I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1668
To authorize the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study for
the preservation of the Loess Hills in western Iowa.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 4, 1999
Mr. GANSKE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
A BILL
To authorize the National Park Service to conduct a feasi-
bility study for the preservation of the Loess Hills in
western Iowa.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Loess Hills Preserva-
tion Study Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) the Loess Hills encompasses 600,000 acres
in western Iowa, having been formed by ancient gla-
ciers and hundreds of centuries of westerly winds
blowing soil across the Missouri River, which were
then deposited in Iowa;
(2) this area is the largest Loess formation in
the United States, and one of the two largest in the
world, supporting several species of rare native prai-
rie grasses;
(3) portions of the Loess Hills remain undevel-
oped and provide an important opportunity to pro-
tect and preserve a historic, rare and unique natural
resource;
(4) a program to study the Loess Hills can only
be successfully implemented with the cooperation
and participation of affected local governments and
landowners;
(5) in 1986, the Loess Hills area was des-
ignated as a National Natural Landmark in recogni-
tion of the area’s nationally significant natural re-
sources;
(6) although significant natural resources re-
main in the area, increasing development in the area
has threatened the future stability and integrity of
the Loess Hills area; and
(7) the Loess Hills area merits further study by
the National Park Service, in cooperation with the
State of Iowa, local governments, and affected land-
owners, to determine appropriate means to better
protect, preserve, and interpret the significant re-
sources in the area.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to author-
ize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility
study to determine what measures should be taken to pre-
serve the Loess Hills in western Iowa.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Loess Hills’’ means the natural
geological formation of soils in the State of Iowa lo-
cated between Waubansie State Park and Stone
Park, and which includes Plymouth, Woodbury,
Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fre-
mont counties;
(2) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior; and
(3) the term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Iowa.
SEC. 4. PRESERVATION STUDY REGARDING LOESS HILLS
IN WESTERN IOWA.
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall under-
take a study of the Loess Hills area to review options for
the protection and interpretation of the area’s natural,
cultural, and historical resources. The study shall include,
but need not be limited to, an analysis of the suitability
and feasibility of designating the area as—
(1) a unit of the National Park System;
(2) a National Heritage Area or Heritage Cor-
ridor; or
(3) such other designation as may be appro-
priate.
(b) CONSIDERATION OF COOPERATIVE EFFORTS.—
The study shall examine the appropriateness and feasi-
bility of cooperative protection and interpretive efforts be-
tween the United States, the State, its political subdivi-
sions, and non-profit groups or other interested parties.
(c) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall consult in
the preparation of the study with State and local govern-
mental entities, affected landowners, and other interested
public and private organizations and individuals.
(d) COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION.—The study shall
be completed within one year after the date funds are
made available. No later than 30 days after its completion,
the Secretary shall transmit a report of the study, along
with any recommendations, to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and
the Committee on Resources of the United States House
of Representatives.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act $275,000.
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