[Senate Hearing 107-204] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] S. Hrg. 107-204 MISCELLANEOUS NATIONAL PARKS BILLS ======================================================================= HEARING before the SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS of the COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION on S. 423 S. 1105 S. 941 H.R. 640 S. 1057 __________ JULY 26, 2001 Printed for the use of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources _______ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 76-718 WASHINGTON : 2001 ____________________________________________________________________________ For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpr.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; (202) 512�091800 Fax: (202) 512�092250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402�090001 COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico, Chairman DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii FRANK H. MURKOWSKI, Alaska BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota PETE V. DOMENICI, New Mexico BOB GRAHAM, Florida DON NICKLES, Oklahoma RON WYDEN, Oregon LARRY E. CRAIG, Idaho TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL, Colorado MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana CRAIG THOMAS, Wyoming EVAN BAYH, Indiana RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California CONRAD BURNS, Montana CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York JON KYL, Arizona MARIA CANTWELL, Washington CHUCK HAGEL, Nebraska THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware GORDON SMITH, Oregon Robert M. Simon, Staff Director Sam E. Fowler, Chief Counsel Brian P. Malnak, Republican Staff Director James P. Beirne, Republican Chief Counsel ------ Subcommittee on National Parks DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii, Chairman BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota CRAIG THOMAS, Wyoming BOB GRAHAM, Florida BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL, Colorado MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana CONRAD BURNS, Montana EVAN BAYH, Indiana GORDON SMITH, Oregon CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York CHUCK HAGEL, Nebraska THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware PETE V. DOMENICI, New Mexico Jeff Bingaman and Frank H. Murkowski are Ex Officio Members of the Subcommittee John Watts, Counsel Jeff Mow, Bevinetto Fellow C O N T E N T S ---------- STATEMENTS Page Arnold, Ron, Director, Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments, Cheyenne, WY...................................... 29 Baird, Hon. Brian, U.S. Representative from Washington........... 6 Eshoo, Hon. Anna G., U.S. Representative from California......... 5 Feinstein, Hon. Dianne, U.S. Senator from California............. 2 Lantos, Hon. Tom, U.S. Representative from California............ 3 Leslie, Wayne, Kealakekua, HI.................................... 27 Medeiros, Jim, Sr., Honaunau, HI................................. 25 Reynolds, John J., Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Oakland, CA, accompanied by Chris Powell, Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area....................................... 9 Rust, Audrey C., President, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Menlo Park, CA....................................................... 32 Smith, Hon. Gordon, U.S. Senator from Oregon..................... 8 Thomas, Hon. Craig, U.S. Senator from Wyoming.................... 1 Wu, Hon. David, U.S. Representative from Oregon.................. 23 Wyden, Hon. Ron, U.S. Senator from Oregon........................ 10 APPENDIX Additional material submitted for the record..................... 39 MISCELLANEOUS NATIONAL PARKS BILLS ---------- THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2001 U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on National Parks, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Washington, DC. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:48 p.m. in room SD-366, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Daniel K. Akaka presiding. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. CRAIG THOMAS, U.S. SENATOR FROM WYOMING Senator Thomas. The chairman is held up for a little while. I know some of you have commitments. We will go ahead and get started, and I am sure he will be here soon. Today, we will hear testimony on five legislative bills regarding the National Park Service. Four of the bills adjust boundaries and the fifth bill proposes an exchange to reduce the number of inholdings in Grand Teton National Park. I have introduced S. 1105, along with Senator Enzi, to expedite the acquisition of State-owned inholdings within Grand Teton Park. This legislation ensures that school trustlands within the park will not be developed. In the past few years, the State of Wyoming has become more aggressive in trying to raise funds for their school trustlands. Needless to say, the location of the school trustlands within the park and being in close proximity to Jackson makes them attractive, so we are hopeful that we can make an exchange so there will not be the inholdings, the park can be better managed, and the school sections will bring income back to the schools. In addition, since 1972, Congress has appropriated over $93 million of land acquisition to the Golden Gate Recreation Area. In the 106th Congress we added an additional 105 acres to the park at a cost of $3.5 million. This brings the total cost of lands remaining to be acquired at $66 million. Today, we are hearing testimony on authorizing an additional acreage at a cost of $15 million. The National Park Service has many land acquisition priorities. We need to ensure that we do not tie up our commitments in one park unit. There are also concerns about the north boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. About 8 miles along Highway 1, both local residents and businesses are continually confused by signs on one side which read, Point Reyes National Seashore. The sign on the other side reads, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Perhaps we ought to take a look at those boundaries while we are looking at this bill. Also, there are concerns about the amount of private land within the boundaries of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The situation here is that there are entire neighborhoods and housing subdivisions within the boundary. We are going to take a look at how we handle those subdivisions in the recreation area. So thank all of you for being here, and we will go ahead and move--if you have no objection, Congressman Lantos, we will just start and move right down. [A prepared statement from Senator Feinstein follows:] Prepared Statement of Hon. Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator From California Today, I am pleased to testify in support of legislation to add approximately 5,000 acres of land to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Mateo County, and 3,700 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Ventura County, California. Both of these bills would help protect pristine natural land that is critical habitat for various plant and animal species, and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of people. The Golden Gate Recreational Area property to be added is one of the most visible and important pieces of land on the San Mateo coast north of Half Moon Bay. The largest parcel to be added is a 4,262 acre stretch of land known as the Rancho Corral de Tierra. The Rancho Corral de Tierra is one of the largest undeveloped tracts remaining on the San Mateo Coast and is constantly under threat of development. The mountainous property, which surrounds the coastal towns of Moss Beach and Montara, was previously purchased by the Peninsula Open Space Trust. The Trust has agreed to transfer the land for $30 million. The Federal Government's share would be roughly $15 million. It is this type of public-private partnership that Congress needs to support in our efforts to preserve open space. The ``Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Act of 2001'' has the support of the entire Bay Area Congressional Delegation. Similar legislation is being introduced today in the House of Representatives by Tom Lantos with co-sponsors Anna Eshoo, Nancy Pelosi, George Miller, Lynn Woolsey, Ellen Tauscher, Pete Stark, Mike Thompson, Barbara Lee, Mike Honda, and Zoe Lofgren. The addition of the Rancho Corral de Tierra property will result in the protection of all or part of four watersheds, and several endangered species such as the peregrine falcon, San Bruno elfin butterfly, San Francisco garter snake, and the red-legged frog. Moreover, due to the coastal marine influence and dramatic altitude changes, plants grow on the property that are found nowhere else in the world. This legislation will also reauthorize the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore Advisory Commission for another 20 years. The Advisory Commission was established by Congress in 1972 to provide for the free exchange of ideas between the National Park Service and the public. The Commission holds open and accessible public meetings monthly at which the public has an opportunity to comment on park-related issues. The Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area stretches from West Hollywood in California's Los Angeles County to Point Mugu in Ventura County. This is the largest urban unit of the National Park System, comprising more than 150,000 acres. It is home to a number of natural communities ranging from freshwater wetlands to oak woodlands. It is a critical haven for more than 450 species of animals, including the bobcat and golden eagle. Congressman Elton Gallegly's bill (H.R. 640) will add 3,700 acres of donated public and private lands to the National Recreation Area at no cost to the taxpayer. The 3,700 acres represent the last remaining open space parcels connecting the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills across U.S. Highway 101. Protecting this corridor will promote greater ecosystem health and biodiversity in the region, particularly for larger mammals such as badgers, bobcats, and mountain lions. I have always felt that protecting our nation's unique natural areas should be one of our highest priorities. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area are two of our nation's most heavily visited urban national parks, in close proximity to millions of people. I hope that members of the Subcommittee on National Parks will join me in supporting these park boundary adjustments. I would emphasize, Mr. Chairman, that all transactions are between willing sellers and willing buyers, so I see no reason why the Committee cannot report these measures expeditiously. Thank you for allowing me to testify. STATEMENT OF HON. TOM LANTOS, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA Mr. Lantos. Well, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for holding this hearing, and I am delighted that I am accompanied by my friend, colleague, and neighbor, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, who has been one of the leaders in the field of adding spectacular pieces of California property to our perpetual legacy that we leave for our children and our grandchildren, and Audrey Rust, who is the president of the Peninsula Open Space Trust, and under whose leadership the Peninsula Open Space Trust has been responsible for the protection of thousands of acres of land on the San Francisco peninsula, and has been pivotal in bringing us to the point where we are with respect to this acquisition. With your permission, I would like to submit my prepared statement and just summarize my observations. Senator Thomas. It will be included fully in the record. Mr. Lantos. I appreciate that, Mr. Chairman. This GGNRA Boundary Adjustment Act of 2001 comprises three major parcels of approximately 5,000 acres. I brought you, Mr. Chairman, a set of photos that I would like to present to you. Senator Thomas. Thank you. Mr. Lantos. And as you look at them I think you will probably agree with me that one's soul soars when one sees the spectacular vistas. Our legislation will be financed through a remarkable public-private partnership, 50 percent Federal funding, 50 percent private and State funding. It is unanimously supported not only by the congressional delegation of northern California, both of our U.S. Senators, the county board of supervisors, and a range of organizations much too long to repeat. Our legislation will protect four sensitive watersheds containing steelhead trout, coho salmon, and others. We protect rare and endangered plant and animal species. We protect against development along this spectacular scenic California coastline, and it provides recreational opportunities not only for the millions of citizens of the San Francisco Bay Area, but to the millions of our fellow citizens from all over the United States, and literally millions of visitors from all over the world. I earnestly hope that this legislation will be expedited, and I am deeply grateful for your time. I would like to turn the microphone over to my friend, Anna Eshoo. [The prepared statement of Mr. Lantos follows:] Prepared Statement of Hon. Tom Lantos, U.S. Representative From California Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before your subcommittee today. I am most grateful that your subcommittee is holding hearings today on S. 941, the ``Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2001''. I am the principal sponsor of the companion legislation to S. 941 in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 1953). S. 941 will add over 5,000 acres of pristine natural land to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), one of our nation's most visited national parks. The legislation is sponsored by both California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and has the strong and enthusiastic support of the entire Bay Area Congressional Delegation. Mr. Chairman, the GGNRA is a true national treasure. It provides open space and recreation in the midst of a densely populated urban area and it is one of our Nation's most heavily used national parks. S. 941 would adjust the boundary of the GGNRA to permit the inclusion of lands directly adjacent to existing parkland as well as nearby lands along the Pacific Ocean. The upper parcels of land offer spectacular vistas, sweeping coastal and bay views and stunning headland scenery. Inclusion of these lands would also protect the important habitats of several species of rare or endangered plants and animals. The new additions to the GGNRA will be accessible to more than 6 million people who live within a one hour's drive of the park and will provide national park programs and experiences to millions of national and international visitors. The dramatic ascent of Montara Mountain from the sea, 2,000 feet in just over 1 mile, is a spectacular sight not duplicated anywhere else in the Park and in few other places on the California coast. And we can accomplish permanent protection of these lands through a tripartite partnership involving Federal, State and private contributions. THREE IMPORTANT NEW ADDITIONS TO GGNRA The Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2001 contains three important additions to the GGNRA. The largest parcel, the Rancho Corral de Tierra addition is one of the largest undeveloped parcels on the San Mateo coast. It is comprised of the four main peaks of Montara Mountain rising 2,000 feet from sea level. This 4,262-acre property includes a panorama of amazing views, important watersheds, miles of public trails, and an incredible array of wildlife and plantlife. The Rancho Corral de Tierra shares three miles of boundary with the GGNRA. Its relatively untouched upper elevations preserve rare habitat for several threatened and endangered plant and animal species. The property also contains four important coastal watersheds, which proved riparian corridors for steel head trout, coho salmon and other aquatic species. S. 941 also authorizes the National Park Service to include within the GGNRA the Martini Creek-Devil's Slide Bypass right-of-way, which was purchased by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to build a highway across Montara Mountain. When San Mateo voters overwhelmingly decided in a local referendum in favor of building the Devil's Slide tunnel rather than the Martini Creek Bypass, this right- of-way became obsolete. This property covers approximately 300 acres and divides the Rancho Corral de Tierra property and connects the proposed additions to the GGNRA to existing State parkland, creating a seamless belt of parkland. Once the GGNRA boundary is adjusted through this legislation to include this right-of-way, Caltrans will be able to donate the property to the National Park Service. S. 941 also authorizes the National Park Service to include within the GGNRA boundaries approximately 500 acres of land along the Devil's Slide section of Coastal Highway 1, the scenic highway that winds its way along the entire California coast. These properties will make a logical addition to the park by filling in gaps to adjacent and existing State and Federal parkland. Caltrans either already owns or will acquire these lands when it builds the Devil's Slide tunnel and will then donate these properties for open space use after the tunnel is built. It is not the intention of this legislation, Mr. Chairman, to interfere with Caltrans' responsibility for building the tunnel at Devil's Slide. This legislation will simply make it possible for Caltrans or any other state or local agency to donate th6se properties to the National Park Service when the Devil's Slide tunnel is completed and when the National Park Service has determined that the acquisition of these lands is appropriate. PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP Mr. Chairman, the Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act provides the federal government a unique opportunity to place approximately 5,000 new acres of pristine land under permanent protection. The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) purchased the Rancho Corral de Tierra site for $29.75 million to save the site from development and to preserve this important natural area. POST is a local land conservancy trust in the San Francisco Bay Area and has a remarkable track record in working with and assisting the federal government with the protection of other important open space in the Bay Area. POST has offered to donate a significant amount towards the federal acquisition of the Rancho Corral de Tierra property through private contributions. Under this legislation, the Rancho Corral de Tierra will be preserved through a tripartite partnership between the National Park Service, California State Parks and the Peninsula Open Space Trust. For the Corral de Tierra property, we will seek 50% of the acquisition from the federal government and 50% through state and private contributions. The other properties will be donated by Caltrans. STRONG LOCAL SUPPORT S. 941 enjoys strong local support. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore Citizens Advisory Commission adopted a resolution endorsing this legislation and supporting the addition of these areas into the GGNRA after holding a public hearing and receiving public comment from local residents. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors also passed a resolution supporting enactment of S. 941. The legislation also has the strong support of local environmental advocacy and preservation groups. The proposed additions were studied by POST in accordance with National Park Service criteria and in consultation with National Park Service staff. The study found that the three tracts of land meet the criteria for additions to units of the National Park Service. The study found that the properties will preserve significant natural, scenic and recreational resources that are equal to or unparalleled in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. S. 941 REAUTHORIZES CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION S. 941 will also reauthorize the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore Citizens Advisory Commission for an additional 20 years. The Advisory Commission has been an invaluable resource for park management since its inception in 1972. It provides an important forum for the gathering and receipt of public input, public opinion and public comment and allows the park to maintain constructive and informal contacts with both the private sector and other federal, state and local public agencies. The Advisory Commission aids in strengthening the spirit of cooperation between the National Park Service and the public, encourages private cooperation with otter public agencies, and assists in developing and ensuring that the park's general management plan is implemented. CONCLUSION Mr. Chairman, preserving our country's unique natural areas must be one of our highest national priorities, and it is one of my highest priorities as a Member of Congress. We must preserve and protect these unique and rare areas for our children and grandchildren today or they will be lost forever. Adding these news lands to the GGNRA will provide greater recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy and will allow us to protect these fragile natural areas from encroaching development or other inappropriate uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of this key part of the California coast. The California coast is a true national treasure and with your help we can preserve it for the generations that follow us. I strongly urge your support of S. 941, the Rancho Corral de Tierra Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act of 2001. Thank you. STATEMENT OF HON. ANNA G. ESHOO, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA Ms. Eshoo. Thank you. Thank you to my colleague, my wonderful colleague, Tom Lantos, and to you, Mr. Chairman, for welcoming us and giving us a moment to speak on behalf of an acquisition that we in the bay area, in northern California, in California, and as Americans I think will all be able to applaud and be proud of. I promise to be brief. We not only have a vote on, but we do not want to wear out our welcome. The project enjoys across- the-board support. There is not any opposition, and we in Congress like to see these issues settled at home so that we do not have to become referees, so the meritoriousness of the case has been applauded and embraced by not only organizations, but by elected officials, city and county, and the people at home. It is a smart investment of the taxpayers' Federal dollar. Why? Because we are not asking the Federal Government to put all of the money up. Audrey Rust, if you really knew her, Mr. Chairman, you would want to take her to your State. She is the best of the best, and so private dollars are being invested in this as a magnate for public funds, and so it is, as we say, half and half. I think that this project really speaks to some of the deepest values of the American people. In the bay area, the GGNRA is not just the jewel in the crown, it is the crown, and I would like to think of the addition--good afternoon, Mr. Chairman--the addition of and the acquisition of these pieces of land becoming the southern gateway to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that we will be taking jewels and adding them to that crown. So on behalf of my constituents, my colleagues in the House, and my gratitude to our two Senators, your colleagues, Senators Feinstein and Boxer, and to all the members of this committee, but most especially the chairman and you, Senator Craig, we thank you for this opportunity to come and speak on behalf of something that we just could not be prouder of, and stand behind, and look for your very important support to make this great dream come true. Thank you. Can I give these to you, too? Senator Thomas. If you needed to leave, you could come back. STATEMENT OF HON. BRIAN BAIRD, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM WASHINGTON Mr. Baird. I will be all right I think, sir. Thank you very much. Mr. Chair, Senator Thomas, Thank you very much. David Wu, my colleague from Oregon, is unable to join us. He is, I am sure, over on the floor right now. He was involved in the prior debate. I want to thank you for this brief opportunity to testify in support of S. 423, a bill to expand Fort Clatsop National Historic Site and also to study the feasibility of including Washington State sites. Very briefly, as you know, I am sure, the 200th Anniversary of the Lewis & Clark journey of discovery is coming up. 2003 will be the bicentennial of when they started, and 2005 is when they reached the coast. We are expecting literally millions of visitors from around the country and from around the world. In fact, they are already starting to come in. Fort Clatsop has some valuable area nearby to the current site, and a small expansion would allow it to preserve historical features, and also to provide a better experience for the public. On the Washington State side, there are valuable resources. Let me cite two for example. A place now called Station Camp, where Lewis & Clark had the difficult decision of where do they spend the winter. It was not an easy one. The mouth of the Columbia River is rough country, and they took a vote. What was so remarkable about the vote was that they involved York, who was actually Clark's slave, and Sacagawea in the vote. This was 100 years before suffrage, and more than 60 years before the Emancipation Proclamation, so here we are, a critical site, a critical journey in American history. We would like to commemorate that site. If you were to visit it today it is almost unrecognizable in the sense it has not been touched much since Lewis & Clark, but there is really no recognition of the site to speak of. Also, Fort Canby, which is on the coast of Washington State, currently a State park, we would like to explore some alternatives for working with the Federal Government to commemorate that site. We think the Senate bill is an outstanding one. Congressman Wu, myself, and Congressman Souler have introduced a companion in the House. We look forward to working with this committee and this body to make this a reality. [The prepared statement of Mr. Baird follows:] Prepared Statement of Hon. Brian Baird, U.S. Representative From Washington The Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition is only two years away. In 2003, communities across the nation will begin commemorating the Corps of Discovery and the promise that they brought back. It is my hope that during this commemoration, Americans will visit important stops along this journey of discovery in the Third Congressional District, including Station Camp and Fort Canby State Park. On November 15, 1805, William Clark stopped at Station Camp, sometimes referred to as Megler's Rest, and proclaimed, I am in ``full view of the ocean.'' It was at this historic site that Clark penned his famous map indicating that the Corps had completed one of Thomas Jefferson's directives--to reach the Pacific Ocean. This is also the site of the historic vote taken by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to determine where the Corps would camp for the winter. Although the year, was 1805, nearly 60 years before the emancipation of the slaves and a century before women were given the privilege of voting, Lewis and Clark called for a vote by the entire Corps. Both Sacagawea, the Shoshone interpreter, and York, Clark's slave, were allowed an equal vote with all other members of the Corps. This historic moment occurred at Station Camp. It is indicative of the forward thinking employed by the Captains throughout the journey which led to their incredible level of success. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing legislation with Congressman Wu that seeks to expand the Ft. Clatsop National Memorial. This is the only unit in the National Park System that is solely dedicated to the amazing journey of Lewis and Clark. Of great importance to my congressional district, the legislation calls for the Secretary of the Interior to study the inclusion of the ``Station Camp'' site and Fort Canby within the Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The legislation calls for the National Park Service to work collaboratively with the States of Washington and Oregon and Indian tribes on the expansion of Fort Clatsop to study including these new sites before the start of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, planned to take place from 2003 to 2006. I appreciate your careful consideration of this request for inclusion of these important historical sites within the Fort Clatsop National Memorial. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much for your statement. Do you have any questions? Senator Thomas. No, I do not, thank you. Senator Akaka. I do not have any questions. I again want to say thank you. I would like to take a minute to make a brief statement about S. 1057, legislation which I recently introduced with my colleague, Senator Inouye, to provide authority to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, formerly the City of Refuge National Historical Park, to expand its boundaries by 238 acres, the preferred option in recent park service studies. The modest expansion of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, which means ``a place of refuge at Honaunau,'' would allow for the inclusion of an area that contains cultural and historical resources of national significance. This expansion has been in the making for a long time. For over 30 years, the National Park Service has planned for the eventual expansion of the park from its existing 180 acres in order to protect the spiritual nature of the area. The 1977 master plan for Pu'uhonua proposed several expansions, including the one we are addressing in this hearing. In 1992, a boundary study was prepared identifying options for expansion, once again including consideration of the Ki'ilae village parcel. At the time, the owners of the Ki'ilae village property had not expressed a desire to sell. In July 2000, the situation changed dramatically when the land was sold to a development corporation. The proposed development would subdivide approximately 804 acres within Ki'ilae and the neighboring ahupua'a, which are Native Hawaiian mountain-to-sea resource management areas. The new owners have indicated an interest in selling a 238- acre parcel of the land, and have had discussions with the National Park Service. At the same time, the Park Service undertook a resource reconnaissance study and an appraisal of the property. Public meetings have been held to discuss the potential expansion with the community. Expansion is broadly supported, and I would like to submit letters from Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii County Council Member Julie Jacobson for the record. All of the witnesses testifying today have traveled a long distance to be here. I would like to welcome all of you. I am especially pleased to welcome two witnesses from the Aloha State, Mr. Jim Medeiros, Sr., and Mr. Wayne Leslie, who will be testifying on the Pu'uhonua bill a little later this afternoon. Senator Feinstein has asked to have her statements including in the record related to S. 941, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area expansion, and H.R. 640, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area legislation, and without objection they will be included in the record. Mr. John Reynolds, Regional Director of the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service is the next witness, so will you be seated? Senator Smith. Well, we are glad to have Senator Smith on the dais with us, and Mr. Reynolds, will you hold a second while I have Senator Smith make his statement? STATEMENT OF HON. GORDON SMITH, U.S. SENATOR FROM OREGON Senator Smith. Thank you very much, Senator Akaka, and Senator Thomas, for holding this hearing. I want to extend a warm welcome to Don Striker, who is the superintendent of the Fort Clatsop National Memorial. We both share a love of Oregon history, and I am very glad to have him here today. We are rapidly approaching, Mr. Chairman, the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark journey which ended at Fort Clatsop that they established at the most remote corner in what is today the State of Oregon. They spent 106 rainy days there and on Christmas Day of 1805 William Clark wrote, ``the day proved showery, wet, and disagreeable.'' Although the winter weather in Oregon has not changed much, much of our history has been very bright and clear for the two centuries since then in terms of the westward expansion. I know that I am not alone in my appreciation of Lewis & Clark history. We have seen the wonderful history by Mr. Ambrose on undaunted courage, and I think America is very much awakening to the bicentennial that we will celebrate of this great journey of discovery. The legislation I have cosponsored with Senators Wyden and Murray is an important and timely endeavor to expand the Fort Clatsop National Memorial in Oregon. It will authorize the extension of the park's boundaries to include the trail from Fort Clatsop to the Pacific Ocean. Our legislation will also promote a study of Station Camp in Washington State to determine its suitability for inclusion in the National Park System. Like all those involved in this project, from the wiling sellers of the land to those fluffing up their coonskin hats to celebrate this bicentennial, I am excited to earn the support of my colleagues in the Senate and make this legislation a unanimous reality. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Akaka. Thank you for your statement, Senator Smith, and thank you for being here. Mr. Reynolds, it is nice to see you again. STATEMENT OF JOHN J. REYNOLDS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, PACIFIC WEST REGION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OAKLAND, CA, ACCOMPANIED BY CHRIS POWELL, SUPERINTENDENT, GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Mr. Reynolds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a pleasure to be here, and may I just say to the three of you, you are all three people who are highly and deeply respected around the National Park Service, and we appreciate the degree to which you care for the parks and for how they are administered, and thank you. It is always an honor to appear before you. I assume, sir, that I should go through the testimony for each of the five areas and then have questions, or would you like me to pause between each one? Senator Akaka. Well, let me welcome you. Welcome to the subcommittee. Mr. Reynolds. Oh, I am sorry. My apologies. Senator Akaka. We will include your full statement on each bill in the hearing record, so please feel free to summarize your remarks. Please proceed with your statements on all of the bills in whatever order you would like, and then we will go to questions from members of the committee. That will be the order, so with that, will you please proceed? Mr. Reynolds. Thank you, sir. Thank you for the opportunity to present the Department of the Interior's views on these several bills. The first is S. 423, a bill to adjust the boundaries of Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The Department of the Interior supports S. 423, to expand the boundaries of Fort Clatsop National Memorial. This bill will authorize implementation of the 1995 general management plan for the memorial, which calls for the establishment of a trail linkage between Fort Clatsop and the Pacific Ocean and adds sufficient land to the memorial to provide for the protection of scenic and natural resources that frame the park setting. This bill enjoys broad bipartisan support at all levels, including local and State bicentennial planning committees and Oregon and Washington, Clatsop County, the Chinook Tribe, and the National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. S. 423 also includes a provision to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the area known as Station Camp, which is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, and is where Lewis and Clark camped from November 15 through 24, 1805. The Department supports this study provision in concept. This concludes my testimony on S. 423. Second is S. 941, a bill to revise the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and to extend the term of the advisory commission for the recreation area. The Department of the Interior supports S. 941. S. 941 would add lands to the recreation area known as the Rancho Corral de Tierra and the Devil's Slide Area. The Rancho property, approximately 4,262 acres, has recently been acquired by the Peninsula Open Space Trust, known as POST, and is being held in anticipation of being included within the boundaries of the recreation area. In addition to the Corral de Tierra property, S. 941 would also include the area known as the Devil's Slide. These lands represent an unparalleled opportunity to include within the recreation area lands of exceptional natural, scenic, and recreational value. There are several options under consideration for the long-term stewardship of these lands, including partnership arrangements involving the National Park Service, the California State parks, and POST. That concludes my testimony concerning S. 941. Third is S. 1057, a bill to adjust the boundaries of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. Senator Akaka. Mr. Reynolds, may I ask you to suspend? Mr. Reynolds. Of course. Senator Akaka. We have Senator Wyden from Oregon who is here, and I would like to give him an opportunity to make his statement. STATEMENT OF HON. RON WYDEN, U.S. SENATOR FROM OREGON Senator Wyden. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank you for your courtesy, and to our witness. I will be very brief. Senator Akaka. Without objection. Senator Wyden. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I heard part of my colleague's remarks, and he and I and Senator Murray have all been working together on this legislation for some months. I was recently in Astoria on the coast for a special program put together by Don Striker, who I think is with us today, and I cannot recall a time in our State where I have seen this level of enthusiasm. I mean, this is an extraordinary coming together of citizens in both the public and the private sector. Of course, there is going to be a huge influx of visitors. There will be over a 1/4 million people who are going to visit the Fort Clatsop Memorial during the bicentennial years. Don Striker and his team have really done this job right. Suffice it to say, Senator Smith and I made a real challenge. We made it clear that this was not going to be something where Washington, D.C. could just come on in and wave a wand and suddenly make vast sums of money and land come together. These folks went out and mobilized the community. The Park Service now realizes that this is one of their highest priorities, and this is an example of how you go about doing the job right, working with local landowners and bringing together the relevant Government agencies in a partnership effort. I thank you especially for letting me, having been late, come on in and offer this comment, and we appreciate very much the support, and also special praise to Don Striker and his whole team. That day when I was in Astoria I was just struck as I looked out over the audience. There were hundreds of people there at all of the individual contributions, and that is what makes these programs a treasure, and we appreciate your help. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much, Senator Wyden. We appreciate your statement. Senator Wyden. Thank you. Senator Akaka. Mr. Reynolds, will you continue? Mr. Reynolds. Thank you, sir. Senator Wyden, thank you very much. The third bill is S. 1057, the bill to adjust the boundaries of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii. The Department supports S. 1057. This legislation will adjust the authorized boundary of the park to include the remainder of Ki'ilae Village within the park. The proposed expansion is located on lands immediately adjacent to, but outside of the existing southern park boundary. It would add 238 acres to the 182 acres presently within the park. The addition of another 165 acres would also be authorized if those lands are acquired in the future. Both parcels contain important physical remains of the Native Hawaiian culture that is directly associated with the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. There is strong local support to protect and include these resources within the park. This reflects the high level of cooperation and strong commitment of local communities and governments towards the park. That concludes my testimony on S. 1057. The fourth bill is S. 1105, a bill to provide for the completion of the acquisition of State of Wyoming lands within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. The Department supports the legislation, and thanks Senator Thomas and Senator Enzi for their continued interest and support of the National Park System and Grand Teton National Park. Jack Neckels actually tells me, Senator Thomas, that you folks have been working on this for a long, long time to bring this to a conclusion. S. 1105 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire from the State of Wyoming 1,366.32 acres of land and mineral interests on 39.59 acres, all within the current boundary of Grand Teton National Park, in exchange for other Federal lands and/or other Federal assets of equal value. The legislation also details the process under which the exchange would take place. There is broad support for making these exchanges, and that support has been expressed in a variety of ways, including a letter to Secretary Norton from Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer. Mr. Chairman, that concludes my testimony on S. 1105. Finally, testimony on H.R. 640, a bill to adjust the boundaries of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in southern California. The Department supports H.R. 640. This legislation will adjust the authorized boundary of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to encompass the most important wildlife corridor in the area. The legislation requires that acquisition of lands within the expansion area be accomplished only through donation, a provision that reflects the high level of cooperation and strong commitment of local communities and governments towards the park. Acquisition of these lands is important to protect critical habitat required for the free movement and migration of wildlife, specifically mountain lions, bobcats, and similar species, between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills, thereby preventing local extinction of species in the park. Together with existing National Park Service lands, these three parcels form the only remaining wildlife corridor in the region which connects the park to the national forestlands to the north. In addition, this legislation would protect a significant portion of Upper Las Virgenes Creek, which is part of the Malibou Creek Watershed, the largest fresh water system within the recreation area which flows into the Santa Monica Bay, on which approximately 30 million people recreate annually, so the clean water is important in that area. Mr. Chairman, we are pleased to support this proposal, and all the lands reserved through the efforts of local communities and governments for transfer to the National Park Service may be worth as much as $60 million under current market conditions. The legislation before you today is a testament to the cooperation and commitment of the citizens, local governments, and the park agencies in the Santa Monica Mountains. This concludes my testimony on all five bills. I will be more than happy to answer any questions that any of you may have on any of the bills, and with me today, as you know, is Superintendent Don Striker from Fort Clatsop, Superintendent Geri Bell from Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, and Chris Powell from Golden Gate National Recreation Area, who is on assignment on an executive leadership training program. Thank you, sir. [The prepared statements of Mr. Reynolds on S. 423, S. 941, S. 1057, S. 1105, and H.R. 640 follow:] Prepared Statements of John J. Reynolds, Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Oakland, CA S. 423 Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the views of the Department of the Interior on S. 423, S. 941, S. 1057, S. 1105, and H.R. 640. S. 423, a bill to adjust the boundaries of Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The Department of the Interior supports S. 423 with a technical amendment as outlined in this testimony. This legislation will expand the boundaries of Fort Clatsop National Memorial, as called for in the site's General Management Plan, to include lands on which a trail linkage between Fort Clatsop and the Pacific Ocean will be established. The bill would also include within the boundary lands that will create a buffer zone to protect the scenic and natural resources that frame the park setting. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off with their Corps of Discovery on May 14, 1804 on an incredible journey that was to be a pivotal event in helping to shape the young United States. Their instructions from President Thomas Jefferson were to explore the Missouri River to its source, establish the most direct land route to the Pacific Ocean, and to make scientific and geographic observations along the way. A year and a half later, having traversed the continent, the expedition arrived at the Pacific Ocean and soon thereafter found a site that was suitable for winter quarters on what is known today as the Lewis and Clark River. On December 8, 1805, the expedition members began building a fort, and by Christmas Eve they were under shelter. They named the fort for the friendly local Indian tribe, the Clatsops. It would be their home for the next three months. Life at the fort was far from pleasant. It rained every day but 12 of the 106 days at Fort Clatsop. Clothing rotted and fleas infested the furs and hides of the bedding. The dampness gave nearly everyone rheumatism or colds, and many suffered from other diseases. With all the adversity, the members of the expedition continued to prepare for the return trip that would take some home to family and friends, some to wealth and fame, and others to new lives in the wilderness. All gained a place in history among the greatest of explorers. They were truly the ``Corps of Discovery.'' Fort Clatsop National Memorial marks the spot where Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805-1806, and is the only unit of the National Park System solely dedicated to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The bicentennial of the historic journey is fast approaching, and it is expected that well over a million people will visit the site during the bicentennial years of 2003 through 2006. The historic site of Fort Clatsop was originally preserved and protected by the Oregon Historical Society, and local citizens constructed an exact replica of the fort itself, which had long ago disappeared, except for drawings and descriptions in the journals of Lewis and Clark. In 1958, Fort Clatsop National Memorial was established by Public Law 85-435, which authorized the inclusion within the memorial of lands that are associated with the winter encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including adjacent portions of the old trail which led overland from the fort to the coast, where members of the expedition worked to make salt for their trip back across the continent. The act also limited the site to no more than 125 acres. Soon after the enactment of Public Law 85-435, the National Park Service acquired the land immediately surrounding the fort, and in 1978, the Salt Cairn site on the coast was added to the memorial by Public Law 95-625. However, the lands between the fort and the ocean, including the trail, have not been acquired. Legislation is needed to accomplish this goal since the memorial has already effectively reached its acreage limitation. The 1995 General Management Plan for the memorial calls for the establishment of the trail linkage between Fort Clatsop and the Pacific Ocean, and in addition proposes to add sufficient land area to the memorial to provide for the protection of the scenic and natural resources that frame the park setting. Since the natural setting of the encampment area is an important component of the Lewis and Clark story, its preservation would assist in public interpretation at the fort, along with providing a corresponding benefit to the natural environment surrounding the fort. S. 423 increases the authorized size of Fort Clatsop National Memorial from 125 acres to 1,500 acres and reflects the intent of the General Management Plan to include these lands within the park's boundary. In addition, this legislation includes the addition of a ``non- development buffer zone'' at the request of Willamette Industries, who suggested that these additional lands, totaling approximately 300 acres, be included to protect the viewshed from their timber operations. The Department and Willamette have agreed that these lands should be acquired by condemnation because Willamette's title to the property is not clear. Since obtaining a quiet title to the standards required by the Department of Justice would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, both parties have agreed that condemnation is the best alternative. The Department believes that this legislation is important for several reasons. First, time is of the essence in completing the land acquisition, environmental reviews, engineering and design, and trail construction that is necessary to complete this final link in the Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail for the bicentennial commemoration. Secondly, this legislation represents the completion of a process heavily influenced by local stakeholders. Third, this bill enjoys broad, bipartisan support at all levels, including local and state bicentennial planning committees in Oregon and Washington, Clatsop County, the Chinook Tribe, and the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. As you know, the Department is committed to the President's priority of eliminating the National Park Service's deferred maintenance backlog and is concerned about the development and life cycle operational costs associated with expansion of parks already included in the National Park System. However, in light of the increasing interest in the Lewis and Clark story as we approach the bicentennial of the expedition, the Department believes that the $7.5 million needed for land acquisition, and the $1.1 million for development costs associated with trailhead facilities, parking lots, and other associated infrastructure are justified. Funding for land acquisition and development would be subject to NPS servicewide priorities and the availability of appropriations. In addition, we note that the Fort Clatsop Historical Association has already purchased some of the lands associated with this legislation and will donate them to the park after the boundary has been adjusted. We expect that the government's efforts will be leveraged through several partners, including the Army National Guard, local trail enthusiasts, and the local high schools, who have agreed to volunteer with trail construction and maintenance. We anticipate the park would seek only minor increases in operational costs (below $250,000) beyond its existing base funding of $1.1 million. S. 423 also includes a provision to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the area known as ``Station Camp,'' which is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River and is where the Lewis and Clark expedition camped from November 15-24, 1805. While the Department supports this study provision in concept, we believe that the study should carefully examine the full life-cycle operation and maintenance costs that would result from each alternative considered. In addition, in light of our commitment to eliminate the deferred maintenance backlog in the national parks, our support for the study does not necessarily indicate that the Department would support any new commitments that may be recommended by the study, and that could divert funds from taking care of current responsibilities. We recommend one technical amendment to the bill, which is attached to the testimony. That concludes my testimony. I would be glad to answer any questions that you or the members of the subcommittee may have. Proposed Amendment to S. 423: On page 4, line 13 strike ``newly expanded boundary'' and insert ``boundary as depicted on the map described in section 2(b)''. S. 941 S. 941, a bill to revise the boundaries of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and to extend the term of the advisory commission for the recreation area. The Department of the Interior supports S. 941. The addition of these lands will preserve exceptional natural, scenic and recreational resources displaying values commensurate with or exceeding those of the lands currently within the boundary of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In addition, these properties, if added to the park, will provide it with a logical and understandable southern boundary, which is currently lacking. Golden Gate National Recreation Area was established in 1972 by Public Law 92-589 ``. . . to preserve for public use and enjoyment certain areas of Marin and San Francisco Counties . . .'' and has since been expanded to include lands within San Mateo County. Located at the center of a major metropolitan area of more than 5 million people, a major factor in Golden Gate's significance is its ability to provide national park experiences to unprecedented numbers of local, regional, national, and international visitors. In 1980, Congress passed legislation that expanded the boundaries of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to include substantial areas of San Mateo County. The legislation was engendered by a proposal to develop the 1,100-acre property known as Sweeney Ridge, which included the presumed location of the first European siting of San Francisco Bay in 1769. In order to minimize the cost of the project and to keep the focus on the development threat, the legislation limited the inclusion of private land strictly to the Sweeney Ridge property. The outcome was somewhat of a patchwork, leaving out significant privately owned open space and natural resources and creating a boundary that is difficult to recognize and manage in the field. S. 941 would add lands to the recreation area known as the Rancho Corral de Tierra and the Devil's Slide area. The Corral de Tierra property includes approximately 4,262 acres and contains the headwaters and most of the watershed of the four major coastal stream systems, providing riparian habitat for a number of threatened and endangered animal species, and a scenic backdrop that visually distinguishes the San Mateo mid-coast region. The peaks of Montara Mountain rise to more than 1,800 feet just two miles from the water's edge, providing some of the most spectacular panoramic views to be found in northern California. The property has recently been acquired by the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), and is being held in anticipation of being included within the boundaries of the recreation area. In addition to the Corral de Tierra property, S. 941 would also include within the boundaries of the recreation area lands in the area known as the Devil's Slide. These lands, comprising approximately 500 acres, are associated with plans by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to reroute Highway 1 through a new tunnel that is to be constructed in the area. When the tunnel project is complete, the existing surface road will be abandoned, thereby severing access to several properties in the Devil's Slide area. In the way of mitigation, it is expected that Caltrans will purchase the properties from the current owners to be dedicated as permanent open space. The existing roadbed will be donated by Caltrans for use as a trail. Inclusion of these lands within the boundaries of the recreation area will allow for their conveyance to the National Park Service. Also included in this addition is a Caltrans right-of-way which was purchased for the construction of a highway over Montara Mountain. Since Caltrans will be constructing a tunnel instead, the right-of-way is surplus to Caltrans' needs. This property divides the larger Corral de Tierra parcel included in this legislation, and thus is important for connecting these two parcels and ensuring contiguous open space. These proposed additions to the recreation area are in accordance with a recent boundary study conducted by POST in consultation with National Park Service staff. The study found that these properties meet the criteria established by the National Park Service for addition of land to units of the National Park System. In this case, these lands represent an unparalleled opportunity to include within the recreation area lands of exceptional natural, scenic, and recreational value. The properties include many old trails and farm roads that could be easily adapted to recreational use, which may become the principal visitor activity within the area. In addition, these lands will be of great value through their role in protecting important wildlife habitat and maintaining the integrity of scenic views. There are several options under consideration for the long-term stewardship of these lands, including partnership arrangements involving the National Park Service, California State Parks, and POST. As you know, the Department is committed to the President's priority of eliminating the National Park Service's deferred maintenance backlog. We are also concerned about the development and life cycle operational costs associated with expansion of parks already included in the National Park System. With that in mind, we expect that the costs of acquiring the Corral de Tierra property would be shared between the federal government, the State of California, and private donations raised by POST, who acquired these lands in the Spring of 2001 for $29.7 million. It is anticipated that the Federal portion of the acquisition cost will be $15 million with the remaining costs contributed locally by California State Parks and POST. Funds to purchase this property would be subject to NPS service-wide priorities and the availability of appropriations. The Devil's Slide parcels, associated with the Caltrans project, would be acquired only through donation. Since protection of these lands will be through a partnership with California State Parks and POST, it is anticipated that the National Park Service will only be responsible for a portion of the operating costs. The life cycle costs of maintaining these additions will be moderate, as these lands contain few buildings or structures and we do not anticipate major development of facilities. These lands will be used for low impact recreation, such as hiking and biking. Therefore, we anticipate most of the future upkeep of these lands will include trail and fire road maintenance, minimal new trail construction, trail signage and resource protection. These costs will be leveraged with funding from the private sector. Although GGNRA's general management plan does not address these areas, it is anticipated that these land will be less heavily impacted than other areas of the park, such as Marin Headlands and Muir Woods. Adding to that the steepness of the terrain, recreation will be confined to the lower portions of the land. S. 941 also extends the term of the advisory commission for the recreation area until December 31, 2022. The advisory commission was established by the same law that created the recreation area and serves to provide for the free exchange of ideas between the National Park Service and the public. The law provided a 30-year term for the commission, which expires on December 31, 2002. S. 941 extends the term for another 20 years. That concludes my testimony. I would be glad to answer any questions that you or the members of the subcommittee may have. S. 1057 S. 1057, a bill to adjust the boundaries of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. The Department supports S. 1057. This legislation will adjust the authorized boundary of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park to include the remainder of Ki'ilae Village within the park. The proposed expansion is located on lands immediately adjacent to, but outside the southern park boundary, and would add 238 acres to the 182 acres already within the park. The addition of another 165 acres would also be authorized if the lands are ever acquired. Ki'ilae is an ancient Hawaiian settlement dating back to the late 12th or early 13th centuries. The settlement remained active until the 1930's, making it one of the last traditional Hawaiian villages to be abandoned. The proposed boundary adjustment consists of adding lands containing the archeological remains of this Hawaiian village. Lands to be added to the park contain more than 800 archeological sites, structures and features. These include at least 25 caves and 10 heiau (Hawaiian temples), more than 20 rock platforms, 26 rock wall enclosures, over 40 burial features, residential compounds, a holua (recreational slide used by Hawaiian royalty), canoe landing sites, a water well, numerous rock walls and a wide range of agricultural features. The proposed expansion dates back to a 1957 archeological survey conducted by the Bishop Museum. This survey found that the greater part of the ancient village of Ki'ilae, as well as other significant Hawaiian archeological resources, were left outside of the park boundaries established by Congress in 1955. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau's 1972 Master Plan identifies Ki'ilae Village as one of the park's major resources and the master plan graphics show village remains extending well beyond the existing park boundaries. In 1992, a boundary study was prepared for the park. Both the master plan and the boundary study call for adding the ``balance of Ki'ilae Village'' to the park. Up until last year, the property was unavailable because its ownership was not clear. The three heirs to the property have now settled the ownership issue, thereby clearing the way for the Park Service to acquire the land. S. 1057 would allow the boundary of the park to be expanded to protect this significant cultural resource. In light of the President's commitment to reducing the backlog of deferred maintenance needs within the National Park System before incurring additional financial burdens, it is encouraging to note that the present owner may consider donating one portion of the property to the National Park Service, while the other portion would be available for purchase and has been appraised at $4.6 million. Funds to purchase this property would be subject to NPS servicewide priorities and the availability of appropriations. Since no development is contemplated within the boundary adjustment area, no line item construction or significant development costs are anticipated, although there would be some one-time costs after acquisition to conduct an inventory of archeological resources and remove non-native vegetation. We expect that the park would seek to increase its base-operating budget in the range of $250,000 in order to hire two additional resource management employees, as well as two employees to provide services such as interpretation and law enforcement. This increase would have to compete against other demands for limited operational funds. There is strong local support to protect and include these resources within the Pu'uhonua o Honaunua National Historical Park. This reflects the high level of cooperation and strong commitment of local communities and governments toward the park. This kind of local support for land acquisition projects is an important part of the Department's support for this legislation. That concludes my testimony. I would be glad to answer any questions that you or the members of the subcommittee may have. S. 1105 S. 1105, a bill to provide for the completion of the acquisition of State of Wyoming lands within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. The Department supports the legislation and thanks Senator Thomas and Senator Enzi for their continued interest and support of the National Park System and Grand Teton National Park. S. 1105 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire from the State of Wyoming 1,366.32 acres of land, and mineral interests on 39.59 acres of land, all within the current boundary of Grand Teton National Park in exchange for other federal lands and/or other federal assets of equal value. The state trust lands and mineral interests were among the non-federal lands incorporated into the newly designated national park on September 14, 1950, bringing it to its present size (approximately 310,000 acres). The legislation also details the process under which the exchange would take place, including selection of an appraiser, approval of the value of the lands as well as a mechanism by which an appeal can be made in case the process fails. This acreage includes two full 640-acre sections. One section lies in the southeast area of the park known as Antelope Flats which is an open expanse of grasses and sagebrush that provides habitat for birds (including the declining sage grouse) and many large mammals (deer, antelope, elk, bison, coyotes, and wolves) and also provides the scenic foreground of the Teton Range. In the past, the state has leased the land for grazing. The second full section lies on the eastern boundary of the park, adjacent to the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The vegetation is a mix of grasses, sagebrush, and trees. The area provides excellent habitat for a variety of large and small animals. The state currently leases this section for grazing. The remaining acreage is located in the southwestern part of the park and is part of a 301-acre state parcel that straddles the park boundary. The Snake River runs through the parcel, which offers excellent riparian and wetland habitat. In the past, the state has leased the land for grazing. Finally, the state also owns the mineral interests on approximately 39 acres of undeveloped sagebrush flats in the center of the park, slightly to the east. Over the last fifty-one years, the State of Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park have worked together on a variety of issues including compatible land uses. The National Park Service (NPS) has been interested in the purchase of, or exchange for, these lands for a long time. The Park's land protection files contain more than thirty years of correspondence on how to appropriately compensate the state for bringing the lands under federal ownership. The draft 2001 Grand Teton Land Protection Plan places fee acquisition of the state lands and mineral interest sixth on a list of fifteen priorities. Only some private lands that contain critical resources, or that are under intense development pressure in the high- stakes, Jackson Hole real estate market are listed higher. The NPS believes that federal fee acquisition, through either purchase or exchange, is the best alternative for the Park. A federal appraisal has not been completed on the State lands and there have not been any sales or exchanges similar to the one proposed, so it is difficult to estimate either the cost of purchasing the state lands or how much federal land or interest in federal land would be required to exchange for them. Funding to purchase these lands would be subject to NPS servicewide priorities and the availability of appropriations. The State of Wyoming is actively pursuing disposing a different State owned section near Teton Village. Teton Village is located near the southwest corner of Grand Teton National Park and at the base of the Jackson Hole Ski Area. Currently, the State is negotiating the sale of the section for $30 million. Because the state lands described in the bill are inside a national park and bordered by permanently protected lands, we understand that they may be viewed as more valuable. The NPS will not require additional funds or staff to bring these lands under federal management. The additional lands would increase the acreage of Grand Teton National Park by approximately one half of one percent. Currently the State owned lands are surrounded by national park lands and have no roads or other formal access, although hikers use the lands occasionally. If acquired, the State lands can be managed by the park with existing staff and with no additional resources. There is broad support for making these exchanges and that support has been expressed in a variety of ways, including a letter to Secretary Norton from Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer. Editorials in the Jackson Hole News and Casper Star call the proposal, ``a win for all sides.'' In his May 16, 2001, letter Governor Jim Geringer wrote, ``We would like to express to you our full support for the National Park Service acquiring our state trust lands located within Grand Teton National Park . . . We ask your support in accomplishing this acquisition for the benefit of the people of Wyoming and the United States.'' The Department believes that S. 1105 demonstrates the value of reaching a broad based consensus on potentially challenging resource management questions between local parties, the State, and the federal government. We appreciate the committee's interest in this legislation and the efforts of the senators from Wyoming. This concludes my remarks. I would be happy to respond to any questions that you may have. H.R. 640 H.R. 640, a bill to adjust the boundaries of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The Department supports H.R. 640. This legislation will adjust the authorized boundary of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to encompass an important wildlife corridor and provide for the protection of a key watershed. The legislation requires that acquisition of lands within the expansion area be accomplished only through donation, a provision that reflects the high level of cooperation and strong commitment of local communities and governments toward the park. Furthermore, in light of the President's commitment to reducing the backlog of deferred maintenance needs within the National Park System before incurring additional financial burdens, it is important to note that this legislation authorizes the lands within the boundary adjustment area to be acquired by donation only. Therefore, no public funds will be required for land acquisition. In addition, life cycle operational and maintenance costs are expected to be minimal. The park anticipates providing only minimal facilities such as trails, emphasizing habitat preservation for wildlife movement. Since no development is contemplated within the boundary adjustment area, no line item construction or related operational funding will be required. Within the 3,697-acre expansion zone, three parcels of land totaling about 2,800 acres are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, an agency of the California Resources Department that was established in 1981 to complement and assist with the establishment of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The three parcels are the 2,300-acre Las Virgenes Canyon Dedication, the 390-acre Liberty Canyon tract, and the 107-acre Abrams property. These lands are held by the Conservancy on behalf of local governments, principally the governments of Ventura County and Los Angeles County, and are slated to be donated to the National Park Service once they have been included within the authorized boundary of the recreation area. H.R. 640 adjusts the boundary in order to accomplish this purpose. Acquisition of these lands is important in order to protect critical habitat required for the free movement and migration of wildlife between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills, thereby preventing local extinction of species in the park. Together with existing National Park Service lands, the three parcels form the only remaining wildlife corridor in the region to connect with national forest lands to the north. In addition, this legislation enables the protection of a significant portion of Upper Las Virgenes Creek, which is part of the Malibu Creek Watershed, the largest freshwater system within the recreation area. The quality and condition of this watershed is of critical concern because it drains into Santa Monica Bay. The beaches of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, surrounding the Bay and running west from the Santa Monica Pier for 45 miles along the Malibu coastline, are principally managed by the Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors and the California State Parks. In all, this complex of beaches supports in excess of 30 million recreation visits annually, which suggests that it is one of the most valuable recreation assets in California. Within the existing boundary of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, some 70 governmental jurisdictions operate and work together. Unlike many park areas where lands within the authorized boundary are almost entirely in federal ownership, there exists an extremely complex mosaic of publicly and privately owned lands within the recreation area's boundary. The entire city of Malibu, as well as portions of the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village are within the current park boundaries. The National Park Service works cooperatively with other governments and private landowners, and shares its resource management knowledge with the local communities. The National Park Service, however, does not regulate land use on private or non-federal parklands within the park. In addition to the 2,800 acres that are owned by the Conservancy, approximately 900 acres of private and non-federal public lands are located within the expansion zone, including two neighborhoods that are situated within the cities of Agoura Hills and Calabasas. The two neighborhoods comprise roughly 330 acres. The two cities, as well as the homeowner associations representing the neighborhoods concerned, are longtime supporters of the park and this legislation. We understand that letters in support the boundary enlargement have been provided to the subcommittee from each of these governments and associations. Under the classification process used by the park, the neighborhoods are designated as ``developed areas,'' where the National Park Service will not acquire lands. There are also lands within the expansion zone under the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County that are largely undeveloped, or held by the county to support operations such as the Calabasas landfill. The legislation would permit the National Park Service to accept these lands, only by donation, if it were determined that they could further park purposes. Mr. Chairman, we are pleased to support this proposal. In all, the lands reserved through the efforts of local communities and governments for transfer to the National Park Service may be worth as much as $60 million under current market conditions. The legislation before you today is a testament to the cooperation and commitment of the citizens, local governments, and the park agencies in the Santa Monica Mountains. That concludes my testimony. I would be glad to answer any questions that you or the members of the subcommittee may have. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much, Mr. Reynolds, for your testimony. It is well-received, and it will help us with our deliberations. I would like to begin a round of questions, and we may have additional rounds after this. Mr. Reynolds, I have a few questions for you. I would like to ask about S. 1057. That is the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park expansion. I thank you for your support for that. I understand an appraisal of the 238-acre Ki'ilae village parcel has been completed. Can you please provide the appraisal figure, and share with us any reactions from the owners of the property, and do you believe the appraisal figure accurately reflects the market value of property in the area? Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that what we have is an estimate of current market value which has not yet been confirmed by a formal Federal appraisal. That estimate is $4,600,000. We will be glad to inform you as soon as we know of the approved Federal appraisal price, and if there are any differences. The local developer has been working very well with the National Park Service with this proposal, and the community, as I understand it, as this proposal has been put together. Senator Akaka. The possibility of expanding Pu'uhonua boundaries to include another parcel to the south has been suggested. This option would add approximately 800 acres to the park. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on this larger expansion? Mr. Reynolds. Yes, sir. The 800 acres includes the lands which are currently under consideration in this bill. The remainder of that 800 acres further to the south and adjacent may well have significant qualities related to the cultural resources of the Native Hawaiians, and I say may well because we have not yet completed any analysis or studies of what exists on those lands. We will be more than happy to get that information and of course pass it on to you and any others who are interested as soon as we know. Senator Akaka. Thank you. I would appreciate that. I am concerned that the best possible interpretation of the cultural sites and features, whether spiritual, agricultural, or other, be provided for the public in our national parks. Would you please explain how the Park Service works with cultural practitioners and people in the community who are resources for interpreting sites, and is there a specific plan to take advantage of such opportunities? Mr. Reynolds. Yes, I would be pleased to. The Park Service, probably within the last decade or decade and a half has become very much more aware and sensitized to the idea that the different cultures who were related to an individual piece of land and the remnant resources relating to their culture on that land are the ones who know most about how that should be preserved, protected, and interpreted, and the knowledge about it made available to the public, and so with that recognition, and I think it is particularly exemplary at Pu'uhonua, with that recognition we have joined--I almost hate to use the word partnership, because I think it has become stronger than that, with local cultural representatives to inform us and guide us in how to put together the interpretive programs and the cultural use programs that would exist within the park as we preserve those resources together for the future. In response to your question about, is there a specific plan, no, there is not a specific plan. I would only say there is a heartfelt commitment within the superintendent and the staff of that park to work directly with the rest of the community and let the plan evolve together with the community, rather than trying to impose some plan upon them, so from that point of view I suppose that is something of a plan, but it is not a step A, step B, step C kind of a plan. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much for your responses. Senator Thomas, do you have questions? Senator Thomas. Yes, a couple of questions. On S. 423, this legislation increases the limitation on acreage. Does it include the possibility of incorporating Station Camp? Mr. Reynolds. No, sir. It includes the authority to study whether or not Station Camp should be included. Senator Thomas. So if you should decide to include it, do you have to go back and get the authority? Mr. Reynolds. Yes, sir, that is correct. Senator Thomas. Do you envision additional boundary adjustments? Mr. Reynolds. Without benefit of a full study that is hard to say, but the evidence so far is pretty compelling that Station Camp is an extremely important part of this story. Senator Thomas. With regard to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, I think the previous Congress authorized acquisition of 525 acres, at a cost of about $15 million. What is the progress on that acquisition? Mr. Reynolds. Sir, I will have to--well, Chris Powell might be able to help me with that question. If she cannot, I will have to provide that for you right away. I do know that at least one of the properties has been acquired, but I do not know about the other two. Chris, are you there? Is it okay, Mr. Chairman, to ask Chris to come up? Ms. Powell. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Reynolds was correct on that. Senator Akaka. Would you state your name? Ms. Powell. Oh, I am sorry. My name is Chris Powell. I am with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and as far as the status of the last boundary expansion, one of the properties has, indeed, been acquired, and is now managed by the Park Service, and the park is underway, talking with three of the owners of the other parcels that will be donated to the park, and looking at what we have to do to take those into management, so probably they will look to be managed by the park within the next year or so. Senator Thomas. As you look at the map, these are obviously very nice areas, beautiful areas, and much of it is State land. Why don't you let the State do most of the development in the park? Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Chairman, in fact on these lands there is virtually no development proposed, and in fact we are in a formal written partnership arrangement with the State to provide for the common visitor use of all of the lands within the Golden Gate, whether they be State or not, and as I said, in the lands under consideration both last year and this year, there is envisioned to be very little development, development being things like continuation of the maintenance of existing trails so people, hikers and bikers can use it. Senator Thomas. I understand. What I am saying, though, is in the overall scheme of things there is a limit to what the Park Service is going to be able to do, and when there is an instance where it could apparently be done just as well by the State, why is that not the emphasis? Mr. Reynolds. I believe what we have done in the case of the existing bill that we are talking about today is made a determination, and in consultation with the State, that these lands are of national significance, and this is the role of the Federal Government as part of the national recreation area. Senator Thomas. If you look at the map--have you looked at the map? Mr. Reynolds. Yes, sir. Senator Thomas. Kind of curious, national significance on all this? Really. Mr. Reynolds. I believe so, sir. Senator Thomas. You talked about the southern boundary, which is constantly moving. What about the northern boundary? I mentioned there is a 4-mile-long strip, where you have one park on one side and one on the other. Would it not make sense to make those both Point Reyes? Mr. Reynolds. I am personally very familiar with that situation, and last year, in fact, asked the same question myself within the staff and within the congressional delegation, and the conclusions that I came to were based on the history of how Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area came into being, and their direct relationship to Congressman Phil Burton's legacy, and as I began to get beyond the geography and into the history and the strong community feelings, particularly within the congressional delegation, that the form of Congressman Burton's legacy, one side being Point Reyes and the other side being Golden Gate, should be retained, and so I did not ask the Park Service to advance a formal recommendation to make that management switch. Senator Thomas. I guess I do not understand that. It is not called Burton, is it? Mr. Reynolds. No, sir, it is not. Senator Thomas. Well, what difference would it make whether it was managed by Point Reyes or managed by---- Mr. Reynolds. I think to the visitor who did not know about Phil Burton, or did not learn of the interpretive programs about Phil Burton, probably they do not differentiate, but to those people who were associated with Phil Burton through the time that those two parks were created, I think it makes a very great difference. Senator Thomas. I am sorry, I do not understand that. I guess that is all right. The parks would still be there. Mr. Reynolds. Yes, they would, sir. Senator Thomas. We need to find a little efficiency sometimes, do we not? Mr. Reynolds. Well, I do not know if this will help you or not. As a matter of fact, Point Reyes National Seashore manages that part of Golden Gate to which you are referring. Senator Thomas. Good, then--all right. All right. Let's see, the other one that was kind of interesting was the Santa Monica boundary adjustment, here again, a real mixture of things, land ownership, of subdivisions in the State, Federal-- it is kind of--well, Conservation is an agency of the California Resource Department. Why do they not just keep the land? Mr. Reynolds. When Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was created, and I spent 5 years there as assistant superintendent during the first 5 years, it was created by the Congress with the understanding that about half of the national recreation area would be managed by the State parks system, and those State parks generally existed at the time, although they have been added to since then, and that the Federal Government would create additional lands to be managed, and that those two ownerships would comprise about two-thirds of the land within the boundary of the national recreation area. The remaining third would always remain private, and would include the communities that were a part of the Santa Monica Mountains, and would include the opportunity for those communities to participate as a part of the conservation management within those boundaries, and so I have forgotten how many communities, but as I recall we dealt with approximately 70 communities within the boundaries, and still do, and generally speaking those communities are very anxious to be retained within the boundary of the national recreation area. In the case of this legislation, the two communities affected have both expressed their positive interest in having the boundary expanded around them, and to include these wildlife corridor lands adjacent to them. Senator Thomas. Well, I appreciate your support on Grand Teton. Jack Neckels' highest priority has been to do something with the inholdings that were there. Mr. Reynolds. It sure is. He made that very clear to me. Senator Thomas. And he did not retire until after this bill was filed. Did you notice? [Laughter.] Mr. Reynolds. That was brought to my attention, sir. Senator Thomas. Thank you very much. Mr. Reynolds. Thank you, sir. Senator Akaka. Thank you for your questions. May I ask, Senator Smith, whether you would yield? Senator Smith. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have no questions. I would love to yield any time I might have to Congressman Wu, who is an Oregon Congressman who represents the district in which Fort Clatsop is located. Senator Akaka. May I ask Mr. Reynolds to hold for a minute? Mr. Reynolds. Certainly, sir. Senator Akaka. I call Congressman Wu to the table. STATEMENT OF HON. DAVID WU, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM OREGON Mr. Wu. Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Akaka. We welcome you and look forward to your testimony. Mr. Wu. Aloha, and thank you for having us here. Mr. Chairman, Senator Thomas, Senator Smith, thank you for this opportunity to testify on behalf of S. 423. Its provisions are bipartisan, bicameral, and I am here to speak only briefly in favor of expansion of the borders of Fort Clatsop Memorial. It, as you know, is the only national park facility dedicated solely to the Lewis & Clark expedition. Yesterday, by the way, was the 195th anniversary of the only physical mark left on the landscape by the Lewis & Clark expedition on the way back they carved into a cliff face in Yellowstone, near the Yellowstone River in Montana, I believe, the name of Sacagawea's son. There are all too few physical reminders of this great expedition, and I am very proud to work with Senator Smith, his counterpart, Senator Wyden, and my friend Brian Baird from the State of Washington on this important legislation to look at a couple of additional sites along the Lewis & Clark trail, and also, very importantly, to expand Fort Clatsop Memorial to include those access points that the expedition used to reach the Pacific Ocean,also to extract salt from the Pacific Ocean so that they could have enough salt for the trip back, and these are important historic sites. These are expansions which the local property owners have agreed to in principle, and I thank you for this opportunity to be with you today and to briefly mention this project of great importance to our State and to our Nation, and thank you for your courtesy, Senator Smith. [The prepared statement of Mr. Wu follows:] Prepared Statement of Hon. David Wu, U.S. Representative From Oregon Mr. Chairman, Senator Thomas and members of the subcommittee, thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify today about S. 423. I will make my remarks brief, as I know you have an aggressive agenda in front of you this afternoon. I would like to commend my Senators, Senator Wyden and Senator Gordon Smith, for introducing this bipartisan and important legislation. Yesterday, along with Congressman Brian Baird, and Congressman Mark Souder, I introduced the House version of S. 423, a bit different, but equally important. Mr. Chairman, as you know, S. 423 would expand the boundary of the Fort Clatsop National Memorial in my district in Oregon while studying the feasibility of including the Station Camp site in the state of Washington into the memorial. The bill that I introduced yesterday with Mr. Baird and Mr. Souder would also include studies of the feasibility of including the Megler Rest Area and Ft. Canby sites, also in Washington. Congress originally designated the fort and corresponding 125 acres in 1958. It is the only part of the National Park System that is solely dedicated to the Meriwether Lewis and William Clark expedition. This legislation is needed to enlarge the boundary of Ft. Clatsop to incorporate the salt works and trail that will lead to the areas that members of the Corps of Discovery often used in their day- to-day operations. To augment the expedition's low supply of salt due to their cross- country expedition, Captains Lewis and Clark assigned members of the expedition to produce more of the commodity. During the winter of 1805- 06, as the Corps of Discovery wintered at the fort, a salt-making camp was set up about 15 miles southwest of Seaside, Oregon. Salt was obtained by boiling seawater in five large kettles and the crews were able to extract about three quarts a day. A total of four bushels were produced and three of these were carried eastward from Fort Clatsop when the expedition began its journey home. The original legislation, enacted in 1958, instructed the Park Service to include the trail from the fort to the salt works. This is the missing piece of the national Lewis and Clark Trail. Mr. Chairman, time is of the essence. There is broad public support in my District to get this bill passed and the trail completed before the beginning of the bicentennial celebration. Only by getting this legislation to the President's desk will we be able to prepare in time. The stakeholders are in agreement. The bill caps the acreage, there are appropriate buffer zones, and only willing sellers will sell to add to the memorial. In a little over two years, the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition will commence across the country. Communities such as Astoria and Seaside in my District must be prepared for the people that will trek to their areas to celebrate the bicentennial of the expedition. The time is now to pass the Ft. Clatsop Memorial Expansion Act. The visitors who will flock to my District will be able to share in what the members of the Corps of Discovery experienced almost two hundred years ago. It will be an amazing experience for thousands. I am pleased that the subcommittee is having a hearing on this legislation. I have worked very closely with the Clatsop County Commissioners and the landowners in Clatsop County to ensure that there is a consensus on the expansion. With hard work and many hours of discussion, we have reached this bipartisan and consensus bill. I welcome the subcommittee's questions and comments and look forward to working with all of you to get this bill signed into law as soon as possible. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much, Congressman Wu, for your testimony. It will be helpful to us. Thank you. Mr. Wu. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Akaka. I know you are busy man. You may be excused. If you want to remain you can, too. Mr. Wu. I would love to stay, but thank you for your courtesies, and it is wonderful to be here, Mr. Chairman. Senator Akaka. Thank you. Now I would like to call--Senator Smith, do you have any questions? Senator Smith. No questions. Senator Akaka. Mr. Reynolds, I have an additional question for you. We have received several letters from some inholders in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area expressing concern about H.R. 640. Can you tell me what effect, if any, the expansion of the recreation area will have on existing inholders? Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Chairman, this bill will have no effect on any existing private lands within the boundary, with the exception of those that are authorized to be donated under this bill, and actually, as I recollect, none of the lands in this bill are presently in private ownership. If they--let's see, that may not be true with the Las Virgenes Watershed land at the far north, but that would be a corporation, not a private individual, and so the effect on any other landowner anywhere within the national recreation area would be no effect. Senator Akaka. Senator Thomas, do you have any further questions? Senator Thomas. No, sir, thank you. Senator Akaka. Mr. Reynolds, thank you very much for your testimony this afternoon. Many of the parks covered by these bills are in your region, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that they are successfully implemented. Thank you very much for being here. Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Chairman and Senator Thomas, thank you both very, very much. Senator Akaka. Our next panel is Mr. Jim Medeiros from Honaunau, Hawaii, Mr. Wayne Leslie from Kealakekua, Hawaii, Mr. Ron Arnold, the director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Ms. Audrey Rust, the president of the Peninsula Open Space Trust in Menlo Park, California. Before we hear from this panel, I would like to briefly introduce the two witnesses from Hawaii, and also to recognize Ms. Geri Bell, who is superintendent of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Thank you for being here. Mr. Jim Medeiros, Sr., is a descendant of the original families in Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. He was born and raised there and has knowledge of the practices, architecture, and meaning behind the structures and sites that exist today. He is a cultural practitioner who is learning and teaching the wisdom of those who came before, passed down to him by his kupuna, or elders. He is president of Protect Kaopuka Ohana, a community organization established for the preservation of the Hawaiian culture. Mr. Wayne Leslie is a fifth generation fisherman from Kealakekua Bay. He has vast knowledge about the natural environment, which is central to Hawaiian values. He has participated in community meetings regarding the expansion of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, is a board member of Protect Kaopuka Ohana, and is active with the Hawaiian Island Burial Council, and I want to say Aloha, and welcome both of you to the committee. Mr. Leslie. Aloha. Senator Akaka. At this time, I would like to call on you for your testimonies, and may I ask first to hear the statement from Mr. Jim Medeiros. STATEMENT OF JIM MEDEIROS, SR., HONAUNAU, HI Mr. Medeiros. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Senator Akaka, Senator Thomas, for this opportunity to speak before you on the acquisition of the Ki'ilae village. Ki'ilae village is a very special place. It is also a part of the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau. Upon reaching the safety of the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, the City of Refuge, you will be blessed by the Kupuna, the priest, and then released into the village of Ki'ilae and Kauleoli, where you would be free in those areas, making Ki'ilae very much of a part of the Pu'uhonua in the olden times. Ki'ilae also is very special culturally. It is a part of an ancient subterranean water course that runs from the mountain to the sea. This water course was used by the ancient Hawaiians for aquaculture, for they would raise fish. Along this water course would be different outlets, and this fish would be raised there for times of high seas or kapu, when fishing was restricted in the ocean. It was also used for agriculture and for sustaining life. This same water course would lead into the ocean and percolate up into the front of the ocean, where schools of fish would be congregating. Also, Ki'ilae is home to hundreds of cultural sites, burials, sites of the queen's bath. Our ancient Hawaiian trail runs through this property. This property is so rich in culture and history If this development goes through it will surely destroy all of our sites. We have ancient sites called ahus. These ahus were stone formations that were built by the ancient Hawaiians and used as markers for our fishing grounds. We would line up with these markers from off-shore, and that is where we would locate our special different species of fish that we would catch, and we still use them today. We still practice our ancient cultural practices there. I am one of 1,200 living descendants of the Pu'uhonua who still practice there today. We gather medicines. We use woods there. We still use these ancient markers to fish. The acquisition of Ki'ilae would benefit not only the Hawaiian people and our culture, but would benefit all people for generations to come. Keeping our culture alive helps us to keep our Aloha spirit alive, which brings all the visitors to Hawaii, is the spirit of Aloha, and the spirit of Aloha will be kept by the children for future generations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [The prepared statement of Mr. Madeiros follows:] Prepared Statement of Jim Medeiros, Sr., Honaunau, HI Aloha, my name is Jim Medeiros, Sr. My wife Jeana Kalani Kelekolio- Pahukula Medeiros, my two sons, Jim Medeiros, Jr. and Jordan Medeiros, my parents, Clarence Mokuohai Puhalahua Medeiros and Pansy Wiwoole Kalalahua Medeiros are descendants of Pu'uhonua `O Honaunau and adjoining ahupua'a, including Ki'ilae. My wife and moms family are Lawai'a, fisherman that still fish these areas continuing our Hawaiian cultural practices. I thank you for this opportunity to share some history of Ki'ilae with you that was told and taught to me by my Kupuna (elders). In ancient Hawaii, Ki'ilae village was a part of Pu'uhonua `O Honaunau. After arriving at the safety of Pu'u honua `O Honaunau the Kahuna (priest) would perform the sacred rituals and release the pursued individual to the village of Ki'ilae and Kauleoli to live in freedom therefore, making Ki'ilae very much a part of Pu'uhonua `O Honaunau. Ki'ilae holds many irreplaceable cultural properties such as, a subterainian fresh water coarse that leads from the mountain to the ocean. In the old times, wai (water) was of great importance, for water was the giver of life. Ki'ilae village was a place where agriculture took place because of its dirt and water. My grandparents would grow their food there as did the people of Pu'uhonua `O Honaunau. Aquaculture was also a part of this special place where inland ponds were used and maintained by the people to raise mullet and other types of fish. These fish were harvested during the times when ocean fishing was kapu (restricted), or when high seas prevented fishing. There are hundreds of cultural sites, from the burials of my ohana as well as those of the people of Pu'uhonua `O Honaunau, Heiau's (sacred temples), ancient trails, queens bath, site of an old school and gathering of herbs for medicines of which the Hawaiian people of today still practice. Land marks called ahu were built out of stones that marked fishing grounds. From the ocean we line up with ancient ahu's to catch different varieties of fish. We continue this practice today. The acquisition of Ki'ilea by the National Park service will benefit not only the Hawaiian people and culture, but will also benefit all peoples for generations to come. Only through the preservation of the Hawaiian culture can the Hawaiian people be Hawaiian and perpetuate the aloha spirit that lives today. What makes Hawaii such a special place is the spirit of aloha. The children will be the keepers of the aloha spirit so it can continue to be felt by all who come to Hawaii. The acquisition of Ki'ilae by the National Park service will save it from the destruction of a planned development of a private gated community that has benefit only to the rich. The destruction of culture is inevitable once construction begins. The lands of South Kona Hawaii, except for a few beach roads, are culturally fully developed, virgin lands that have never been disturbed by heavy equiptment. These lands were not destroyed by industry like sugar and ranching. Culture is still intact for furture generations. We thank the National Park service for preserving the Hawaiian culture so the aloha spirit can live on and be shared by all the people of the future. I represent the thousands of Hawaiians that came before me, and the generations to come. I am one of twelve hundred descendants of Pu'uhonua `O Honaunau, President of Protect Keopuka `Ohana, a community organization made up of cultural practitioners,and environmental protectors established for the preservation of the Hawaiian culture through the education of all people on the culture and history of the Hawaiian people. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much for your testimony. Mr. Wayne Leslie. STATEMENT OF WAYNE LESLIE, KEALAKEKUA, HI Mr. Leslie. Thank you, Senator Akaka, for inviting us here. It is encouraging, coming this long distance, to sit before an important body, and is most enriching to sit before you, my kapuna from Hawaii. I am very honored to be here. Va mauke'eao ka'aina Ika pono is the motto for Hawaii, and that is translated as, the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. S. 1057 is a perpetuation of righteousness. It ensures the life of the land, and the spirit of Aloha, which everyone, Hawaiian and non-Hawaiians, depend on for the goodness and the purity of love and respect between one another in Hawaii. From the year 1800 to the year 1850, 90 percent of the Hawaiian population was wiped out from disease and viral infections from European travelers. 90 percent of our population wiped out. 90 percent of our history can never be shared. By opening the boundaries of the park to encompass these lands at Ki'ilae, it is like the opening arms of a loving mother welcoming back her lost children. It is the ancient sites of the physical evidence of our people, and it is not only for its interpretive values to the world, but its value as a cultural identity to the Hawaiian people is priceless. As a Native practitioner, I recognize that these lands were walked by the people of long ago who are from my lineage. When we practice our Native arts, we recognize that we walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, and that is the endeavor and aspirations of all Native Hawaiians, is to live the life of yesterday, and to bring it forth for tomorrow's people to enjoy, and I commend you for proposing this bill that will make tomorrow a better place for us all. Hawaii is a jewel of the Pacific. As you know, it is the Piko of the Pacific, and it is a natural resource that is invaluable. When the Native Hawaiians first traveled, my ancestors, from Kahiki to Hawaii, they knew that as they traveled these long distances on their voyaging canoes in order to be fruitful and to be successful on their voyage they needed to make the most of their natural resources, and their limited space, and the limited resources that their voyaging canoes afforded them. We apply this aspect of survival today in modern life, calling our islands our canoes. The Island of Hawaii is my island canoe, and we are all crew members of this island canoe, and in order to survive our journey we need to make the most of our limited space and limited resources that our island affords us. This bill will help to ensure the life of the land. It will help to ensure that my children will never pose to me the question, Daddy, who am I, where do I come from? As Native practitioners, to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors is our deepest aspiration. I am honored to be here, and I bring with me my kapuna and my kamalii, my elders and my children. My kapuna I owe a debt to for coming here, for giving me a sense of purpose, and giving me the direction. The same with my kamalii, my children, who have changed my perspective. Since my first child was born, it really gave me a sense of purpose to protect the natural resources so they may identify themselves as kanaka maoli, Native Hawaiians, and their children may also. As my kapuna has protected the natural resources so I may walk in their footsteps, it is my cultural obligation and inherent duty, as the kanaka maoli, to provide those natural resources so that my children may walk in my footsteps, and as leaders, and changers of the Nation, you, our elected officials, walk a path that the future leaders will choose to walk. As Native practitioners, we consider ourselves the keepers of the flame, and the people like you who help to protect us are also keepers of the flame. This flame lights the path that leads to spiritual, environmental, and cultural righteousness. (Hawaiian spoken) to you for inviting us here. Thank you for letting me give my testimony. [The prepared statement of Mr. Leslie follows:] Prepared Statement of Wayne Leslie, Kealakekua, HI Ua mau ke'ea o ka'aina I ka pono. The life of the land is perpetuated through its righteousness. This is the motto of Hawaii. This Senate bill 1057 is a perpetuation of righteousness and ensures the life of the land and you are to be commended for this endeavor which is the epitome of what is pono. Pono is a Hawaiian expression for that which is true and just and is the way of life for the people of Hawaiian culture; the environmental stewards of the aina. Aina is translated as that which gives you sustenance; physically, mentally and spiritually. We the people of Hawaii are the stewards of the aina, and you, our elected officials, are the stewards of the stewards. Senate bill 1057 is a testament to your open hearts and minds; to the importance of preserving our ancient sites and cultural resources for all of tomorrow's people to experience and share with the world. Ultimately we would like to see all of the lands abutting the national park to be acquired for protection and we see this Senate bill as a step in the [pono]direction. These lands are full of historic sites and structures, some of which were used for agriculture,some were dwellings or used for periodical habitation, and many of them are temples for prayer and burial sites. To others these sites are piles of rock and rubble with little importance. To the native populace, these sites are the physical evidence of our peoples existence and a testament to their perseverance and willingness to make the most of what little resources they had. These sites are our anchors to the past and helps us to culturally connect to a time almost forgotten. This connection enables us to move forward with a greater understanding of who we are and where we come from. When we look upon these sites we see our ancestors of long ago gathered around and going about their daily routines, such as praying, farming and living the lifestyles of ancient Polynesia. When we touch these sites we feel the [mana] spiritual energy of our people and know that these stones were placed here by native Hawaiians (like myself) dressed in traditional attire and having a mindset of living in harmony with their resources and coexisting with the aina through a symbiotic relationship with the natural order of Hawaiian living. Also fronting these lands are ancient [koa] which are ancient fields of the sea which are maintained and harvested by lawai'a expert fisherman, which is my lineage. Senate bill 1057 helps to ensure no effluents from any proposed developments will pollute these fishing grounds which we desperately depend on to feed our families and perpetuate our cultural identity. When we travel the ocean to practice our nautical arts, which were passed down from our ancestors, we recognize the fact that these ancestors traversed the same waters, under the same stars and with the same aspirations 1000 years ago. When we harvest from these koa, we recognize the fact that these fish are descended from the fish our ancestors harvested with the same aspirations 1000 years ago. All aspects of cultural perpetuation are our means of walking in the footsteps of our ancestors and identifying ourselves on a cultural level. These cultural practices tell not only the stories of what we do but more importantly who we are! These priceless memories and gifts of cultural enrichment afforded to me by my ancestors can best be repaid by ensuring a viable resource for tomorrow's people so that they are afforded the same opportunity to walk in our footsteps. When my Tahitian ancestors set forth on their voyages of discovery they knew that in order to succeed in their journeys they needed to make the most of their limited space and resources their voyaging canoes could afford. This understanding of survival is applied today with our islands being our canoes. As island residents and political officials we are all crew members of our island canoes. To misuse our limited space and resources will inevitably result in the sinking of our canoe and we will all surely perish. Prior to European contact with Captain Cook, in the year 1779, Hawaii's environment was so pure not even the common cold of today existed. Between the years 1800 and 1850, 90% of Hawaii's population was wiped out by disease and viral infections passed on to them from the vast numbers of European travelers coming to our shores. Having no immune system to protect them from disease, the native Hawaiians were almost totally wiped out. Ancient Hawaiian culture dictates that our history and genealogy are passed on through the ancient arts of: hula, chants, and song which are only passed onto direct family members. This decimation of the Hawaiian populace by disease, which killed people of all ages, left the elders with no one to pass their history on to and left the native youth with no one to pass onto them their history and the stories of our evolution. We the generation of today are on a voyage of rediscovery and aspire to reconnect all our people to their roots and culture. As practitioners of Hawaiian culture it is our inherent obligation to advocate cultural preservation and protect all the essentials needed to fully experience the ways of old and modern Hawaii. With a heartfelt mahalo we thank you for the time and effort invested in this Senate bill. You have reinstalled in us that this is a government of the people, by the people, for the people; and by being proactive in a pono manner, we can still make a difference! Ua mau ke'ea o ka'aina I ka pono. Senator Akaka. Thank you for your statement, and at this time I would like to call on Ron Arnold, who is the director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments from Cheyenne. Senator Thomas. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I would like to welcome Ron here. He is director of State Lands and Investments and therefore, of course, is very involved in State lands, school lands in particular, which is what we are talking about here. He has been in the Attorney General's Office and served Wyoming for a long time. I welcome you here, sir. STATEMENT OF RON ARNOLD, DIRECTOR, WYOMING OFFICE OF STATE LANDS AND INVESTMENTS, CHEYENNE, WY Mr. Arnold. Thank you. Good afternoon. For the record, my name is Ron Arnold, and I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman Akaka, and Senator Thomas for affording the State of Wyoming this opportunity to comment on Senator Thomas' bill, S. 1105. This has been a long time in coming, and we do appreciate the efforts of Senator Thomas in introducing this particular bill. I would ask that my prepared remarks be made a part of the record, and I did attach to those remarks, Mr. Chairman, a small map. Just for ease of all the members of the committee, on this particular map are the three areas of just the surface acres only. It does not identify approximately the 40 acres of the mineral interest. The 40 acres are also contained on the large map that you have, but for the sake of reference point, the mineral interests, Mr. Chairman, are approximately 10 miles north of section 16 on this small map, so it would be up here and a little bit to the East, so we did not want to mislead the committee in that regard, Mr. Chairman. Senator Akaka. Your full statement will be placed. Mr. Arnold. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am appearing here today on behalf of the Board of Land Commissioners of the State of Wyoming. The Board of Land Commissioners is comprised of the five elected officials, Governor Jim Geringer, we have Secretary of State Joe Meyer, State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis, State Auditor Max Maxfield, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Judy Catchpole. This is the body, Mr. Chairman, in Wyoming that has a duty and a responsibility to make the trustlands. For your purposes, Mr. Chairman, the lands contained within Grand Teton National Park are those trustlands that were given to the State of Wyoming when Wyoming was admitted in 1890, and Congress specifically intended not only the State of Wyoming but all other States to take those particular trustlands and manage them for the benefit of the common schools, so each State, including Wyoming, had a fiduciary responsibility, the same as a private fiduciary, in managing the trust for the beneficiaries, which is the common schools. I am sure most of you have had an opportunity to either visit this part of the State, which is in the western part of Wyoming. Jackson, the town of Jackson is immediately to the south of Grand Teton National Park, a very, very beautiful area. We do have millions of worldwide travelers, tourists that come not only to Grand Teton National Park, but also go to Yellowstone National Park. We have this obligation to manage the trustlands in the State for the maximum benefit of these schools. In this particular part of the State presently land values are escalating, and presently we have two grazing leases for these two sections of land, and the annual income from these two particular sections are approximately $2,000 a year. We know that probably the highest and best use for this particular property would be either commercial or industrial, but we do not believe that is in the best interest of either the State of Wyoming, nor is it in the best interest of the Federal Government to do any sort of development in this particular area. This is pristine area. It is undeveloped. It is next to the Snake River. It has beautiful scenic value. It has crucial wildlife habitat, and it is contained entirely within Grand Teton National Park. As a practical matter it is just not wise to have a checkerboard situation where you have different governing bodies that would have to manage these lands in their own particular missions and goals, and have to jump over other parcels that are not owned by them. We feel that we would like to sort of partner with the Federal Government so that they can obtain these particular lands. The National Park Service then would have the complete block of lands within Grand Teton National Park to manage, and practically that is the best thing for that particular area, for the wildlife, for the tourists, and it fulfills the mission of the National Park Service. In that regard, Mr. Chairman, we are in full support of Senator Thomas' bill, S. 1105. We applaud Senator Thomas, because we believe that this is just an ideal time for the State of Wyoming to give up these lands and have the Federal Government acquire these lands. It still remains public. We have not seen any opposition in our State to this particular bill because the members of the public will still continue to have the access to these lands the same way as they do now, and it helps tremendously the trust responsibility for the Board of Land Commissioners to maximize that benefit to the schoolchildren, so we are in full support, and we would ask that this bill go forward. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have, Mr. Chairman. [The prepared statement of Mr. Arnold follows:] Prepared Statement of Ron Arnold, Director, Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments, Cheyenne, WY Thank you Mr. Chairman, for affording the great State of Wyoming an opportunity to comment on the proposed exchange of its trust lands within Grand Teton National Park to the federal government. I am appearing here today on behalf of the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners which is comprised of Governor Jim Geringer, Secretary of State Joe Meyer, State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis, State Auditor Max Maxfield and Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole. STATE TRUST LANDS The lands proposed to be exchanged are those trust lands originally granted to the State of Wyoming by the federal government upon admission to the United States in 1890. These land grants generally comprise section 16 and 36 in every township and were specifically granted to the states for the support of the common schools as states were admitted to the Union. In Wyoming, trust lands total 3.6 million surface acres and 4.2 million mineral acres. The Wyoming Constitution, adopted in 1890, recognizes the trust obligations imposed by Congress in managing the land grants which are to preserve and protect the lands, manage the lands for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the trust and create a permanent fund of proceeds of trust land sales and mineral production, the income from which is to be annually distributed to Wyoming public schools. Article 18, Section 3, Wyoming Constitution, provides that the five state elected officials constitute a board of land commissioners, trustees of the land grant, ``which under the direction of the legislature . . . shall have direction, control, leasing and disposal of the lands . . . for the support and benefit of public schools . . .'' The trust obligation of the five elected state officials is to prudently enhance value and generate a reasonable annual income for the support of Wyoming public schools. Annually, state land activities and investments generate approximately $42 million. STATE'S REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THE EXCHANGE Wyoming supports the exchange as proposed in Senator Thomas' bill 1105 because the bill allows Wyoming to achieve its responsibility to maximize the benefit to the school trust while maintaining the mission of the park service and meeting the demands of the National public in keeping the parks undeveloped. The bill is successful in making all goals compatible. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK In 1929, Congress established Grand Teton National Park and expanded the Park's boundaries in 1950. This expansion encompassed Wyoming's trust lands which are being considered by you in the proposed exchange. In other words, establishment and expansion of Grand Teton National Park created State Land in-holdings. Reasonably, the continuing management theme for Grand Teton National Park is preservation of natural resources for the greatest good of the countryside as a public park for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people. Wyoming's Congressional and constitutional trust obligation to the beneficiaries of the public school trust, created in 1890, became impossible once the lands became encompassed within Grand Teton National Park in part because of federally restricted access, development limitations and land protection plans implemented by the National Park Service. In summary, the management trust obligations for Wyoming public schools imposed upon the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners by Congress and by the Wyoming Constitution for school trust lands in 1890 are realistically unable to be met due to subsequent Congressional Acts creating Grand Teton National Park and National Forests. SENATOR THOMAS' BILL--S. 1105 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK LAND EXCHANGE ACT To be considered in Senator Thomas' bill, S. 1105, are approximately 1,366 surface acres of land, and 40 acres of minerals. The surface acres consist of breathtaking mountains, vistas, Snake River frontage and crucial wildlife habitat. These lands and minerals are undeveloped and are totally contained within Grand Teton National Park. Presently, the only revenue derived from these lands is from two grazing leases which produce approximately $2,000 annually. Grand Teton National Park is located in the far western part of Wyoming, in Teton County. It is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park and attracts worldwide tourists. It harbors an abundance of diverse wildlife species and has unrivaled scenic beauty. The town of Jackson is located a few miles south of the current Park boundary. Residential development is spreading ever closer to the Park boundaries and interest in developing the state lands for residential and commercial uses is growing. Presently, land values in Teton County are very high and Wyoming cannot satisfy its trust responsibility to earn a reasonable return for the public school beneficiaries of the trust with the present status of its in holdings in Grand Teton National Park. The State of Wyoming should not be forced into a situation that would substantially increase revenues for the public school beneficiaries of the land trust, as contemplated by Congress in 1890, but in so doing would adversely change the character of the land within or adjacent to the Grand Teton National Park as contemplated by subsequent members of Congress. An exchange to the federal government of this state trust land provides the greatest return to the Wyoming school trust while protecting the integrity of the Park. Wyoming believes the proposed exchange would benefit not only the school trust but would benefit the federal government and all United States citizens. By acquiring these trust lands, the National Park Service could implement efficient and consistent management practices and policy for all of the public land within the park boundary. Senator Thomas' proposed bill gives both the State of Wyoming and the federal government an opportunity to help the school children in Wyoming financially while keeping the lands within Grand Teton National Park public and pristine. This certainly is a win/win situation for both governments. The proposed bill will allow the trust lands to remain accessible by members of the public and will place control and jurisdiction with the federal government where it practically belongs. Most importantly, the exchange fulfills Congress's intent for Wyoming to utilize these trust lands for the support of its schools. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to share these thoughts with you today. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Senator Akaka. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Audrey Rust is president of Peninsula Open Space Trust, Menlo Park, California. STATEMENT OF AUDREY C. RUST, PRESIDENT, PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST, MENLO PARK, CA Ms. Rust. Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me. My name is Audrey Rust. I am the president of the Peninsula Open Space Trust, and I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Chairman and Senator Thomas, to come here today and talk about S. 941. I think you have received copies of this packet that we put together, and the cover photograph shows you the dramatic terrain, and you get a sense of what you might get, sweeping views, looking at the photos inside the packet, but I think I am talking to two gentlemen who know more about dramatic views and sweeping vistas than most people in the country, given the States that you come from. It is a property with incredible biological diversity. It has four watersheds with four year-round creeks that support wildlife that is both diverse and federally listed. It has five different plants that are federally listed, of which two grow only on Montara Mountain, nowhere else in the world, but that is not just the amazing part of this property. The real amazing part is that it was still available, because it is only 10 miles from San Francisco. It is in an area that has incredibly dense urban development, and where real estate prices have gone up astronomically. Anyone who has visited the San Francisco Bay Area is aware of that fact. We began negotiating on this property over a year ago, my organization, which is a nonprofit, at a time when the property was listed at $52 million. We finally reached agreement with the landowners after a year for a price of $29,750,000, and we took that risk, and we undertook a contract, we even purchased a small portion of the property, because we think this is so important to add to the National Park System. Today, we are talking about a boundary extension which would include some 5,000 acres. Later, if we are successful here, and I hope we will be, we will be looking for an appropriation. At that time, we are looking for an appropriation for $15 million, half of what the cost of one of those properties would be. I am hoping that you will give your support today. The people of the bay area are more than just enthusiastic supporters of the GGNRA. Over the years, we have put millions of dollars of private money into both acquisition and improvements of the GGNRA, and we expect that we will continue to do that into the future. Thank you very much for your time, and I am here for any questions. [The prepared statement of Ms. Rust follows:] Prepared Statement of Audrey C. Rust, President, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Menlo Park, CA Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee: Thank you for inviting me to meet with you today to request your support of S. 941, which extends the southwest boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) to encompass the 4,200-acre Rancho Corral de Tierra property and some additional 800 acres of land located in coastal San Mateo County, California. The availability of this much national park quality land in a metropolitan area that has seen and continues to experience intense urban growth represents a rare opportunity. My name is Audrey Rust. I am the president of the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), a nonprofit land trust, located in Menlo Park, California. POST is the current owner and option holder of the 4,200- acre Rancho Corral de Tierra property under consideration by this committee today. Our organization works in partnership with public agencies and private citizens to create parks and to give permanent protection to open lands in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties in California. Since our founding 24 years ago, we have participated in saving over 45,000 acres of wetlands, forest, grassland, beaches and farmland. With the assistance of the federal government, POST has added the Phleger Estate to the GGNRA as well as Bair Island and other wetlands to the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. Our projects have brought together local, state and federal agencies and have had substantial participation by the private donor community. The bill before you today is a critical step in achieving a long- held goal to place this dramatic and strategically important property into the ownership of the National Park Service. The passage of S. 941 will make possible federal ownership of the unique lands of Montara Mountain, creating a highly visible and dramatic entrance to the park along the Pacific coast, protecting significant ecological resources and linking tens of thousands of acres of existing federal, state, and county parklands. The 4,200 acres of Rancho Corral de Tierra encompass a nearly intact 1839 Mexican land grant, named Corral de Tierra-Palomares. It is adjacent on the north and east sides to other GGNRA lands, most notably the 23,000-acre San Francisco Watershed lands over which the National Park Service holds a protective easement, and to the north McNee Ranch State Park (780 acres) and San Mateo County San Pedro Valley Park (978 acres), with further linkages to the GGNRA. The lands proposed for annexation offer an unparalleled scenic addition to the park. The ascent of Montara Mountain from the sea to nearly 2,000 feet is a striking sight. The coastal ridge-tops provide some of the most spectacular panoramic views to be found in northern California, sweeping from the San Francisco Bay and the East Bay hills, past the Point Reyes peninsula and Farralone Islands to Pescadero Point--65 miles from north to south as the crow flies. The peaks of Montara Mountain dominate the setting of this part of the GGNRA. The properties contain four coastal creeks with runs of federally- listed threatened steelhead trout, and possibly coho salmon as well. The riparian areas serve as habitat for the threatened California red- legged frog and San Francisco garter snake, provide a vital source of water, increased cover, feeding and nesting opportunities and migration corridors for the abundant wildlife in the area. Other species of concern that inhabit the properties are Cooper's hawk, the dusky-footed woodrat, California brown pelican, common murre, and the San Bruno elfin butterfly. Bobcat, brush rabbits, kestrels, California quail, several species of hawk, mountain lions and eagles are among dozens of other wildlife species found on the property. Due to the topography, climate and natural condition of the site, plant assemblages of Montara Mountain are considered by biologists to be genuinely unique, displaying plants, soils and exposures found together nowhere else on earth. Seven plants on site are included in the California Native Plant Society's inventory of species of particular concern. Two of these plants, the Montara manzanita (Arctostaphylos montaraensis) and Montara blue lupine (Lupinus eximius), are found nowhere in the world other than Montara Mountain and are federally listed. Three other federally listed rare and endangered plant species have been identified: coast rock cress (Arabis blepharophylla), San Francisco wallflower (Erysimum franciscanum) and Hickman's cinquefoil (Potentilla hickmanii). The boundary study undertaken by Peninsula Open Space Trust and prepared in conjunction with the National Park Service found that acquisition of these properties will not impose a significant new management burden on the National Park Service. Principal management requirements would include trail maintenance, fire management and other natural resource management measures already carried out in nearby areas of the park. In addition, the proposed park expansion would benefit the recovery of species within the area and benefit populations existing on adjacent lands already within the GGNRA. Further, preservation of these properties will contribute significantly to the effectiveness of ecosystem management in the area, avoiding the problems that so often plague other park sites where important components of park ecosystems are outside of park control. Inclusion of these lands in the GGNRA is endorsed by numerous groups and public officials. At the recently held well-attended public hearing in Half Moon Bay, every speaker was in favor of this addition. Elected officials, representatives of the Farm Bureau, equestrian groups, neighbors and environmental groups unanimously applauded the project. No one voiced opposition at the hearing. This project continues to demonstrate the kind of public-private partnership that has led to so much success in land conservation on the San Francisco Peninsula. If Congress approves the boundary extension, and later an appropriation for the purchase of the Rancho Corral de Tierra property, POST has committed to raise $15,000,000 in local and state funds to match the $15,000,000 needed in federal funds. With this partnership the purchase of this significant and valuable property is also a real bargain for the Park Service. I ask for your support of S. 941. Senator Akaka. Thank you very much for your testimony, and I have some questions here. First, I want to say thank you very much, Mr. Medeiros, for coming all the way from Hawaii. I appreciated hearing your description of the area and its meaning to families and people there that have lived in Honaunau for generations. My question to you is, would you be able to provide a general picture of the level of support for expansion of the park among Native Hawaiians in particular? What is the general feeling about the expansion of the park to include the Ki'ilae village area? Mr. Medeiros. Yes, Mr. Chairman. We have great support for the acquisition of the Ki'ilae area from the Hawaiian community and our community general. We have over 1,000 supporters in our community who support what we are doing and what your bill will do, and all we can say is, we are really grateful for this acquisition. It will save us. It will enable our children to continue to be Hawaiian, and use these areas, and also benefit everyone with the Pu'uhonua. It has great value to everyone. We have a lot of support. Senator Akaka. Would you please share with us what makes Ki'ilae village and the adjacent parcels so significant, and would make them good additions to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau? Mr. Medeiros. Yes, Mr. Chairman. The Ki'ilae ahupua'a is a virgin ahupua'a. I call it virgin lands because it has never been disturbed by heavy equipment. Industry like sugar and ranching has never destroyed these lands. These lands are culturally fully developed. Within these lands are just cultural sites in the hundreds, burials, different water systems--it is such a valuable piece of property. Saving it will save South Corner from being destroyed. Senator Akaka. Mr. Leslie, I understand that you participated in community meetings that were held by the Park Service last fall to discuss the potential expansion with residents. Would you please describe whether the support for the expansion is widespread on the Island of Hawaii? Is there support among interested in parties such as local businesses and tourism firms, homeowners nearby, and other property owners? Mr. Leslie. Yes, Mr. Chairman, there is unanimous support by the populace of the Hawaii Island, Native and non-Native alike. To expand the boundaries of the national park makes available to the general public and to the Native Hawaiians access for interpretation and access for cultural identification, which is crucial to the Native Hawaiians, to identify ourselves as kanaka. These are the physical, the evidence of our people. Through these lands also cross what are called the alakahakai, which is an ancient trail used by Native Hawaiians to travel through each ahupua'a, or section of land, to access shoreline for subsistence gathering and mostly important subsistence gathering for the young and for the old, because they cannot gather for themselves, and this is one of the only means of protein for the Native Hawaiian people, so this ancient trail is an integral part of our culture, and encompasses all of these lands. As Mr. Medeiros said, from a cultural perspective these lands are fully developed. Anything else would be a degradation to the sanctity and to the spirituality of these ahupua'a. Senator Akaka. Senator Thomas, would you have any questions for the witnesses? Senator Thomas. Just a couple. Ms. Rust, do you foresee additional acquisitions, or additional expansion of the Golden Gate Recreation Area? Ms. Rust. Of course, I represent a private nonprofit land trust, and I do not have any control in general over what the GGNRA would do, and I ought to clarify that our organization works south of San Francisco, and the GGNRA, of course, stretches to the north as well. Within our area, this is the major, most important property. Should there be a really important and good opportunity in the future with adjacent lands that looked and were measured to be of national significance, I might come back again, yes. Senator Thomas. I would not be surprised, actually. Ms. Rust. But I must say, it is not a frequent occurrence with us. We work mostly locally with private landowners. Senator Thomas. I admire very much your doing what you are doing. I just point out again that there are a number of options in terms of easements, in terms of State lands. Ms. Rust. Yes, I recognize that. When we began the process of looking at this we conferred with the Park Service and asked if we helped to pay for a boundary study at our expense, but to their standards and with a person they would choose, would that be a way to really identify if we were going in the right direction, and they suggested that was a good idea, which we did. That boundary study did identify the lands being of national park quality. It also identified the fact that it was unlikely that any local management would be able to hold the standards that the national park would on this property. Additionally, it is--although I feel I am singing to the choir on this--very scenic, dramatic property, and lends an incredible southern entrance into the GGNRA which is currently not in existence. Thirdly, the land is adjacent to 23,000 acres over which the Park Service has an easement, and it is a very important part of the migration pattern of animals from those 23,000 acres over the hill to the west-facing slopes of this very large property, and therefore helps to protect some of the resources that the park is protecting on the other side. Senator Thomas. Just, Mr. Chairman, a comment, I want to say again how much I appreciate Mr. Arnold being here. Teton Park is one of the most interesting places established back in 1929. It was then expanded, and was made a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt. As late as 1950 was made part of the park, and therefore these inholdings were already there. One of the interesting things on the map is that the white area around Phelps Lake is the Rockefeller Ranch, and they were the ones, of course, who put most of this together, and they are in the process of dedicating that back to the park as well. So that inholding will be out of there. The whole park is about 300,000 acres. This 1,400 acres we are talking about would be a move towards getting the inholdings and then allowing the State to have those lands for themselves. The idea is that the bill asks or requires the Governor or the State board, the land board, superintendent, and the Secretary of the Interior to come together with an appraisal. If they cannot find one, they will come up with an intermediate appraiser to come up with a value, and then figure out what method they will use to make the exchange, whether it be royalties, cash, or lands. So we are very excited about that, and of course Yellowstone and Grand Teton are two of the most highly visited parks in the United States, and one we need to take care of. So thank you for holding this hearing. We appreciate very much all of you being here, and Mr. Arnold, again, thank you. Mr. Arnold. Thank you. Senator Akaka. Thank you, Senator Thomas, for being so faithful here, and thank you to all the witnesses that have appeared today before this committee. Again, I want to thank you folks from Hawaii for making such a long trip. Maybe some day you will tell us how long it was. Senator Thomas. That is further than Wyoming, is it not? Senator Akaka. A little bit, yes. [Laughter.] Senator Akaka. I want to thank Ron Arnold, too, and Audrey Rust very much, and I would like to announce that the hearing record will remain open for a week if anyone wants to submit additional comments on any of these bills. So there being no further questions or comments, I would like to again say thank you and to conclude this hearing today. The hearing is adjourned. [Whereupon, at 4:08 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.] APPENDIX Additional Material Submitted for the Record ---------- County of Hawaii, Hilo, HI, May 16, 2001. Hon. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC. Dear Senator Akaka: The purpose of this letter is to request that you seek Congressional authorization to expand the boundaries of Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park. As I am sure you know, our local media have given a good deal of attention to a development proposed on 800 acres adjacent to Pu'u Honua O Honaunau. The community, particularly the Hawaiian community, has been outspoken in its desire to see this acreage preserved and the park enhanced. Numerous historic sites have been identified or, this acreage, some or all related to the ancient Hawaiian village of Ki'ilae. My staff has spoken with Ms. Geri Bell, Park Superintendent, and she has said that at least 238 acres (out of the 800) are closely linked to the park and associated with the village of Ki'ilae. Moreover, she has indicated that the owner of the land would willingly sell the 238 acres to the National Park. The next step is Congressional authorization. The acquisition could be 238 acres, 800 acres, or something in between, and I would leave that determination to the experts to decide. However, your support for acquisition of at least the smaller portion would allow for a valuable addition to the park and assure preservation of an important part of our ancient Hawaiian heritage. I fully support the expansion of the park by acquisition of this acreage, and hope you will let me know if there is any way in which I can be of assistance. A similar letter has been sent to the other members of our Congressional delegation. Aloha, Harry Kim Mayor. ______ County of Hawaii, County Council, Hilo, HI, March 19, 2001. Hon. Daniel Akaka, U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Akaka: Mahalo for your aloha during my recent visit with you on March 6, 2001. I was gratified by your interest in the expansion of Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park. I agree with you that public support for this expansion of Pu'u Honua O Honauriau National Park is an important factor to examine. From my own conversations with individuals and groups throughout my district, I have gathered the clear impression that the people of this area want this expansion to occur. I would like to review the situation that I spoke with you about at our recent meeting. Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park has a singular opportunity to add irreplaceable culturally and historically important lands to its holdings. The park officials are currently negotiating to expand its holdings by adding roughly 240 acres of adjoining land to its park area. This adjoining land is one of the only undisturbed burial grounds and cultural resources in Kona and perhaps this island. The recently nationally designated Ala Kahakai Trail passes through this parcel. I spoke with Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park Superintendent Geri Bell about park expansion to the limits of the 800 acre CMI project. She responded that she would be very happy to have the entire parcel included within the park's borders, but had thought it was not a real possibility. When I explained to her that the Trust For Public Lands was interested in this goal and that there are others willing to help make this a reality, she expressed happiness and assured me that she would be happy indeed to include the entire parcel in the park and would work together with those willing to secure this outcome. She said she would be writing a formal request to expand the boundaries of Pu'u Honua O Honaunau Park to her superiors in the National Park Service. Survivors of the MacCandless Ranch, that owned this parcel, have formed a partnership with a developer. That company has started bulldozing areas that include graves and cultural sites to make way for a residential subdivision. The park is negotiating for 240 acres of this 800-acre parcel. The developer knows this particular 240 acres is too sensitive and covered with cultural resources to successfully develop in the face of local opposition. I attended a public meeting held at Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park in February 2001 concerning this proposal. All residents expressed the opinion that this whole 800- acre parcel should be preserved and added to the National Park if at all possible. Residents and cultural practitioners provided witness to the fact that bulldozers had uncovered and disturbed known gravesites. The archeological survey revealed the entire area of 800 acres was covered with known sites of significance. Residents were outraged that their ancestors' graves were being treated in this fashion despite strict guidelines established by state law and the Hawaiian Burial Council. The Trust For Public Lands has expressed interest in working with residents and park officials to obtain this 800 acre tract for inclusion into Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park. I feel that the residents and voters of this area have stated very clearly that they support an intact culture and environment over a few short-term environmentally destructive jobs. The people of my district know the value of preserving this intact cultural and environmental resource. They have elected me twice knowing that this is my outlook and goal. What Hawai'i has in this district is more valuable to our culture, economy, and future than a new residential subdivision. Please support legislation expanding the borders of Pu'u Honua O Honaunau National Park and pass legislation enabling the purchase of these 800 acres for inclusion into the national park system. By adding to this park now, I am sure that we will have preserved these remaining cultural and environmental resources that are perhaps more important than any other lands within the state of Hawai'i. Thank you for your consideration of this matter and the warm welcome my husband and I received at your office. With aloha, Julie Jacobson, Councilwoman. ______ National Parks Conservation Association, Washington, DC, July 26, 2001. Hon. Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman, National Parks, Historic Preservation and Recreation Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Akaka: The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the only private, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated solely to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the National Park System, appreciates the opportunity to comment on S. 1105, legislation to provide for the expeditious completion of the acquisition of State of Wyoming lands within the boundaries of the Grand Teton National Park. NPCA supports the overall purpose of the Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act, to acquire State lands within the boundaries of the Grand Teton National Park. However, we are seriously concerned with the potential impact of Sec. 5 of the bill, which provides for an exchange of federal land for the state lands inside the park. NPCA is concerned that the bill does not identify which federal lands might be considered for exchange with the state. This provision could lead to the disposition of environmentally sensitive lands, including lands near or adjacent to national parks or national forests. Subsequent development of the traded lands could negatively impact nearby federal property. NPCA recognizes that some federal lands may be deemed surplus and suitable for disposal or exchange. There is an established process for making such a determination that should be followed in all cases where federal land exchanges are considered. In general, however, NPCA rejects the suggestion that the acquisition of additional federal lands necessitates the disposition of other federal lands. Protected federal land is one of our nation's greatest assets and must not be disposed of without great deliberation. S. 1105 has the real potential to benefit both the American public by reducing inholdings and protecting lands from potential development in Grand Teton National Park, as well as to benefit the State of Wyoming by raising needed funds for public schools. We suggest that the bill be amended to require the transfer of Federal assets, other than land, to the state. Such assets could include mineral royalties that would otherwise flow to the Federal Treasury. We remain committed to working with the author of the bill, Senator Thomas, and the Committee to arrive at legislation that will be a win- win for the park and the people of Wyoming. Thank you. Kevin Collins, Acting Director, Government Affairs. ______ Statement of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition on S. 1105, the Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act We would like to thank Senator Thomas for his leadership in introducing this legislation, and to thank Senator Enzi for co- sponsoring this important measure. Grand Teton National Park was originally set aside by an act of Congress in 1929, and included only the Teton Mountain Range and the glacial lakes at the base of the mountains. Then in 1943 Franklin Roosevelt established Jackson Hole National Monument through presidential proclamation, which combined Teton National Forest acreage and other federal properties. On September 14, 1950, the original 1929 Park, the 1943 National Monument, and a 35,000-acre donation by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. were united into the present Grand Teton National Park. The Park covers over 300,000 acres and includes the Teton Mountain Range and Jackson Hole, a mountain valley. First time visitors to the Park are taken by the Grand Teton, which rises to 13,770 feet above sea level. Nearly a dozen other Teton peaks reach above 12,000 feet elevation, supporting a dozen mountain glaciers. According to the National Park Service, these are the youngest of the mountains in the Rocky Mountain system. While the towering peaks capture the attention of visitors, it is the valley portion of the Park that provides important wildlife habitat, from riparian areas bordering rivers and streams, to sagebrush flats, lodgepole pine and spruce forests. The wide range of plant communities create habitat for a variety of animals. The State of Wyoming owns approximately 1,400 acres that are located primarily on the valley floor within the boundaries of the Park. These lands were granted to Wyoming upon statehoodin 1890, for the purpose of providing for the State's educational system. However, the Wyoming's school trust has realized little financial benefit from the grant, as it is extremely difficult to develop at these sensitive locations. Further, development of these lands would threaten the national interest in protecting the Park. S. 1105 would exchange these state lands for mineral royalties, appropriated dollars, or unidentified federal lands. This forward thinking action would protect key lands within Grand Teton National Park to protect the Park and important wildlife wintering and migration corridors. The legislation would also allow the State of Wyoming to gain additional benefits from State lands in the area. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition strongly supports the exchange of these state lands out of the Park. This would be a tremendous step for protecting Park values. We also believe it is fair to compensate the State of Wyoming for these inholdings. The legislation benefits both the national interest by protecting the integrity of one of our best national parks, and the State of Wyoming's interest by providing funding for the State's education system. This land exchange can truly benefit all interests involved, the environment, the public and education. We are, however, concerned with the possible unintended consequences of this bill as drafted. Section 5 states the Secretary of the Interior shall provide the State of Wyoming with Federal lands or assets as compensation for the State lands acquired by the United States government. We are concerned that, although it is not the sponsor's intention, this provision of unspecified land could lead to the disposition of environmentally sensitive tracts of federal land that could then be developed. Further, the legislation does not provide any limits on the pool of federal land from which the State could make selections. For example, such lands are not limited to the State of Wyoming. Nor is there a limit on whether lands could be taken from National Parks, for example, or perhaps from National Forests. This problem can be avoided by not offering the State real property as compensation. The Section 5 language currently provides that the Secretary of the Interior ``shall exchange Federal lands of equal value or other Federal assets of equal value, or a combination of both, for the State lands.'' We suggest this language should be amended to read ``shall exchange Federal assets of equal value, exclusive of real property, for the State lands.'' We believe it would be advantageous to all interests if the State of Wyoming receives as compensation for the state parcels royalty payments due the United States from existing development of energy tracts on federal lands. The State would receive payments until it is fully compensated, then the royalty rights would revert back to the United States. The advantages of exchanging the state land for fuels royalties are several. First, appraisals are only required on the State lands. Second, there is no environmental downside because the possibility of the State of Wyoming acquiring sensitive lands is eliminated. And finally, the State receives direct revenues to use for its education system, as opposed to more land that must be developed before any benefit is derived. Although it is not our preference, the legislation could also be amended by limiting the State's selection to property that has been identified for disposal through agreement by all of the interested parties. If this route is selected, we believe it would be prudent to adhere to past models on this issue. For example, with the land exchange legislation for the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in the State of Utah, the environmental community was involved in determining which federal lands were suitable for disposal, and these lands were then specifically identified in the legislation. We also note that Section 4 allows the Governor to petition to Federal Court in the event of a dispute over valuation of exchanged lands, but the same option is not provided to the Secretary. There should be parallel opportunities for resolving potential disputes. We believe that with resolution of these issues, the Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act would be important and beneficial legislation both for our National Park System and the State of Wyoming. We appreciate the collaborative and cooperative efforts to see the success of Senator Thomas' commitment to what can be a win for all interests. Improving this bill will improve that success and strengthen the Grand Teton National Park far into the future. ______ RESOLUTION N0. 64597 Resolution in Support of H.R. 1953 (Lantos) and S. 941 (Feinstein- Boxer) Golden Gate National Recreational Boundary Adjustment RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that WHEREAS, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) was created by an act of Congress in 1972 to ``preserve for public use and enjoyment certain areas of Marin and San Francisco counties . . . possessing outstanding natural, historic, scenic and recreational values;'' and in 1980 federal legislation was enacted to expand the boundary of the GGNRA to include significant lands in San Mateo County including the 1,100-acre Sweeney Ridge property; WHEREAS, the GGNRA consists of 74,000 acres of land and water, approximately 28 miles of coastline and specific sites including Alcatraz, Marin Headlands, Fort Funston, Fort Mason, Muir Woods, Fort Point National Historic Site and now the San Francisco Presidio; it offers diverse urban and rural lands that are regarded as nationally significant cultural and natural resources; WHEREAS, House Resolution 1953 (Lantos) and Senate 941 (Feinstein and Boxer) would expand and adjust the boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area (GGNRA) to include an area of about 5,000 acres of undeveloped land known as the Devil's Slide area and the Rancho Corral de Tierra located on the coast in San Mateo County; WHEREAS, the lands proposed to be added to the GGNRA under H.R. 1953 and S. 941 according to a comprehensive study completed by the Peninsula Open Space Trust in consultation with the National Park Service staff, would provide a logical southern entry to the GGNRA and protect an unusually large piece of significant scenic and ecological resource firmly linked to existing parkland; WHEREAS, the Devil's Slide properties will become landlocked when the tunnel is built and the old Highway One alignment at Devil's Slide is proposed to be kept as a trail for nonmotorized use as it will be deemed excess; Regularly passed and adopted the 24th day of July, 2001. AYES and in favor of said resolution. Supervisors: Mark Church, Jerry Hill, Richard S. Gordon, Rose Jacobs Gibson, Michael D. Nevin. NOES and against said resolution: Supervisors: None. Absent Supervisors: None. Michael D. Nevin, President, Board of Supervisors, County of San Mateo, State of California. Certificate of Delivery (Government Code section 25103) I certify that a copy of the original resolution filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County has been delivered to the President of the Board of Supervisors. Ashnita Narayan, Deputy, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.