Chiricahua National Park Act

To establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Chiricahua National Park Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Commission The term Commission (2) Indian Tribe The term Indian Tribe 25 U.S.C. 5304 (3) Monument The term Monument 54 U.S.C. 320301 (4) National park The term National Park (5) Secretary The term Secretary (6) State The term State 3. Designation of chiricahua national park (a) In general To protect, preserve, and interpret the rhyolitic rock formations, biodiversity, and other natural and cultural resources of the area, the Chiricahua National Monument in the State shall be known and designated as the Chiricahua National Park (1) Incorporation The land and any interest in land that constitute the Monument (as in existence on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act) are incorporated in, and shall be considered to be part of, the National Park. (2) Availability of funds Any funds available for the Monument shall be available for the National Park. (b) Boundaries (1) In general The boundaries of the National Park are as generally depicted on the map entitled Chiricahua National Park Proposed Boundary (2) Availability of map The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (c) References (1) In general Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Chiricahua National Monument Chiricahua National Park (2) Wilderness Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Chiricahua National Monument Wilderness Public Law 94–567 16 U.S.C. 1132 Chiricahua National Park Wilderness (3) Administration The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with— (A) this Act; and (B) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System. 4. Management of Chiricahua National Park (a) Traditional cultural and religious sites (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with Indian Tribes, shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the National Park. (2) Access The Secretary, in accordance with Public Law 95–341 American Indian Religious Freedom Act 42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq. (3) Temporary closures (A) In general In carrying out this section, the Secretary, on request of an Indian Tribe, may temporarily close to the general public one or more specific portions of the National Park to protect traditional cultural and customary uses in the area by members of the Indian Tribe. (B) Requirement Any closure under subparagraph (A) shall be— (i) made in such a manner as to affect the smallest practicable area for the minimum time necessary for the activity to be carried out; and (ii) be consistent with the purpose and intent of Public Law 95–341 American Indian Religious Freedom Act 42 U.S.C. 1996 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. (b) Collection of plants and mineral resources by members of culturally affiliated indian tribes (1) In general The Secretary shall allow an enrolled member of any Indian Tribe that is culturally affiliated with the land located within the boundaries of the National Park to collect plants, including parts or products of plants, and mineral resources within the National Park for noncommercial traditional, religious, customary, and cultural uses. (2) Application (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a collection activity under paragraph (1) shall be— (i) consistent with applicable laws; and (ii) subject to such conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary to protect the resources and values of the National Park. (B) Quantity limitations (i) Existing regulations No quantity limitation contained in a regulation of the National Park Service in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act shall apply to a collection activity under paragraph (1). (ii) Limitations imposed by secretary The Secretary may limit the quantity of plants, including parts or products of plants, and mineral resources collected under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines, through consultation with the Commission, that the limitation is necessary to protect the resources and values of the National Park. (c) Tribal commission (1) In general To ensure that the management of the National Park reflects the expertise and traditional and historical knowledge of members of applicable Indian Tribes, the Secretary shall establish a Tribal commission for the National Park. (2) Purpose The commission shall provide guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of the management plans for, and the policies of, the National Park. (3) Membership The commission shall consist of 1 representative designated by the governing body of each Indian Tribe with a historical association with the area within the boundaries of the National Park. (4) Incorporation of recommendations In developing plans and policies for the National Park, the Secretary shall carefully and fully consider incorporating the traditional and historical knowledge and special expertise of members of the commission or a comparable entity. (5) Written explanation If the Secretary determines not to incorporate a specific recommendation submitted to the Secretary in writing by the commission, the Secretary shall provide to the commission a written explanation of the reason for the determination. (d) Withdrawal from federal mining and mineral leasing laws (1) Withdrawal Subject to valid existing rights in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, the land located within the boundaries of the National Park is withdrawn from— (A) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (B) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing. (2) Acquired land Any land or interest in land that is acquired by the United States after the date of the enactment of this Act for inclusion in the National Park, shall, on acquisition, be immediately withdrawn in accordance with this subsection. (3) Effect Nothing in this subsection affects any recreational use, including hunting or fishing, that is authorized on the land within the boundaries of the National Park under applicable law as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Chiricahua National Park Act This bill redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona as the Chiricahua National Park. The Department of the Interior shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the park. Interior shall allow an enrolled member of any Indian tribe that is culturally affiliated with the land located within the boundaries of the park to collect plants, including parts or products of plants, and mineral resources within the park for noncommercial traditional, religious, customary, and cultural uses. Interior shall establish a tribal commission for the park in order to ensure that its management reflects the expertise and traditional and historical knowledge of members of applicable Indian tribes. The land located within the boundaries of the park is withdrawn from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing. Any land or interest in land that is acquired by the United States for inclusion in the park shall be immediately withdrawn as specified above.