I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4476
To provide for the development of a plan and a management review of
the National Park System and to reform the process by which areas
are considered for addition to the National Park System, and for other
purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 24, 1994
Mr. HEFLEY (for himself, Mr. VENTO, and Mr. HANSEN) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To provide for the development of a plan and a management
review of the National Park System and to reform the
process by which areas are considered for addition to
the National Park System, 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 ‘‘National Park System
Reform Act of 1994’’.
TITLE I—NATIONAL PARK
SYSTEM PLAN
SEC. 101. PREPARATION OF NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM PLAN.
(a) PREPARATION OF PLAN.—The Secretary of the
Interior (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’), acting through the Director of the National Park
Service, shall prepare a National Park System Plan (here-
inafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘plan’’) to guide the
direction of the National Park System into the next cen-
tury. The plan shall include each of the following:
(1) A statement of goals and objectives for use
in defining the mission and role of the National
Park Service in preserving our national natural and
cultural heritage, relative to other efforts at the
Federal, State, local, and private levels.
(2) Detailed criteria to be used in determining
which natural and cultural resources are appropriate
for inclusion as units of the National Park System.
(3) Identification of what constitutes adequate
representation of a particular resource type and
which aspects of the national heritage are adequately
represented in the existing National Park System or
in other protected areas.
(4) Identification of appropriate aspects of the
national heritage not currently represented in the
National Park System.
(5) Priorities of the themes and types of re-
sources which should be added to the National Park
System in order to provide more complete represen-
tation of our Nation’s heritage.
(6) A statement of the role of the National
Park Service with respect to such topics as preserva-
tion of natural areas and ecosystems, preservation of
industrial America, preservation of nonphysical cul-
tural resources, and provision of outdoor recreation
opportunities.
(7) A statement of what areas constitute units
of the – National Park System and the distinction
between units of the system, affiliated areas, and
other areas within the system.
(b) CONSULTATION.—During the preparation of the
plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with
other Federal land managing agencies, State and local of-
ficials, the National Park System Advisory Board, re-
source management, recreation and scholarly organiza-
tions and other interested parties as the Secretary deems
advisable. These consultations shall also include appro-
priate opportunities for public review and comment.
(c) TRANSMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Prior to the end
of the third complete fiscal year commencing after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit
the plan developed under this section to the Committee
on Natural Resources of the United States House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the United States Senate.
SEC. 102. MANAGEMENT REVIEW OF NATIONAL PARK SYS-
TEM.
(a) REVIEW.—(1) Using the National Park System
Plan prepared pursuant to section 101 as a guide, the Sec-
retary shall review the existing National Park System to
determine whether there are more appropriate alternatives
for managing specific units or portions of units within the
system, including partnerships or direct management by
States, local governments, other agencies and the private
sector. The Secretary shall develop a report which contains
a list of areas within the National Park System where Na-
tional Park Service management should be modified or
terminated.
(2) In developing the list under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall consider such factors as duplication within
the National Park System, better representation of a par-
ticular resource type under management of another entity,
lack of significance, lack of management feasibility, cost,
lack of visitor accessibility, modifications that change the
character of the resource, lack of collaboration to protect
resources, suitability for management by another agency,
and the compatibility of the resource with the present mis-
sion and role of the National Park Service.
(3) For any areas for which termination of National
Park Service management is recommended, the Secretary
shall make recommendations regarding management by an
entity or entities other than the National Park Service.
For any area determined to have national significance,
prior to including such area on the list under paragraph
(1) the Secretary shall identify feasible alternatives to Na-
tional Park Service management which will protect the re-
sources thereof and assure continued public access there-
to.
(b) CONSULTATION.—In developing the list referred
to in subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with other
Federal land managing agencies, State and local officials,
the National Park System Advisory Board, resource man-
agement, recreation and scholarly organizations and other
interested parties as the Secretary deems advisable. These
consultations shall also include appropriate opportunities
for public review and comment.
(c) TRANSMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1
year after the Secretary completes the plan referred to in
section 101 of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit the
report developed under this section simultaneously to the
Natural Resources Committee of the United States House
of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the United States Senate. The re-
port shall contain the recommendations of the Secretary
concerning modifications or termination of National Park
Service management for any areas within the National
Park System and the recommendations regarding alter-
native management by an entity or entities other than the
National Park Service.
SEC. 103. NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM REVIEW COMMISSION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.—If the Sec-
retary fails to transmit the report developed under section
102 within the 1-year period specified in section 102, a
National Park System Review Commission shall be estab-
lished to review existing National Park System units to
determine whether there are more appropriate alternatives
for managing specific units or portions thereof. Within one
year after the date of its establishment, the Commission
shall prepare and transmit to the Natural Resources Com-
mittee of the United States House of Representatives and
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
United States Senate a report containing a list of National
Park System units or portions thereof where National