I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4944
To designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 22, 2004
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington (for himself, Mr. OTTER, Ms. DUNN, Ms. 
HOOLEY
of 
Oregon, 
Mr. 
NETHERCUTT, 
Mr. 
DEFAZIO, 
Mr. 
BLUMENAUER, Mr. WALDEN of Oregon, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. 
WU, and Mr. BAIRD) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on 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 of 2004’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) At the end of the last Ice Age, some 12,000 
to 17,000 years ago, a series of cataclysmic floods
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 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 
many Federal, State, tribal, county, municipal, and 
non-governmental lands in the region. 
(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 to recognize the na-
tional significance of this phenomenon and to coordi-
nate public and private sector entities in the presen-
tation 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 
Ice Age Floods’ features and story through the collabo-
rative efforts of public and private entities. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act:
(1) TRAIL.—The term ‘‘Trail’’ means the Ice 
Age Floods National Geologic Trail designated in 
section 4. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) FLOODS.—The term ‘‘Ice Age Floods’’ or 
‘‘floods’’ means the cataclysmic floods that occurred 
in what is now the northwestern United States dur-
ing the last Ice Age primarily from massive, rapid 
and recurring drainage of Glacial Lake Missoula. 
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-
cated along the pathways of the floods, there is designated 
the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. 
(b) LOCATION.—The route of the Trail shall gen-
erally follow public roads and highways from the vicinity 
of Missoula in western Montana, across northern Idaho, 
through eastern and southern sections of Washington, and 
across northern Oregon in the vicinity of the Willamette 
Valley and the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Ice Age Floods