Chimney Rock National Monument Establishment Act

Bill: 111-s-3303
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2010-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-04
text: 
Chimney Rock National Monument Act of 2010 - Designates the Chimney Rock National Monument in Colorado to preserve, protect, and restore the archeological, anthropological, geological, hydrologic, biological, visual, and scenic resources of Chimney Rock. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Monument for the inclusion of significant archaeological resources discovered on adjacent public land. 
 
Requires management of, and authorizes use of, the Monument as a unit of San Juan National Forest. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out vegetative management treatments within the Monument, with the exception of timber harvesting and the use of prescribed fire, which may only be used when necessary to address the risk of wildfire, insects, or diseases.
 
Prohibits uses of the Monument other than those authorized by the Secretary. Includes as authorized uses: (1) construction of a visitor's center and related exhibit and curatorial facilities to interpret the Monument's scientific and cultural resources; (2) scientific research (including archaeological research) and educational and interpretive uses; (3) acquisition and display of artifacts; (4) recreational use of mountain bikes and motorized vehicles; (5) installation and maintenance of a certain public utility right of way; and (6) grazing uses. 
 
Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the Monument, which shall include: (1) providing for the continued use of the Monument by Indian tribes for traditional ceremonies and as a source for traditional plants and other materials; and (2) specifying permitted uses of artifacts. 

action_date: 2010-09-27
text: 
Chimney Rock National Monument Establishment Act - (Sec. 3) Designates the Chimney Rock National Monument in Colorado to preserve, protect, and restore the cultural, historic, natural, educational, and scenic resources of Chimney Rock and adjacent land and to provide for public interpretation and recreation consistent with the protection of such resources. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Monument to reflect the inclusion of significant archaeological resources discovered on adjacent National Forest System land. 
 
(Sec. 4) Sets forth provisions for the administration of the Monument. Permits only such uses of the Monument that would further the purposes specified above. 
 
Requires the Monument to be administered according to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the policy specified in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. 
 
Allows for continued use of the Monument by Indian tribes for traditional ceremonies and as a source of traditional plants and other materials. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out vegetative management treatments within the Monument, with the exception of timber harvesting which shall only be used when necessary for ecosystem restoration or the control of fire, insects, or diseases. 
 
Limits the use of motor vehicles and mountain bikes in the Monument to roads and trails identified as appropriate for such use. 
 
Permits grazing in the Monument where established prior to this Act's enactment. 
 
Prohibits anything in this Act precluding upgrading an existing utility right-of-way through the Monument. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to construct an education and interpretive center to interpret the Monument's scientific and cultural resources for the public. 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the Monument in consultation with Indian tribes having a cultural or historic tie to Chimney Rock. Requires an opportunity for public comment on the plan. 
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire, by purchase from willing sellers, donation, or exchange, land and interests within or adjacent to the Monument. 
 
(Sec. 7) Withdraws federal land in the Monument and any acquired land from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws, except for the issuance of gas pipeline rights-of-way within existing easements. 
 
(Sec. 8) Specifies this Act's effect on: (1) valid water rights, (2) federal reserved water rights, (3) specified tribal rights, (4) fish and wildlife on public lands in Colorado, and (5) buffer zones or private property adjacent to the Monument. 
 
(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 603.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-317.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-317.
action_date: 2010-07-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2010-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-645.
action_date: 2010-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate