I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 450 
To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 12, 2007 
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington (for himself, Mr. INSLEE, Mrs. MCMORRIS 
RODGERS, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. WU, Ms. HOOLEY, Mr. 
WALDEN of Oregon, and Mr. DEFAZIO) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, 
and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Ice Age Floods Na-
tional Geologic Trail Designation Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) at the end of the last Ice Age, some 12,000 
to 17,000 years ago, a series of cataclysmic floods 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
occurred in what is now the northwest region of the 
United States, leaving a lasting mark of dramatic 
and distinguishing features on the landscape of 
parts of the States of Montana, Idaho, Washington 
and Oregon; 
(2) geological features that have exceptional 
value and quality to illustrate and interpret this ex-
traordinary natural phenomenon are present on Fed-
eral, State, tribal, county, municipal, and private 
land in the region; and 
(3) in 2001, a joint study team headed by the 
National Park Service that included about 70 mem-
bers from public and private entities completed a 
study endorsing the establishment of an Ice Age 
Floods National Geologic Trail— 
(A) to recognize the national significance 
of this phenomenon; and 
(B) to coordinate public and private sector 
entities in the presentation of the story of the 
Ice Age floods. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to des-
ignate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the 
States of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, ena-
bling the public to view, experience, and learn about the 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
features and story of the Ice Age floods through the col-
laborative efforts of public and private entities. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ICE AGE FLOODS; FLOODS.—The term ‘‘Ice 
Age floods’’ or ‘‘floods’’ means the cataclysmic floods 
that occurred in what is now the northwestern 
United States during the last Ice Age from massive, 
rapid and recurring drainage of Glacial Lake in Mis-
soula, Montana. 
(2) PLAN.—The term ‘‘plan’’ means the cooper-
ative management and interpretation plan author-
ized under section 5(e). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(4) TRAIL.—The term ‘‘Trail’’ means the Ice 
Age Floods National Geologic Trail designated by 
section 4(a). 
SEC. 4. ICE AGE FLOODS NATIONAL GEOLOGIC TRAIL. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—In order to provide for public ap-
preciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally 
significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age 
floods and to promote collaborative efforts for interpreta-
tion and education among public and private entities lo-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
other public agencies and private entities, the Secretary 
may establish and operate a trail management office at 
a central location within the vicinity of the Trail. 
(d) INTERPRETIVE FACILITIES.—The Secretary may 
plan, design, and construct interpretive facilities for sites 
associated with the Trail if the facilities are constructed 
in partnership with State, local, tribal, or non-profit enti-
ties and are consistent with the plan. 
(e) MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
funds are made available to carry out this Act, the 
Secretary shall prepare a cooperative management 
and interpretation plan for the Trail. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall pre-
pare the plan in consultation with— 
(A) State, local, and tribal governments; 
(B) the Ice Age Floods Institute; 
(C) private property owners; and 
(D) other interested parties. 
(3) CONTENTS.—The plan shall— 
(A) confirm and, if appropriate, expand on 
the inventory of features of the floods contained 
in the National Park Service study entitled ‘‘Ice 
Age Floods, Study of Alternatives and Environ-
mental Assessment’’ (February 2001) by— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
(i) locating features more accurately; 
(ii) improving the description of fea-
tures; and 
(iii) reevaluating the features in terms 
of their interpretive potential; 
(B) review and, if appropriate, modify the 
map of the Trail referred to in section 4(b); 
(C) describe strategies for the coordinated 
development of the Trail, including an interpre-
tive plan for facilities, waysides, roadside pull-
outs, exhibits, media, and programs that 
present the story of the floods to the public ef-
fectively; and 
(D) identify potential partnering opportu-
nities in the development of interpretive facili-
ties and educational programs to educate the 
public about the story of the floods. 
(f) COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to facilitate the de-
velopment of coordinated interpretation, education, 
resource stewardship, visitor facility development 
and operation, and scientific research associated 
with the Trail and to promote more efficient admin-
istration of the sites associated with the Trail, the 
Secretary may enter into cooperative management 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
agreements with appropriate officials in the States 
of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon in ac-
cordance with the authority provided for units of the 
National Park System under section 3(l) of Public 
Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–2(l)). 
(2) AUTHORITY.—For purposes of this sub-
section only, the Trail shall be considered a unit of 
the National Park System. 
(g) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary 
may enter into cooperative agreements with public or pri-
vate entities to carry out this Act. 
(h) EFFECT
ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.— 
Nothing in this Act— 
(1) requires any private property owner to allow 
public access (including Federal, State, or local gov-
ernment access) to private property; or 
(2) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or 
local law with respect to public access to or use of 
private land. 
(i) LIABILITY.—Designation of the Trail by section 
4(a) does not create any liability for, or affect any liability 
under any law of, any private property owner with respect 
to any person injured on the private property. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as are necessary to carry out this Act, of which not more 
than $12,000,000 may be used for development of the 
Trail. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
01:57 Jan 15, 2007
Jkt 059196
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H450.IH
H450
jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with BILLS