79–010

Calendar No. 886

106TH CONGRESS REPORT

2d Session " ! SENATE 106–441

CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE ACT

SEPTEMBER 29, 2000.—Ordered to be printed

Filed under authority of the order of the Senate of September 28 (legislative day,

September 22), 2000

Mr. MURKOWSKI, from the Committee on Energy and Natural

Resources, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany S. 2749]

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was

referred the bill (S. 2749) to establish the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada, to facilitate the interpretation of the

history of development and use of trails in the settling of the western portion of the United States, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that

the bill do pass.

PURPOSE OF THE MEASURE

The purpose of S. 2749 is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish the California Trail Interpretive Center near Elko,

Nevada to interpret the history of development and use of the California Trail in settling the West.

BACKGROUND AND NEED

The California Trail, stretching from the Missouri River westward to the California frontier, was the route of the greatest mass

migration in American history. The trail was used by settlers and

prospectors as they made their way west during the mid-1800’s, its

use exploding with the discovery of gold in California in 1848. Over

300,000 people emigrated west along the California Trail.

In 1992, the California National Historic Trail was established

by Public Law 102–328 as a component of the National Trails System. National historic trails are extended trails of national historical significance which follow as closely as practicable the original

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trails or routes of travel. The primary purpose of national historic

trails is the identification and protection of the historic route and

its historic remnants and artifacts for public use and enjoyment.

The National Trails System Act allows the establishment of interpretive centers and other facilities along trails in order to provide

for public understanding and enjoyment.

S. 2749 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through

the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to plan, construct

and operate a visitor center along the California Trail, near the city

of Elko, Nevada. The location is at the junction of the California

Trail and the Hastings Cutoff, the route on which the ill-fated

Donner Party wandered for 31 days, setting the stage for their

tragic attempt to cross the Sierra Nevada.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

S. 2749 was introduced by Senator Reid on June 19, 2000. The

Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation and Recreation held a hearing on S. 2749 on September 14, 2000. At the

business meeting on September 20, 2000, the Committee on Energy

and Natural Resources ordered S. 2749 favorably reported.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open business session on September 20, 2000, by a unanimous voice vote of

a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 2749.

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1 designates the bill’s short title.

Section 2 contains congressional findings and purposes.

Section 3 provides definitions for key terms used in the legislation, including the term ‘‘California Trail,’’ which means the California National Historic Trail established under section 5(a)(18) of

the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)(18)).

Section 4(a) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (acting

through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management) to establish the California Trail Interpretive Center (Center) near the city

of Elko, Nevada.

Subsection (b) requires the Secretary, in carrying out subsection

(a), to consider the findings of the master plan study for the Center

and to initiate a plan for the development of the Center.

Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to: (1) acquire land and

interests in land for the construction of the Center by donation,

purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange; (2) provide for local involvement concerning the development and operation of the Center by the Advisory Board for the National Historic

California Emigrant Trails Interpretive Center; (3) periodically prepare a budget and funding request that allows a Federal agency to

carry out the maintenance and operation of the Center; (4) to enter

into cooperative agreements with the State to provide assistance in

removal of snow from roads and for rescue, firefighting, and law

enforcement, and with Federal, State, or local agencies to develop

or operate facilities and services to carry out this legislation; and

(5) to accept donations of funds, property, or services, including

one-time contributions for the Center of $3 million from the State

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of Nevada, $1 million from Elko County, Nevada, and $2 million

from the city of Elko, Nevada. Section 5 authorizes the appropriation of $12 million to carry out

this legislation.

COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

The Congressional Budget Office cost estimate report had not

been received at the time the report was filed. When the report becomes available, the Chairman will request that it be printed in

the Congressional Record for the advice of the Senate.

REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing

Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following evaluation

of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in carrying out

S. 2749. The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of imposing Government-established standard or significant economic responsibilities on private individuals and businesses.

No personal information would be collected in administering the

program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal privacy.

Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the enactment of S. 2749, as ordered reported.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

On September 15, 2000, the Committee on Energy and Natural

Resources requested legislative reports from the Department of the

Interior and the Office of Management and Budget setting forth

Executive agency recommendations on S. 2749. These reports had

not been received at the time the report on S. 2749 was filed. When

the reports become available, the Chairman will request that they

be printed in the Congressional Record for the Advice of the Senate. The testimony provided by the Bureau of Land Management

at the Subcommittee hearing follows:

STATEMENT OF HENRI BISSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR

RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND PLANNING, BUREAU OF

LAND MANAGEMENT

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify

today on S. 2749. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

supports with recommended modification this bill to establish the creation of the California Trail Interpretive Center

in Elko, Nevada.

During the 19th century westward movement, the occurrence of hot springs, combined with the availability of feed

and fresh water, gave rise to the community which is

today the City of Elko—a well-remembered location along

the Overland Trail. Over 300,000 emigrants passed over

this ground on their way west between 1840 and 1869. The

emigrants traveling on the California Trail added to the

population base for the development of the American west,

and in so doing, their numbers discouraged England and

Russia in their efforts to colonize the Pacific Coast. The

early settlers of the State of Nevada were direct descendants of the emigrants who traveled the California Trail.

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This six-month journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, to the

Central Valley of California covering 1,800 miles, saw

twice as many emigrants than all other trails combined.

Today, few motorists on Interstate 80 know that they are

traveling along the California Trail. In fact, when aerial

photographs were taken during construction of Interstate

80 in the 1960s, well over a century after the emigrants

had passed by, remnants of the wagon passage could still

be identified. A few of those who passed by the future site

of Elko on their way west later returned to the region,

founding some of the oldest ranches in the county and

what would become, in the words of the late journalist

Lowell Thomas, ‘‘the last real cow county of the West.’’

Today Elko is the economic hub of northeastern Nevada.

Through an interpretive center such as the one proposed

by this legislation, Americans will continue to learn about,

and better understand, one of the most important phases

of American history—the emigrant experience. Through

that great migration, Americans populated the West and

took the first steps toward creation of the great economic

engines that exist today in California, Oregon, Washington

and Nevada.

The proposed site of the center is a 40-acre parcel located approximately 10 miles southwest of Elko near the

Hunter Interchange of Interstate 80, the junction of California Trail and the Hastings Cutoff, which during the

gold rush years of 1849–1850 brought fortune seekers to

the Humboldt River. The Humboldt River and the original

Central & Western Pacific Railroad also cross this area.

The Interpretive Center would support economic diversity

within Elko County. This is a county where an economy,

historically dependent upon livestock, ranching and mining, will clearly benefit from the tourism opportunity. Easy

access from I–80 will entice tourists to stop and learn more

of our nation’s colorful history.

Through strong community support, $6 million has been

committed toward this project, of which the city of Elko

and the County of Elko have committed $2,000,000 and

$1,000,000, respectively. Additionally, the State of Nevada

has committed $3,000,000. Congress previously authorized

$250,000 for a feasibility study which will be completed by

mid-December of this year. S. 2749, is the next logical

step, representing Congress’ commitment to working with

the local partners making the Center a reality, by authorizing a $12 million federal share of the required funding.

In addition, the State of Nevada’s commitment is contingent upon federal funding.

BLM has the expertise to manage and maintain this

Center. To ensure the Center’s efficient operation, we recommend that the bill be modified to include permanent authority for the BLM to accept, retain, and expend donations of funds, property, or services. We also recommend

that the BLM receive permanent authority to collect an

entrance fee from visitors and to use the amounts received

from fees for expenses associated with the Center’s operVerDate 11-MAY-2000 18:31 Sep 30, 2000 Jkt 079010 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6969 E:\HR\OC\SR441.XXX pfrm08 PsN: SR441
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ation. In addition to expected income in the form of visitor

entrance fees authorized by the pilot fee demonstration

program, there will be estimated annual operating costs of

$900,000 for which additional operations and maintenance

funding will be needed on an annual basis if the visitor

center is to provide the educational, informational and

management services envisioned. The land management

priorities in Nevada are such that the annual operating

cost of the Center could not be met at the current funding

levels.

This concludes my statement. I will be happy to answer

any questions you may have.

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing

Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no changes in existing law are made by the bill S. 2749, as ordered reported.

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