I
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3630
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study
to determine the national significance of the Miami Circle site in the
State of Florida and the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in
the National Park System as part of Biscayne National Park, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 24, 2002
Mrs. MEEK of Florida (for herself, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, and Ms. ROS-
LEHTINEN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Resources
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special
resource study to determine the national significance of
the Miami Circle site in the State of Florida and the
suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National
Park System as part of Biscayne National Park, 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. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) the Tequesta Indians were one of the ear-
liest groups to establish permanent villages in south-
east Florida;
(2) the Tequestas had one of only two North
American civilizations that thrived and developed
into a complex social chiefdom without an agricul-
tural base;
(3) the Tequesta sites that remain preserved
today are rare;
(4) the discovery of the Miami Circle, occupied
by the Tequesta approximately 2,000 years ago, pre-
sents a valuable new opportunity to learn more
about the Tequesta culture; and
(5) Biscayne National Park also contains and
protects several prehistoric Tequesta sites.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to direct
the Secretary to conduct a special resource study to deter-
mine the national significance of the Miami Circle site as
well as the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the
National Park System as part of Biscayne National Park.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) MIAMI CIRCLE.—The term ‘‘Miami Circle’’
means the property in Miami-Dade County of the
State of Florida consisting of the three parcels de-
scribed in Exhibit A in the appendix to the summons
to show cause and notice of eminent domain pro-
ceedings, filed February 18, 1999, in Miami-Dade
County v. Brickell Point, Ltd., in the circuit court
of the 11th judicial circuit of Florida in and for
Miami-Dade County.
(2) PARK.—The term ‘‘Park’’ means Biscayne
National Park in the State of Florida.
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Di-
rector of the National Park Service.
SEC. 3. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the
date funds are made available, the Secretary shall conduct
a special resource study as described in subsection (b). In
conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult with the
appropriate American Indian tribes and other interested
groups and organizations.
(b) COMPONENTS.—In addition to a determination of
national significance, feasibility, and suitability, the spe-
cial resource study shall include the analysis and rec-
ommendations of the Secretary with respect to—
(1) which, if any, particular areas of or sur-
rounding the Miami Circle should be included in the
Park;