(Updated September 25, 2006)

H.R. 383
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act of 2005    

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 383, under suspension of the rules, on Monday, September 25, 2006.  The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.R. 383 designates the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, a trail from Missoula, Montana to the Pacific Ocean, to provide for the public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age Floods, and to promote efforts to interpret and educate along the pathways of the floods.

The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to administer the Trail. Allows the Secretary to establish and operate a Trail management office within the vicinity of the Trail. Requires the Secretary to establish and maintain a trail advisory committee to assist the Trail manager and staff with the operation of the Trail.

The measure requires the Secretary to prepare a Cooperative Management and Interpretation Plan for the Trail to: (1) describe strategies for the coordinated development of the Trail; (2) identify potential partnering opportunities to develop interpretative facilities and educational programs; (3) confirm and expand upon the inventory of floods' features contained in a specified National Park Service study; and (4) review and modify the map of the Trail.

H.R. 383 allows the Secretary to acquire not more than 25 acres of land for public information and administrative purposes to facilitate the geographic diversity of the Trail.

Legislative History

H.R. 383 was introduced by Rep. Hastings (WA) on January 26, 2005. The bill was ordered to be reported, in the nature of a substitute, as amended, by unanimous consent, on July 19, 2006. House Report 109-619 was filed on September 6, 2006.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Resources Committee at 5-2761.