# STATEMENT OF KATHERINE H. STEVENSON, ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BUSINESS SERVICES, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, CONCERNING H.R. 3998, AMERICA'S HISTORICAL AND NATURAL LEGACY STUDY ACT.

## April 9, 2008

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present the views of the
Department of the Interior on H.R. 3998, a bill that authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to conduct nine special resources
studies of certain lands and structures to determine the appropriate
means for their preservation, use and management, including possible
inclusion within the National Park System or the National Trails System.

The Department supports the authorization of six of the studies: for the
Battles of Matewan and Camden, the Mississippi River, Fort San Geronimo,
the Rim of the Valley, and the Butterfield Overland Trail. The
Department does not object to the authorization of two of the studies:
for the Harry S Truman Birthplace site and the Eastern Legacy Lewis and
Clark trail sites. The Department opposes the authorization of the study
of the Wolf House. However, the Department feels that priority should be
given to the 32 previously authorized studies for potential units of the
National Park System, potential new National Heritage Areas, and
potential additions to the National Trails System and National Wild and
Scenic River System that have not yet been transmitted to the Congress.

Title I of H.R. 3998 authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special
resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of adding
the Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site, located in Lamar,
Missouri, to the Harry S Truman National Historic Site or designating
the site as a separate unit of the National Park System. The study would
also determine the methods and means for protection and interpretation
of the site by federal, state or local government entities or private or
non-profit organizations.

The Department does not object to the enactment of Title I. President
Harry S Truman was born in the house in Lamar, Missouri, and lived there
with his family until he was approximately 11 months old. The birthplace
is currently a State Historic Site operated and maintained by the
Division of Parks and Recreation of the State of Missouri. Harry S
Truman National Historic Site operates two units, the Truman Home in
Independence and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, from the operational
center in Independence. The birthplace site in Lamar is approximately
120 miles from the national historic site in Independence. Mr. Truman's
birth in Lamar is currently being included in interpretive programs at
both the Truman Home and the Truman Farm Home as part of the larger
Truman story.

Title II of H.R. 3998 authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special
resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of extending
the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to include additional sites
associated with the preparation and return phases of the expedition.
These sites are commonly known as the "Eastern Legacy sites" and are
located in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware,
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana,
Missouri and Illinois. The study would also determine the methods and
means for the protection and interpretation of these sites by federal,
state or local government entities or private or non-profit
organizations. The Department testified on a similar bill, S. 1991,
earlier this Congress.

While we have some concerns about the need for the study, the Department
does not object to the enactment of Title II. There have been many
discussions in recent years between scholars and interested individuals
concerning whether the Eastern Legacy sites and routes merit inclusion
in the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Arguments against
extending the trail have focused on the common historical understanding
of where the expedition itself began. Additional concerns include what
impact the inclusion of the Eastern Legacy sites would have on those
sites and on tourist visitation to the western half of the trail, and
whether extending the trail would dilute attention to and importance of
the existing trail. The issue of whether this area is suitable and
feasible as an administrative unit of the National Trails System has not
been addressed. Title II would provide that authority.

Title III authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study
of the sites associated with the "Battle of Matewan" in Matewan, West
Virginia to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating
these resources as a unit of the National Park System, and to determine
the methods and means for protection and interpretation by federal,
state or local government entities or private or non-profit
organizations.

The Department supports enactment of Title III. The "Battle of Matewan"
was a pivotal event in the eventual end of coal company control in the
southern Appalachians, and a seminal event in the history of organized
labor. The conflict was precipitated by striking coal miners who
demanded the company recognize the legitimacy of the United Mine Workers
of America. The coal companies retaliated by bringing in armed guards to
evict miners from local mines and their families from company housing,
sparking an armed confrontation on May 19, 1920 that left ten people
dead. Resources related to this period are still extant in the Town of
Matewan and its surrounding areas.

Title IV authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study of
the site of the Battle of Camden and the site of Historic Camden in
South Carolina to determine the suitability and feasibility of
designating these sites as a unit or units of the National Park System,
and to determine the methods and means for protection and interpretation
by the federal, state or local government entities or private or
non-profit organizations.

The Department supports enactment of Title IV. The Battle of Camden,
fought on August 16, 1780, was a key battle in the southern campaign of
the American Revolutionary War. The battle decisively ended American
hopes of a quick victory in the south. A 2003 reconnaissance study of
the Camden battlefield recommended that a Special Resources Study be
completed. Historic Camden is a National Park System affiliated area
within the City of Camden, which is one of the oldest towns in South
Carolina.

Title V authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study
along the route of the Mississippi River from its headwaters in the
state of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico to evaluate the route for
potential addition to the National Trails System. The study would also
determine the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of
the route by federal, state or local government entities or private or
non-profit organizations. Title V gives the Secretary the authority to
conduct the study in accordance with the National Park System General
Authorities Act or the National Trails System Act, as appropriate.

The Department supports the enactment of Title V. The Mississippi River
corridor is one of the richest in America's history. It traverses along
the edges of 10 states, linking six National Park Service areas and up
to 40 federal properties. A special resource study would allow for an
analysis of current conditions, river issues and activities, historic
issues, current and potential partners, interested state agencies,
affected communities, related planning projects, and previous studies,
and would help determine the best designation and coordinating role for
this important set of resources.

Title VI authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study to
determine the suitability and feasibility of including Fort San Gerónimo
in Puerto Rico as part of San Juan National Historic Site. The study
would also determine the methods and means for protection and
interpretation of the site by federal, state or local government
entities or private or non-profit organizations.

The Department supports enactment of Title VI. Fort San Gerónimo is one
of four forts surrounding the old, colonial portion of San Juan, Puerto
Rico that were built by Spanish troops beginning in 1539. Fort San
Gerónimo is the only one of the four forts in the original fortification
system that is not included in San Juan National Historic Site.

Title VII authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study
of the Wolf House in Norfork, Arkansas, to determine the suitability and
feasibility of designating the house as a unit of the National Park
System. The study would also determine the methods and means for the
protection and interpretation of the house by federal, state or local
government entities or private or non-profit organizations. The
Department testified on a similar bill, S. 1941, earlier this Congress.

The Department opposes enactment of Title VII. The Wolf House is a
two-story dogtrot structure dating back to 1829 and the oldest
territorial courthouse west of the Mississippi River. While the Wolf
House is an impressive historical structure, it is not distinguished
beyond many other historical log structures in cities all over the
United States. Even though the Wolf House has significance for the
political history of the state of Arkansas, we believe it may be more
suited for inclusion in the State Park system.

Title VIII authorizes the Secretary conduct a special resource study of
the area known as the Rim of the Valley in southern California to
determine the suitability and feasibility of designating all or a
portion of the corridor as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area. The study would also determine the methods and means
for the protection and interpretation of the corridor by federal, state
or local government entities or private or non-profit organizations.
Section 802 (b) requires the Secretary to document the process used to
develop the existing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Fire Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, and to document
all activity conducted pursuant to the plan designed to protect lives
and property from wildfire.

The Department supports enactment of Title VIII. The proposed study
would explore ways to involve a wide range of Federal, state, local, and
private entities to protect and interpret important natural and cultural
resources, and to provide more access to outdoor recreational
opportunities for the diverse urban communities in the Greater Los
Angeles Metropolitan Area. While the Department does not object to the
language in Section 802 (b), the documentation that this section
requires is already a part of the public record and is not relevant to
the Rim of the Valley Corridor Study.

Title IX authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study
and evaluation of the "Ox-Bow Route" of the Butterfield Overland Trail
in the states of Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona and California for potential inclusion in the National
Trails System. The study would also determine the methods and means for
the protection and interpretation of the corridor by federal, state or
local government entities or private or non-profit organizations.

The Department supports the enactment of Title IX. The Butterfield
Overland Mail Route was the scene of biweekly stage coach and mail
service between St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee to San
Francisco, California between 1858 and 1861. When the category of
"national historic trail" was first added to the National Trails System
in 1978, the Department of the Interior developed a file of potential
trails, including the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, but a formal
study was never completed.

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my testimony. I would be pleased to answer
any questions you or the other members of the subcommittee may have.