishing features on the landscape of parts of the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon;

(2) geological features that have exceptional value and quality to illustrate and interpret this extraordinary natural phenomenon are present on Federal, State, tribal, county, municipal, and private land in the region; and

(3) in 2001, a joint study team headed by the National Park Service that included about 70 members from public and private entities completed a study endorsing the establishment of an Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail--

(A) to recognize the national significance of this phenomenon; and

(B) to coordinate public and private sector entities in the presentation of the story of the Ice Age floods.

(b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, enabling the public to view, experience, and learn about the features and story of the Ice Age floods through the collaborative efforts of public and private entities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) ICE AGE FLOODS; FLOODS- The term `Ice Age floods' or `floods' means the cataclysmic floods that occurred in what is now the northwestern United States during the last Ice Age from massive, rapid and recurring drainage of Glacial Lake in Missoula, Montana.

(2) PLAN- The term `plan' means the cooperative management and interpretation plan authorized under section 5(f).

(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(4) TRAIL- The term `Trail' means the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail designated by section 4(a).

SEC. 4. ICE AGE FLOODS NATIONAL GEOLOGIC TRAIL.

(a) Designation- In order to provide for public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age floods and to promote collaborative efforts for interpretation and education among public and private entities located along the pathways of the floods, there is designated the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail.

(b) Location-

(1) MAP- The route of the Trail shall be generally depicted on the map entitled `Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail,' numbered XXXXX, and dated XXXXX.

(2) ROUTE- The route shall generally follow public roads and highways--

(A) from the vicinity of Missoula in western Montana;

(B) across northern Idaho;

(C) through eastern and southern sections of Washington;

(D) across northern Oregon in the vicinity of the Willamette Valley and the Columbia River; and

(E) to the Pacific Ocean.

(3) REVISION- The Secretary may revise the map by publication in the Federal Register of a notice of availability of a new map as part of the plan.

(c) Map Availability- Any map referred to in subsection (b) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, shall administer the Trail in accordance with this Act.

(b) Trail Management Office- In order for the National Park Service to manage the Trail and coordinate Trail activities with other public agencies and private entities, the Secretary may establish and operate a trail management office within the vicinity of the Trail.

(c) Land Acquisition-

(1) IN GENERAL- If the acquisition is consistent with the plan, the Secretary may acquire land, in a quantity not to exceed 25 acres, for administrative and public information purposes to facilitate the geographic diversity of the Trail throughout the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

(2) METHODS-

(A) PRIVATE LAND- Private land may be acquired from a willing seller under this Act only by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.

(B) NON-FEDERAL PUBLIC LAND- Non-Federal public land may be acquired from a willing seller under this Act--

(i) only by donation or exchange; and

(ii) after consultation with the affected unit of local government.

(d) Interpretive Facilities- The Secretary may plan, design, and construct interpretive facilities for sites associated with the Trail if the facilities are constructed in partnership with State, local, tribal, or non-profit entities and are consistent with the plan.

(e) Interagency Technical Committee-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish an interagency technical committee to advise the trail management office on the technical planning for the development of the plan.

(2) COMPOSITION- The committee--

(A) shall include--

(i) representatives from Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies with interests in the floods; and

(ii) representatives from the Ice Age Floods Institute; and

(B) may include private property owners, business owners, and nonprofit organizations.

(f) Management Plan-

(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 3 years after funds are made available to carry out this Act under section 6, the Secretary shall prepare a cooperative management and interpretation plan for the Trail.

(2) CONSULTATION- The Secretary shall prepare the plan in consultation with--

(A) State, local, and tribal governments;

(B) the Ice Age Floods Institute;

(C) private property owners; and

(D) other interested parties.

(3) CONTENTS- The plan shall--

(A) confirm and, if appropriate, expand on the inventory of features of the floods contained in the National Park Service study entitled `Ice Age Floods, Study of Alternatives and Environmental Assessment' (February 2001) by--

(i) locating features more accurately;

(ii) improving the description of features; and

(iii) reevaluating the features in terms of their interpretive potential;

(B) review and, if appropriate, modify the map of the Trail referred to in section 4(b);

(C) describe strategies for the coordinated development of the Trail, including an interpretive plan for facilities, waysides, roadside pullouts, exhibits, media, and programs that present the story of the floods to the public effectively; and

(D) identify potential partnering opportunities in the development of interpretive facilities and educational programs to educate the public about the story of the floods.

(g) Cooperative Management-

(1) IN GENERAL- In order to facilitate the development of coordinated interpretation, education, resource stewardship, visitor facility development and operation, and scientific research associated with the Trail and to promote more efficient administration of the sites associated with the Trail, the Secretary may enter into cooperative management agreements with appropriate officials in the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon in accordance with the authority provided for units of the National Park System under section 3(l) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-2(l)).

(2) UNIT OF NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM- For purposes of this subsection, the Trail shall be considered a unit of the National Park System.

(h) Cooperative Agreements- The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities to carry out this Act.

(i) Effect on Private Property Rights- Nothing in this Act--

(1) requires any private property owner to allow public access (including Federal, State, or local government access) to private property; or

(2) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or local law with respect to public access to or use of private land.

(j) Liability- Designation of the Trail by section 4(a) does not create any liability for, or affect any liability under any law of, any private property owner with respect to any person injured on the private property.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act, of which not more than $500,000 may be used for each fiscal year for the administration of the Trail.

END