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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1728 (105th)

National Park System New Area Studies Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

22 May 1997

Last action

1 September 1998 · Referred

Status

Referred to Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation.

Sponsors

Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5], Rep. Vento, Bruce F. [D-MN-4]

Subjects

Environment, Energy, Taxation, Budget

Source updated

24 March 2026

Environment · Energy · Taxation · Budget

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Summary

National Park Service Administrative Amendment of 1997 -Title I: New Area Establishment - Amends Federal law to repeal provisions which require the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President of the Senate on areas of national significance that have been studied for potential inclusion in the National Park System (NPS) and requiring, within such report, a listing of not less than 12 such areas. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Committee on Resources of the House and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, along with the annual budget, a list of areas recommended for study for potential inclusion in the NPS. Requires the Secretary to give: (1) consideration to those areas that have the greatest potential to meet the established criteria of national significance, suitability, and feasibility; and (2) special consideration to themes, sites, and resources not already adequately represented in the NPS as identified in the NPS Plan to be developed under the National Park System Reform Act of 1995. Prohibits studies of potential areas for inclusion in the NPS from being initiated after the enactment of this Act, except as specifically authorized by an Act of Congress. Provides that nothing in this Act shall: (1) limit the authority of the National Park Service to conduct preliminary resource assessments, gather data on potential study areas, provide technical and planning assistance, prepare or process nominations for administrative designations, update previous studies, or complete reconnaissance surveys of individual areas requiring a total expenditure of less than $25,000; or (2) be construed to apply to the study of any river segment or any trail for potential addition to the national wild and scenic rivers system or the national trails system. Directs the Secretary to complete the study for each area for potential inclusion in the NPS within three complete fiscal years following the date of enactment of specific legislation providing for the study. Requires: (1) each study to consider specified factors, including similar resources already protected, costs, public support, and alternatives for protecting the area; (2) each study to be completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and (3) the letter transmitting each completed study to the Congress to contain a recommendation regarding the Secretary's preferred management option for the area. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a single office to be assigned to prepare all new area studies and to implement other new area functions; and (2) submit to such Committees, along with the annual budget, a list of areas which have been previously studied which contain primarily historical resources, and a list of areas which have been previously studied which contain primarily natural resources, in numerical order of priority for addition to the NPS. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 22 May 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 22 May 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 22 May 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 2 June 1997

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

    Source: Committee

  5. 2 June 1997

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.

    Source: Committee

  6. 24 February 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 11 June 1998

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  8. 11 June 1998

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 17 June 1998

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  10. 17 June 1998

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  11. 14 July 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 345.

    Source: Calendars

  12. 14 July 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-612.

    Source: Committee

  13. 14 July 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-612.

    Source: Committee

  14. 3 August 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 3 August 1998

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  16. 3 August 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  17. 3 August 1998

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  18. 3 August 1998

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6912-6913)

    Source: Floor

  19. 3 August 1998

    Floor

    Mr. Jones moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  20. 31 August 1998

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  21. 1 September 1998

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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