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106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4021
To authorize a study to determine the best scientific method for the long-
term protection of California’s giant sequoia groves.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 16, 2000
Mr. RADANOVICH (for himself, Mr. THOMAS, and Mr. DOOLEY) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources
A BILL
To authorize a study to determine the best scientific method
for the long-term protection of California’s giant sequoia
groves.
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 ‘‘Giant Sequoia Groves
Protection and Management Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. STUDY.
(a) STUDY OF GIANT SEQUOIA GROVES.—Within 30
days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture
shall enter into an agreement with and provide funding,
to the National Academy of Sciences (‘‘NAS’’), the Board
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on Agriculture and Natural Resources, (‘‘Board’’), to con-
duct a detailed, comprehensive study of the ecology, man-
agement and protection of sequoia groves within the Se-
quoia National Forest and to provide science-based rec-
ommendations for future management.
(1) CONTENTS.—The study shall identify and
consider—
(A) the best management practices nec-
essary to protect, restore and maintain the
long-term health, and to ensure adequate regen-
eration and expansion of the giant sequoia
groves, including methods of reducing the po-
tential for catastrophic fire and loss to insects
and disease;
(B) the adequacy of existing federal and
state forest management regulations, programs
and practices in the Sequoia National Forest
with regard to the objectives in subparagraph
(1)(A);
(C) the adequacy of existing federal and
state forest management regulations, programs
and practices on the forests outside of the se-
quoia groves in terms of how they affect the
health of the sequoia groves;
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(D) recommendations and conclusions re-
garding how federal and state forest manage-
ment could be coordinated and improved to
achieve the goals in subparagraph (1)(A).
(2) CONSULTATION.—In preparation of the
study, the Board shall consult with the relevant
state and federal regulatory authorities to identify
and evaluate relevant regulations, programs and
practices.
(3) EXISTING LITERATURE.—The Board shall
review and synthesize published literature pertaining
to giant sequoia, including the 1996 Sierra Nevada
Ecosystem Project Report to Congress and its anal-
ysis of giant sequoia health.
(b) REPORT.—No later than 18 months after the
date on which the agreement is entered under subsection
(a), the Board shall submit a final report to the appro-
priate federal agencies, the Congress and the Governor of
California.
(c) FUNDS.—From the funds made available for
roads and trails within the U.S. Forest Service, the Sec-
retary shall provide to the NAS such funds as it requests,
not to exceed $800,000 for the purpose of conducting this
analysis.
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(d) NATIONAL MONUMENTS.—On or after the date
of enactment, no lands within the boundaries of the Se-
quoia National Forest shall be available for proclamation
as a national monument by the President of the United
States, under the authority granted by the Act of June
8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431; popularly known
as the Antiquities Act of 1906) until at least 90 days after
publication of the final report authorized in subsection (b).
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