STATEMENT OF MARK REY

UNDER SECRETARY,

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

**U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**BEFORE THE**

**SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES**

# SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS 

**June 17, 2008**

**CONCERNING**

**S. 3045, Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Forest Heritage Area**

**Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee:**

Thank you for the opportunity to testify here today on S. 3045 which
would establish the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Forest
Heritage Area in the State of Alaska.

In previous testimony before this Subcommittee on similar legislation,
the Administration has consistently recommended that the Committee defer
action on proposed heritage area designations until national program
legislation is enacted that establishes guidelines and a process for the
designation of national heritages areas. We still support that position
and recommend that the Committee defer action on S. 3045. The
Administration appreciates the strong community advocacy for designation
of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Forest Heritage Area. If
feasible, this designation would recognize the nationally significant
history of the Kenai Peninsula by providing for the interpretation of
the history and culture of the area. This designation upon a
determination of feasibility would also facilitate public enjoyment of
these resources, and would foster cooperative planning and partnerships
among communities, and State and Federal governments.

S. 3045 would designate 1,217,600 acres on the Kenai Peninsula as a
National Forest Heritage Area. Modeled after other National Heritage
Areas administered by the National Park Service, this would be the first
to be administered by the Forest Service. Eighty-nine percent of the
lands within the proposed boundaries are within the Chugach National
Forest. The proposed heritage area is also surrounded by the remainder
of the Chugach's more than 5.3 million acres.

Like the National Park Service, the Forest Service values heritage
resources and considers it part of the agency's mission to preserve and
interpret them for the public. The Administration believes that the rich
history, spectacular natural resource values, and community support
merits the completion of a heritage area feasibility study that would
allow for evaluation of the area prior to designation. Completion of a
feasibility study for this heritage area would assure alignment with the
management goals of the Chugach National Forest and provide a strong
framework for collaborative management under which the significant
historical resources of the area would thrive and grow. Information
covering many of the criteria for national heritage area feasibility
studies has been gathered in previous studies for the Iditarod National
Heritage Trail and the Seward Highway National Scenic Byway. We
recommend that a final feasibility analysis be prepared that would
consolidate all this information into one document, make any final
boundary adjustments that may be necessary, or identify any unknowns. We
would be willing to work with the Committee on the scope of the
analysis.

Section 5 of the bill would designate a local non-profit coordinating
entity to develop and implement a management plan for the heritage area.
Section 6 would require the entity to submit the management plan to the
Secretary of Agriculture for approval or disapproval. The management
plan would be consistent with the applicable Federal, State, borough,
and local plans.

Section 7(a) would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a
memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Interior to
establish a general framework for cooperation and consultation in the
review and implementation of the management plan. The Forest Service and
the National Park Service will work cooperatively to support this
community-based effort.

Section 7(c) would require the Secretary of the Interior to include the
heritage area in nationwide releases, listings, and maps developed by
the National Park Service about national heritage areas. The
Administration recognizes the advantages and efficiencies to be gained
by this requirement.

Section 8 of the bill would provide that all laws applicable to the
Federal, Tribal, State, local, or private lands in the designated area
would continue to apply. As part of the extensive public involvement in
developing the revised Land Management Plan for the Chugach National
Forest, the Forest Service worked directly with proponents of the
heritage area to incorporate goals and objectives into the plan that
express the mutual interest in protecting and interpreting the cultural
resources of the Kenai Peninsula. The local coordinating entity has
worked tirelessly to bring the concept of a heritage area for this part
of Alaska into reality. The Administration supports its energy and
enthusiasm, as it dovetails with Forest Service support for local
communities on the Kenai Peninsula.

In conclusion Mr. Chairman, should S. 3045 be enacted to include a
feasibility study that meets applicable standards for other heritage
areas and provides Congress with the necessary information and
assessment upon which to base its decision regarding designation in the
future, the Forest Service looks forward to working with you, the local
coordinating entity, and the National Park Service to carry out the
intent of the amended bill. I would be happy to answer any questions you
may have. Thank you.