![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...........................................March 19, 2007**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Res. 138** - Recognizing the importance of Hot Springs National
> Park on its 175th anniversary\
> **H.R. 902** - More Water and More Energy Act of 2007\
> **H.R. 1021**- Taunton, Massachusetts Special Resources Study Act\
> **H.R. 658** - Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act
>
> H.R. 838 - To provide for the conveyance of the Bureau of Land
> Management parcels known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak properties
> and related real property to Park City, Utah, and for other purposes
>
> H.R. 839 - Arthur V. Watkins Dam Enlargement Act
>
> H.R. 1006 - Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2007
>
> H.R. 759 - To redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor
> of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New
> York Harbor, as the "Bob Hope Memorial Library."

H.Res. 138 --- Recognizing the importance of Hot Springs National Park
on its 175th anniversary (*Ross, D-AR*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 138 would resolve that, on the 175th
anniversary of the Act of Congress that created the Hot Springs
Reservation, the House of Representatives recognizes the important
contribution of the Hot Springs Reservation and Hot Springs National
Park to the history of conservation in the United States.

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "the concept in the United States of setting aside a nationally
    significant place for the future enjoyment of its citizens was first
    implemented 175 years ago in Hot Springs, Arkansas, with the
    creation of the Hot Springs Reservation, which protected 47 area hot
    springs;

-   "the Act that created the Hot Springs Reservation, entitled 'An Act
    authorizing the governor of the territory of Arkansas to lease the
    salt springs, in said territory, and for other purposes', approved
    April 20, 1832 (4 Stat. 505), required that 'the hot springs in said
    territory, together with four sections of land, including said
    springs, as near the centre thereof as may be, shall be reserved for
    the future disposal of the United States, and shall not be entered,
    located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatever';

-   "the Act creating the Hot Springs Reservation preceded both the
    establishment of the Department of the Interior in 1849 and the
    establishment of Yellowstone National Park as the first national
    park in 1872; and

-   "the tradition of preservation and conservation that developed into
    the National Park System, which now includes 390 units, began with
    the Act that created the Hot Springs Reservation."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.Res. 138 was introduced on
February 7, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources'
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.R. 902 --- More Water and More Energy Act of 2007 (*Udall, D-CO*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

An almost identical bill, H.R. 5110, passed the House during the 109^th^
Congress by a voice vote on December 5, 2006.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 902 would authorize \$5 million for the
Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the U.S Geological Survey
to conduct a study to identify the technical, economic, environmental,
legal, and other obstacles to increasing the extent to which produced
water can be used for irrigation and other purposes. The bill would
direct the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of this study.

H.R. 5110 would also authorize \$5 million in **new federal grants** for
the implementation of several local projects. Specifically, the bill
authorizes "at least one project in one of the Upper Basin States other
than New Mexico," "at least one project in either New Mexico or one of
the Lower Basin States other than California," "at least one project in
California," and "at least on project in Texas." The bill states the
purpose of the grants is to "provide financial assistance for the
development of facilities to demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness,
and safety of processes to increase the extent to which produced water
may be recovered and made suitable for use for irrigation, municipal or
industrial uses, or other purposes without adversely affecting water
quality or the environment."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 902 was introduced on February
7, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources'
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and the Subcommittee on
Water and Power, neither of which took any official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** A CBO score of H.R. 902 is
unavailable. However, the bill authorizes \$6 million.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** As noted above, this bill creates one new
grant program.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.R. 1021 --- Taunton, Massachusetts Special Resources Study Act

(*Frank, D-MA*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

An almost identical bill, H.R. 1512, passed the House during the 109^th^
Congress by a voice vote on June 27, 2005.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 1021 would directs the Secretary of
Interior to conduct a special resources study regarding the suitability
and feasibility of designating certain historic buildings and areas in
Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System. The study
is to determine whether the historic areas in Taunton:

-   "can be managed, curated, interpreted, restored, preserved, and
    presented as an organic whole under management by the National Park
    Service or under an alternative management structure;

-   "have an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources
    that together represent distinctive aspects of American heritage
    worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing
    use;

-   "reflect traditions, customs, beliefs, and historical events that
    are valuable parts of the national story;

-   "provide outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, historic,
    cultural, architectural, or scenic features;

-   "provide outstanding recreational and educational opportunities; and

-   "can be managed by the National Park Service in partnership with
    residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and State
    and local governments to develop a unit of the National Park System
    consistent with State and local economic activity."

The Secretary of the Interior is to submit a report within three years
to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate on the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the study.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 1021 was introduced on February
13, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources'
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** A CBO score of H.R. 1021 is
unavailable.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.R. 658 --- Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act

(Porter, R-NV)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 658 would allow the Secretary of the
Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with state, local or
tribal governments, other federal agencies, other public entities,
educational institutions, private nonprofit organizations, or
participating private landowners, for the purpose of "protecting natural
resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative
efforts on land inside and outside of National Park System units." The
bill stipulates specific benefits to park natural resources that
cooperative agreements must include:

-   the preservation of watersheds and wetlands,

-   preventing, controlling, or eradicating invasive exotic species that
    are within the National Park System, or

-   the restoration of native wildlife habitats and ecosystems.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 658 was introduced on January
24, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources'
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** A CBO score of H.R. 658 is
unavailable. The bill states that "Funds available to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be limited to programs and amounts
specified in the statute for such use in the annual appropriation Act
for the National Park Service."

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}:** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.R. 838 - To provide for the conveyance of the Bureau of Land
Management parcels known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak properties and
related real property to Park City, Utah, and for other purposes
(Bishop, R-UT)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 838 directs the Secretary of Interior to
convey to Park City, Utah, two parcels of property located in Park City
that are currently under the management jurisdiction of the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) and known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak
properties. The bill requires that the conveyance be made by a deed or
deeds containing a restriction requiring that the lands be maintained as
open space and used only for public recreation purposes or other similar
purposes. H.R. 838 requires Park City, Utah to pay to the Secretary of
Interior an amount "consistent with conveyances to governmental entities
for recreational purposes under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act."
According to CBO, the amount paid by Utah to the Secretary will be
"negligible."

H.R. 838 also directs the Secretary to sell two specified parcels of
property (different from the two parcels of land previously mentioned)
located in Park City that are currently under the management
jurisdiction of the BLM, and requires that the land be sold through a
competitive bidding process and for not less than fair market value.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to a Committee
Report from a similar bill last Congress, "Park City, Utah currently
holds a 25 year Recreation and Public Purposes Act lease on Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) lands within the city limits. Consistent with Park
City's long-term management plan for sensitive lands, the City has begun
purchasing large blocks of environmentally-sensitive land and has placed
those lands in conservation status. Park City recently approved a \$20
million bond for the purchase of such lands." The Committee Report also
stated that the sale of the land provided for in the bill will be used
to enhance existing BLM resources in the State of Utah.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 838 was introduced on February
6, 2007, and was referred to the Committee on Resources, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to a CBO estimate for a
similar bill last Congress, enacting this legislation would have no
significant impact on the federal budget. The bill would not affect
revenues. According to the agency, the affected federal parcels
currently generate no significant receipts and are not expected to do so
over the next 10 years."

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No. The bill reduces federal landholdings in
the state of Utah. According to the GSA, as of September 2004, the
federal government owned 57.5% of all land in Utah.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.R. 839 - Arthur V. Watkins Dam Enlargement Act (Bishop, R-UT)\
**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 839 would authorize the Secretary of the
Interior (through the Bureau of Reclamation) to conduct a feasibility
study on raising the height of the Arthur V. Watkins Dam to provide
additional storage to meet water supply needs within the Weber Basin
Project area and the Wasatch Front, Utah. The study must include an
environmental evaluation and a cost allocation. The bill limits the
federal share to 50 percent of the study's cost, and allows the Interior
Department to accept in-kind contributions of goods or services from the
Weber Basin Water Conservancy District. It terminates the Secretary's
authority for the Act ten years after enactment, and authorizes
appropriations of \$1 million for the federal share.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 839 was introduced on February
6, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, which took
no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** According to a CBO estimate for a
similar bill last Congress, "assuming appropriation of the specified
amount, implementing this legislation would cost \$1 million over the
2006-2007 period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}:** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

H.R. 1006 - Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2007

(Young, R-AK)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1006 would reauthorize the Marine Mammal
Unusual Mortality Event Fund, which expired in 1993, for FY 2007 through
FY 2010, at the current level\--\$500,000 annually. In addition, the
bill would also reauthorize the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue
Assistance Grant program at \$7 million annually over the FY 2007 to FY
2010 period. This program provides grants to eligible stranding network
participants for the recovery or treatment of marine mammals, the
collection of data from living or dead stranded marine mammals for
scientific research regarding marine mammal health, and facility
operation costs.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1006 was introduced on February
13, 2007 and was referred to the Committee on Resources, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score for this bill is
unavailable.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

H.R. 759 - To redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of
the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York
Harbor, as the "Bob Hope Memorial Library" *(Engel, D-NY)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, March 19, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 759 would redesignate the Ellis Island
Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, as
the "Bob Hope Memorial Library."

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: Bob Hope was born just outside of
London, England and immigrated to the United States when he five years
old. His birth name was Leslie Townes Hope.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 759 was introduced on January
31, 2007 and was referred to the Committee on Resources, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO estimate for this bill is
unavailable.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}:** A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports
contain "a statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint
resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

\###