A bill to establish the White Sands National Park in the State of New Mexico as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

To establish the White Sands National Park in the State of New Mexico as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes. 1. Establishment of White Sands National Park (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Monument The term Monument 54 U.S.C. 320301 (2) Park The term Park (3) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment To protect, preserve, and restore its scenic, scientific, educational, natural, geological, historical, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, hydrological, fish, wildlife, and recreational values and to enhance visitor experiences, there is established in the State of New Mexico the White Sands National Park as a unit of the National Park System. (c) Abolishment of White Sands National Monument (1) Abolishment Due to the establishment of the Park, the Monument is abolished. (2) Incorporation The land and interests in land that comprise the Monument are incorporated in, and shall be considered to be part of, the Park. (d) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the White Sands National Monument White Sands National Park (e) Availability of funds Any funds available for the Monument shall be available for the Park. (f) Administration The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with— (1) this section; and (2) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including section 100101(a), chapter 1003, sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101, and chapter 3201 (g) World Heritage List nomination (1) County concurrence The Secretary shall not submit a nomination for the Park to be included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization unless each county in which the Park is located concurs in the nomination. (2) Army notification Before submitting a nomination for the Park to be included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Secretary shall notify the Secretary of the Army of the intent of the Secretary to nominate the Park. (h) Effect Nothing in this section affects— (1) valid existing rights (including water rights); (2) permits or contracts issued by the Monument; (3) existing agreements, including agreements with the Department of Defense; (4) the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense regarding the restricted airspace above the Park; or (5) the airshed classification of the Park under the Clean Air Act 42 U.S.C. 7401

Summary: This bill establishes the White Sands National Park in New Mexico as a unit of the National Park System in order to protect, preserve, and restore the park's resources and recreational values and to enhance visitor experiences. The bill abolishes the White Sands National Monument and incorporates the lands and interests that comprise the monument in and as a part of the park. The Department of the Interior shall not nominate the park for inclusion on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) unless each county in which the park is located concurs in the nomination. Before submitting such a nomination, Interior must notify the Department of the Army of its intention to nominate the park for inclusion on the list.