69–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 110–462 

AMERICA’S HISTORICAL AND NATURAL LEGACY STUDY 

ACT 

DECEMBER 4, 2007.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. RAHALL, from the Committee on Natural Resources, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 3998] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 3998) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 

special resources studies of certain lands and structures to determine the appropriate means for preservation, use, and management of the resources associated with such lands and structures, 

having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an 

amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as ‘‘America’s Historical and Natural Legacy Study Act’’. 

SEC. 2. SECRETARY. 

For the purposes of this Act, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior. 

SEC. 3. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

The table of contents is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title. 

Sec. 2. Secretary. 

Sec. 3. Table of contents. 

TITLE I—HARRY S TRUMAN BIRTHPLACE STUDY ACT 

Sec. 101. Short title. 

Sec. 102. Special resource study. 


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TITLE II—LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL EXTENSION STUDY ACT 

Sec. 201. Short title. 

Sec. 202. Definitions. 

Sec. 203. Special resource study. 

TITLE III—BATTLE OF MATEWAN STUDY ACT 

Sec. 301. Short title. 

Sec. 302. Special resource study. 

TITLE IV—BATTLE OF CAMDEN STUDY ACT 

Sec. 401. Short title. 

Sec. 402. Special resource study. 

TITLE V—MISSISSIPPI RIVER STUDY ACT 

Sec. 501. Short title. 

Sec. 502. Special resource study. 

TITLE VI—FORT SAN GERONIMO STUDY ACT 

Sec. 601. Short title. 

Sec. 602. Definitions. 

Sec. 603. Special resource study. 

TITLE VII—WOLF HOUSE STUDY ACT 

Sec. 701. Short title. 

Sec. 702. Special resource study. 

TITLE VIII—RIM OF THE VALLEY CORRIDOR STUDY ACT 

Sec. 801. Short title. 

Sec. 802. Special resource study. 

TITLE IX—STRANAHAN HOUSE, TRADING POST AND CAMPSITE STUDY ACT 

Sec. 901. Short title. 

Sec. 902. Special resource study. 

TITLE X—BUTTERFIELD OVERLAND TRAIL STUDY ACT 

Sec. 1001. Short title. 

Sec. 1002. Special resource study. 

TITLE I—HARRY S TRUMAN BIRTHPLACE 

STUDY ACT 

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Harry S Truman Birthplace Study Act’’. 

SEC. 102. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the 

Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar, Missouri to determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of adding the birthplace site to the Harry 

S Truman National Historic Site or designating the site as a separate unit of 

the National Park System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of the Harry 

S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site by the National Park Service, other 

Federal, State, or local government entities or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE II—LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL 

HISTORIC TRAIL EXTENSION STUDY ACT 

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension 

Study Act’’. 


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SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS. 

In this title: 

(1) EASTERN LEGACY SITES.—The term ‘‘Eastern Legacy sites’’ means the sites 

associated with the preparation or return phases of the Lewis and Clark expedition, commonly known as the ‘‘Eastern Legacy’’, including sites in Virginia, the 

District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, 

Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois. This includes the routes 

followed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, whether independently or together. 

(2) TRAIL.—The term ‘‘Trail’’ means the Lewis and Clark National Historic 

Trail designated by section 5(a)(6) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 

1244(a)(6)). 

SEC. 203. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the 

Eastern Legacy sites to determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of adding these sites to the Trail; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of these sites 

by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities 

or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 5(b) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(b)). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE III—BATTLE OF MATEWAN STUDY ACT 

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Battle of Matewan Study Act’’. 

SEC. 302. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the 

sites and resources at Matewan, West Virginia, associated with the Battle of 

Matewan (also known as the Matewan Massacre) of May 19, 1920 to determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic areas of 

Matewan, West Virginia as a unit of the National Park System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of these sites 

by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities 

or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE IV—BATTLE OF CAMDEN STUDY ACT 

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Battle of Camden Study Act’’. 

SEC. 402. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the site 

of the Battle of Camden fought in South Carolina on August 16, 1780, and the site 

of Historic Camden, which is currently a National Park System Affiliated Area, to 

determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of designating these sites as a unit or units 

of the National Park System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of these sites 

by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities 

or private or non-profit organizations. 


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(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing— (1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE V—MISSISSIPPI RIVER STUDY ACT 

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Mississippi River Study Act’’. 

SEC. 502. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study along the 

route of the Mississippi River in the counties contiguous to the river from its headwaters in the State of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico to evaluate—

(1) a range of alternatives for protecting and interpreting the resources along 

the route of the Mississippi River, including alternatives for potential addition 

of all or portions of the route to the National Trails System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of the route 

by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities 

or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8 (c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5) or section 5(b) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(b)) as appropriate. 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE VI—FORT SAN GERONIMO STUDY ACT 

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Fort San Gero ́nimo Study Act’’. 

SEC. 602. DEFINITIONS. 

For the purposes of this title: 

(1) FORT SAN GERO ́ NIMO.—The term ‘‘Fort San Gero ́nimo’’ (also known as 

‘‘Fortı ́n de San Gero ́nimo del Boquero ́n’’) means the fort and grounds listed on 

the National Register of Historic Places and located near Old San Juan, Puerto 

Rico. 

(2) RELATED RESOURCES.—The term ‘‘related resources’’ means other parts of 

the fortification system of old San Juan that are not currently included within 

the boundary of San Juan National Historic Site, such as sections of the City 

Wall or other fortifications. 

SEC. 603. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of Fort 

San Gero ́nimo and other related resources, to determine— 

(1) the suitability and feasibility of including Fort San Gero ́nimo and other 

related resources in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as part of San Juan National Historic Site; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of Fort San 

Gero ́nimo and other related resources by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing— 

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 


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TITLE VII—WOLF HOUSE STUDY ACT 

SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Wolf House Study Act’’. 

SEC. 702. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the 

Wolf House located on Highway 5 in Norfork, Arkansas, to determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of designating the Wolf House as a unit of 

the National Park System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of the Wolf 

House by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government 

entities or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE VIII—RIM OF THE VALLEY CORRIDOR 

STUDY ACT 

SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act’’. 

SEC. 802. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the 

area known as the Rim of the Valley Corridor, generally including the mountains 

encircling the San Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Conejo Valleys 

in California, to determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of designating all or a portion of the corridor 

as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of this corridor by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government 

entities or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) DOCUMENTATION.—In conducting the study authorized under subsection (a), 

the Secretary shall document—

(1) the process used to develop the existing Santa Monica Mountains National 

Recreation Area Fire Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement 

(September 2005); and 

(2) all activity conducted pursuant to the plan referred to in paragraph (1) 

designed to protect lives and property from wildfire. 

(c) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE IX—STRANAHAN HOUSE, TRADING POST 

AND CAMPSITE STUDY ACT 

SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Stranahan House, Trading Post and Campsite 

Study Act’’. 

SEC. 902. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study of the 

Stranahan House, located at 335 S.E. 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well 


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as the adjacent property at 500 East Las Olas Boulevard, where portions of the 

trading post and the campsite were located, to determine—

(1) the suitability and feasibility of designating these sites as a unit of the 

National Park System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of these sites 

by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities 

or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5). 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE X—BUTTERFIELD OVERLAND TRAIL 

STUDY ACT 

SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Butterfield Overland Trail Study Act’’. 

SEC. 1002. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete a special resource study along the 

‘‘Ox-Bow Route’’ of the Butterfield Overland Trail in the States of Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to evaluate—

(1) a range of alternatives for protecting and interpreting the resources of the 

trail area, including alternatives for potential addition of the trail area to the 

National Trails System; and 

(2) the methods and means for the protection and interpretation of this trail 

by the National Park Service, other Federal, State, or local government entities 

or private or non-profit organizations. 

(b) STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study in accordance 

with section 8(c) of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5) or section 5(b) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(b)) as appropriate. 

(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural 

Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing—

(1) the results of the study; and 

(2) any recommendations of the Secretary. 

TITLE XI—HUNTING AND FISHING 

SEC. 1101. HUNTING AND FISHING. 

Each study authorized by this Act shall document the State and local laws governing hunting and fishing within the study area. 

TITLE XII—SENSE OF CONGRESS 

SEC. 1201. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 

It is the sense of Congress that any subsequent legislation affecting the status of 

the areas subject to the special resources studies authorized under this Act shall 

be supported by the results of the relevant studies authorized by this Act. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H.R. 3998 is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct special resource studies of certain lands and structures to determine the appropriate means for preservation, use, 

and management of the resources associated with such lands and 

structures. 


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BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

H.R. 3998 combines ten special resource study bills, each of 

which has previously been the subject of hearings by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. The bill 

directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct special resource 

studies of each of these sites or trails to determine the appropriate 

means for preservation, use and management of the resources, including possible inclusion within the National Park System or National Trails System. The bill requires the Secretary to complete 

each study three years after funds are made available. 

The language in H.R. 3998 has been standardized for consistency 

with Section 8(c) of the National Park System General Authorities 

Act (Public Law 91–383), which governs studies of areas for potential addition to the National Park System, and Section 5(b) of the 

National Trails System Act (Public Law 90–543), which governs 

studies of trails for potential addition to the National Trails System. 

Four special resource studies in the bill evaluate sites for potential inclusion as new units in the National Park System: the site 

of the battle of Camden in South Carolina and the site of the Battle of Matewan in West Virginia, the Wolf House in Arkansas and 

the Stranahan House in Florida. 

Three special resource studies in the bill evaluate sites for potential addition to existing National Park System units: the Harry S 

Truman Birthplace for potential addition to the Harry S Truman 

National Historic Site in Missouri, Fort San Gero ́nimo for potential 

addition to San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico and the 

Rim of the Valley Corridor for potential addition to Santa Monica 

Mountains National Recreation Area in California. 

Two special resource studies in the bill evaluate routes for potential addition to the National Trails System: the proposed 

Butterfield Overland Trail from Tennessee to California and the 

proposed Mississippi River Trail from Minnesota to the Gulf of 

Mexico. 

Finally, the bill includes a study of potential additions to the existing Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

On June 14, 2007, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests 

and Public Lands held a hearing on the original bills for the Wolf 

House (H.R. 442, introduced by Representative Berry [D–AR]) and 

the Rim of the Valley Corridor additions to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California (H.R. 1835, introduced 

by Representative Schiff [D–CA]). 

On July 19, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the original bills for the Battle of Camden site in South Carolina (H.R. 

1674, introduced by Representative Spratt [D–SC]) and the 

Butterfield Overland Trail (H.R. 1266, introduced by Representative Boozman [R–AR]). 

On October 30, 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the 

original bills for the Harry S Truman Birthplace addition to Harry 

S Truman National Historic Site (H.R. 3265, introduced by Representative Skelton [D–MO]); the Eastern Legacy additions to the 

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (H.R. 3616, introduced by 


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Representative Emerson [R–MO]); the Battle of Matewan site (H.R. 

3821, introduced by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rahall [D–WV]); the Fort San Gero ́nimo addition to San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico (H.R. 1545, introduced by Representative Fortun ̃ o [R–PR]) and Stranahan House (H.R. 3120, introduced by Representative Wasserman Schultz [D–FL]). 

Representative McCollum (D–MN) introduced H.R. 2482, to 

study a possible trail along the Mississippi River from Minnesota 

to the Gulf of Mexico on May 31, 2007. A similar bill, H.R. 1796, 

the Mississippi River Trail Study Act, passed the House in the 

109th Congress. 

Legislation combining these measures, H.R. 3998, was introduced 

on October 30, 2007, by Subcommittee Chairman Rau ́l Grijalva (D– AZ). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. 

On November 7, 2007, the Full Natural Resources Committee 

met to consider the bill. Representative Flake (R–AZ) offered an en 

bloc amendment to strike Titles V (Mississippi River) and VIII 

(Rim of the Valley). The amendment was not agreed to by a rollcall 

vote of 9 yeas and 18 nays, as follows: 


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Representative Bishop (R–UT) offered an amendment to direct 

that each of the studies authorized by H.R. 3998 describe the effects of any recommendation on state or local laws regarding hunting, fishing and the possession or use of a weapon, trap or net. 

Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva offered an amendment to the 

amendment to direct that each study document the state and local 

laws governing hunting and fishing within the study area. The 

Grijalva second degree amendment was agreed to by voice vote, 

and the Bishop amendment, as amended, was agreed to by voice 

vote. 

Representative Bishop offered an amendment to Title VIII to direct that, in conducting the special resource study, the Secretary of 

the Interior consult with owners of private property within and adjacent to the Santa Monica National Recreation Area regarding the 

effects of existing wildfire prevention practices on such property 

owners. Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva offered an amendment to 

the amendment to direct that the Secretary document the process 

used to develop the existing Santa Monica Mountains National 

Recreation Area Fire Management Plan and Environmental Impact 

Statement and all activity conducted pursuant to that plan designed to protect lives and property from fire. The Grijalva second 

degree amendment was agreed to by voice vote, and the Bishop 

amendment, as amended, was agreed to by voice vote. 

Representative Bishop offered an amendment to strike a portion 

of the study area in Title IX (Stranahan House). The amendment 

was not agreed to by a rollcall vote of 8 yeas and 22 nays, as follows: 


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Representative Bishop offered an amendment to Title X 

(Butterfield Overland Trail) to require that the Secretary also 

study the effects on private property owners in the study area, including any changes in land values, the possibility of restrictive 

zoning, or the need for land acquisition. The amendment was not 

agreed to by voice vote. 

Representative Bishop offered an amendment to express the 

sense of Congress that any subsequent legislation affecting the status of the areas subject to the special resource studies authorized 

under H.R. 3998 should be supported by the results of those studies. The amendment was agreed to by voice vote. 

Representative Bishop offered an amendment to define ‘‘reasonable’’ efforts to contact landowners or consult with landowners concerning the studies authorized in the bill as requiring actual contact through telephone, mail or electronic mail. The amendment 

was subsequently withdrawn. 

The bill, as amended, was then ordered favorably reported to the 

House of Representatives by voice vote. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

Section 1 provides that the Act may be cited as ‘‘America’s Historical and Natural Legacy Study Act.’’

Section 2. Secretary 

Section 2 defines the term ‘‘Secretary’’ to mean the Secretary of 

the Interior. 

Section 3. Table of contents 

Section 3 provides a table of contents for the legislation. 

Title I—Harry S Truman Birthplace Study Act 

Title I directs the Secretary to complete a special resource study 

of the Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar, 

Missouri. Section 102(a) specifies that the Secretary is to study the 

site not only for possible addition to the Harry S Truman National 

Historic Site but also for possible management and interpretation 

by other public or private entities. 

Title II—Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension 

Study Act 

Title II directs the Secretary to complete a special resource study 

of sites associated with the preparation or return phases of the 

Lewis and Clark expedition, commonly referred to as the ‘‘Eastern 

Legacy’’ sites in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri and Illinois, including the routes followed by 

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, whether separately or together, as possible additions to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. 

Title III—Battle of Matewan Study Act 

Title III directs the Secretary to complete a special resource 

study of the sites and resources at Matewan, West Virginia, associVerDate Aug 31 2005 22:36 Dec 05, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR462.XXX HR462

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ated with the Battle of Matewan (also known as the Matewan Massacre) of May 19, 1920. Section 302(a) requires the site to be studied not only for possible designation as a unit of the National Park 

System but also for possible management and interpretation by 

other public or private entities. 

Title IV—Battle of Camden Study Act 

Title IV directs the Secretary to complete a special resource 

study of the site of the Battle of Camden fought in South Carolina 

on August 16, 1780, and the site of Historic Camden, which is currently a National Park System Affiliated Area. Section 402(a) requires these sites to be studied not only for possible designation as 

a unit or units of the National Park System but also for possible 

management and interpretation by other public or private entities. 

Title V—Mississippi River Study Act 

Title V directs the Secretary to complete a special resource study 

along the route of the Mississippi River in the counties contiguous 

to the river from its headwaters in the State of Minnesota to the 

Gulf of Mexico. The study is to examine a wide range of alternatives for conservation and interpretation of sites along the river, 

including potential addition of all or portions of the route as part 

of the National Trails System. 

Title VI—Fort San Gero ́nimo Study Act 

Title VI directs the Secretary to complete a special resource 

study of Fort San Gero ́nimo (also know as ‘‘Fort ́ın de San Gero ́nimo 

del Boquero ́n’’) and other related resources in the Commonwealth 

of Puerto Rico for possible inclusion in the San Juan National Historic Site or management by other public or private entities. 

Title VII—Wolf House Study Act 

Title VII directs the Secretary to complete a special resource 

study of the Wolf House located on Highway 5 in Norfolk, Arkansas. Section 702(a) requires the site to be studied not only for possible designation as a unit of the National Park System but also 

for possible management and interpretation by other public or private entities. 

Title VIII—Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act 

Title VIII directs the Secretary to complete a special resource 

study of the area known as the Rim of the Valley Corridor, generally including the mountains encircling the San Fernando, La 

Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi and Conejo Valleys in California, for 

potential addition to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area or management by other public or private entities. 

Title IX—Stranahan House, Trading Post and Campsite 

Study Act 

Title IX directs the Secretary to complete a special resource 

study of the Stranahan House and the adjacent lot. Section 902(a) 

requires the sites to be studied not only for possible designation as 

a unit of the National Park System but also for possible management and interpretation by other public or private entities. 


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Title X—Butterfield Overland Trail Study Act 

Title X directs the Secretary to complete a special resources 

study along the ‘‘Ox-Bow Route’’ of the Butterfield Overland Trail 

in the states of Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, 

New Mexico, Arizona and California. The study is to include alternatives for potential addition of the trail area to the National 

Trails System. 

Title XI—Sense of Congress 

Title XI expresses the sense of Congress that any subsequent legislation affecting the status of the areas studied under the bill 

should be supported by the results of those studies. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 

Natural Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States 

grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides 

that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule 

XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 

308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not 

contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 

3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 

clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or objective 

of this bill is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 

special resource studies of certain lands and structures to determine the appropriate means for preservation, use, and management of the resources associated with such lands and structures. 

4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 

3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 

section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for this bill from the 

Director of the Congressional Budget Office: 

H.R. 3998—America’s Historical and Natural Resources Legacy 

Study Act 

Summary: H.R. 3998 would direct the National Park Service 

(NPS) to conduct special resource studies of ten areas throughout 

the United States. The studies, which would be completed over a 


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15 

three-year period, would determine the suitability and feasibility of 

adding the areas to the National Park System. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $3 million over the 2008–2010 period. 

Enacting the bill would have no effect on revenues or direct spending. 

The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 3998 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Estimated Authorization Level .................................................. 1 1 1 0 0 

Estimated Outlays ..................................................................... 1 1 1 0 0 

Basis of estimate: Based on information provided by the NPS, 

CBO estimates that carrying out the 10 required studies would cost 

about $300,000 each and would be completed over the next three 

years. The study areas include: 

• The Harry S Truman Birthplace in Missouri, 

• Sites in 11 states and the District of Columbia associated with 

the Lewis and Clark expedition, 

• Sites in West Virginia associated with the Battle of Matewan, 

• The site of the Battle of Camden in South Carolina, 

• Counties in several states along the Mississippi River, 

• Fort San Geronimo in Puerto Rico, 

• The Wolf House in Arkansas, 

• The area known as the Rim of the Valley Corridor in California, 

• The Stranahan house, trading post, and campsite in Florida, 

and 

• The Ox-bow Route of the Butterfield Overland Trail, which 

runs through eight states. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 3998 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 

governments. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Deborah Reis; Impact on 

state, local, and tribal governments: Melissa Merrell; Impact on the 

private sector: Amy Petz. 

Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4

This bill contains no unfunded mandates. 


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EARMARK STATEMENT

H.R. 3998 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e) 

or 9(f) of rule XXI. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law. 


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(17) 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

We oppose H.R. 3998 for both substantive and procedural reasons. Seven of the ten Titles and their underlying bills are good 

bills that should have passed out of Committee by unanimous consent. They are: The Harry S Truman Birthplace Study Act, The 

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension Study Act, Battle of Matewan Study Act, Battle of Camden Study Act, Fort San 

Geronimo Study Act, Wolf House Study Act, and the Butterfield 

Overland Trail Study Act. The Stranahan House, Trading Post and 

Campsite Study Act is unworthy of passage and could have serious 

implications for private property rights. 

Title IX, the Stranahan House, Trading Post and Campsite 

Study Act is part of a continuing attempt by the owners and some 

very wealthy supporters of the Stranahan House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to stop development by almost any means necessary 

on adjacent private land. The owners of the adjacent property located at 500 East Las Olas Boulevard have successfully fought the 

Stranahan House for nearly a decade to have use of the land they 

own. These efforts have included the Stranahan House getting the 

City of Fort Lauderdale to condemn the land (which a court dismissed) and filing numerous suits against the property owners and 

the city to stop development. By directing the National Park Service, which did not support the underlying bill H.R. 3120, to study 

the adjacent property the bill will cast a threatening shadow of 

condemnation over the property and threatening further interference with the landowner’s private property rights. All evidence 

shows that Members who were asked to cosponsor H.R. 3120 were 

not told it included studying land owned by unwilling participants. 

Incredibly, only after the hearing on H.R. 3120 was the owners of 

500 East Las Olas Boulevard informed they were included in the 

study. Real estate appraisers currently value the property at approximately $90 million dollars. 

Committee Democrats claim that this is ‘‘just a study’’ and is 

needed ‘‘to know what used to be there and was of historical and 

cultural importance.’’ How can a study of this type that specifically 

names a particular parcel of property not interfere with the use of 

a landowner’s property? Given the history of abuse by the owners 

and supporters of the Stranahan House it is likely that ANY finding of ‘‘historical and cultural importance’’ during the course of the 

study will likely be used as justification for either condemning the 

land or restricting the use of the property by local officials or the 

National Park Service to ‘‘preserve’’ the Stranahan House. The 

owners of 500 East Las Olas Boulevard, in addition to spending 

millions defending the right to have domain over their property, 

have repeatedly stated in letters to Congress and the press that 

they in no way wish to participate in the study or wish to sell their 

land. At mark up, every Democrat present voted against an amendVerDate Aug 31 2005 22:36 Dec 05, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6604 E:\HR\OC\HR462.XXX HR462

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ment to remove the private landowners who did not want their 

property studied. In an editorial about a recent legal loss by the 

Stranahan House against the adjacent landowners, even the liberal 

Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel stated ‘‘it’s time Stranahan House 

advocates finally realize it’s time to fold ‘em.’’ This bill will only 

breath new life into this abuse of power. 

This bill illustrates how Committee Democrats have ushered in 

a new era of ‘‘Park Barrel Politics’’, an egregious practice of greasing the skids of bad bills through the legislative process by bundling together truly terrible park bills with worthy ones in massive 

omnibus packages to win votes. The less debate and the faster it 

can be rammed through the House, the better it is for the Majority. 

Committee Democrats quickly scuttled their promise to hold National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee mark ups 

after the first and only one they held produced healthy debate and 

votes on amendments. A Subcommittee mark up on H.R. 3998 may 

have cured many of the problems the bill has. Committee Democrats laughably tried to insinuate that H.R. 3998 has 82 cosponsors 

by adding up all the cosponsors of the 10 underlying bills. Support 

of part is not support of all. How one can claim support of a bill 

to study the birthplace of President Truman can be translated into 

support for a study of the most expensive National Park in our Nation’s history is beyond reason. 

Committee Democrats clearly displayed their anti-private property and Second Amendment rights agenda in markup by gutting 

simple Republican amendments. One such amendment would have 

required the National Park Service to disclose the changes that will 

be imposed on hunting rights on newly acquired federal land. Another amendment would have required the National Park Service 

to include in their study the impact federalization will have on the 

risk of wildfire and the ensuing fire insurance rate increases. We 

are troubled that the Democrats are so eager to federalize private 

and state land, but are unwilling to allow the public to find out 

what the consequences are. 

In conclusion, while this bill is flawed, we look forward to finding 

reasonable compromises on the Floor of the House under an open 

rule where a fair and open debate may occur. 

DON YOUNG. 

ROB BISHOP. 

CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS. 

CHRIS CANNON. 

Æ 


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