Walnut Canyon Study Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-722
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2007-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arizona
Boundaries
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Consultants
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Land transfers
Land use
National forests
National monuments
National parks
National recreation areas
Natural areas

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-01
text: 
Walnut Canyon Study Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of specified federal land in Coconino National Forest, state and private lands, and Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona (the study area) to evaluate: (1) the significance of the resources and public values of the study area as the resources and public values pertain to the management objectives of the Forest Service and the National Park Service (NPS); (2) the opportunities for maintaining existing public uses; and (3) a range of options for managing and conserving resources by the NPS or the Forest Service, or by both agencies, including the feasibility of a boundary adjustment to the Monument, designation of the study area as a National Recreation Area, maintaining the study area as managed by the Forest Service, and any other designation or management option that will accomplish the protection of resources and the maintenance of public use and access for such area. 
 
Requires the Secretaries to: (1) designate a lead agency; (2) consult with appropriate federal, state, county, and local government entities; (3) contract with a third-party consultant with experience in park and land use planning to prepare a draft study; and (4) collaborate with the Forest Supervisor of the Coconino National Forest, the Superintendent of the Flagstaff Area National Monuments, the Flagstaff City Council, and Coconino County Board of Supervisors in developing a scope of work for the draft study under the guidance of the third-party consultant. 

action_date: 2007-09-17
text: 
Walnut Canyon Study Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of an area identified as the Walnut Canyon Proposed Study Area (the study area) to assess and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the suitability and feasibility of designating all or part of the study area as an addition to Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona; and (2) continued management of the study area by the Forest Service, or any other designation or management option that would provide for protection of resources within the study area and continued access to, and use of, the study area by the public. 
 
Requires the Secretaries to provide for public comment in the preparation of the study, including with appropriate federal, state, and local governmental entities. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 371.
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-173.
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-173.
action_date: 2007-07-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-04-26
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-88.
action_date: 2007-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-03-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2490-2491)
action_date: 2007-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate