Calendar No. 598
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Calendar No. 598 107TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! 2d Session SENATE 107–279 SAN GABRIEL RIVER WATERSHEDS STUDY ACT SEPTEMBER 13, 2002.—Ordered to be printed Mr. BINGAMAN, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany S. 1865] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was referred the bill (S. 1865) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Lower Los Angles River and San Gabriel River watersheds in the State of California as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. The amendment is as follows: Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘San Gabriel River Watersheds Study Act of 2002’’. SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Sec- retary of the Army, shall conduct a comprehensive resource study of the following areas: (1) The San Gabriel River and its tributaries north of and including the city of Santa Fe Springs, and (2) The San Gabriel Mountains within the territory of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (as defined in section 32603(c)(1)(C) of the State of California Public Resource Code). (b) STUDY CONDUCT AND COMPLETION.—(1) The Secretary shall conduct a com- prehensive evaluation of the area’s natural and recreational resources to make rec- ommendations for the future coordinated management, protection and enhancement of these resources and an analysis of the cost of each option. In addition, the study shall consider a system of greenways, scenic roadways, river and trail corridors link- ing communities within the area. 99–010 VerDate Sep 04 2002 05:21 Sep 14, 2002 Jkt 099010 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\SR279.XXX SR279 2 (2) The study shall be conducted in accordance with section 8(c) of Public Law 91– 383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5(c)). (c) CONSULTATION WITH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.—In conducting the study authorized by this section, the Secretary shall consult with the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and other appropriate State, county and local government entities. (d) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the study authorized by this section, the Sec- retary shall consider regional flood control and drainage needs and publicly owned infrastructure, including, but not limited to, wastewater treatment facilities. SEC. 3. REPORT. Not later than 3 years after funds are made available for this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the find- ings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study. PURPOSE The purpose of S. 1865, as ordered reported, is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Ag- riculture and the Secretary of the Army, to study portions of the San Gabriel and lower Los Angeles rivers, and the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California, and provide recommendations for the future coordinated management, protection, and enhance- ment of these resources. BACKGROUND AND NEED S. 1865 directs a study of portions of the San Gabriel and lower Los Angeles rivers and the San Gabriel Mountains, an area that covers two counties (Los Angeles and Orange), approximately 16 cities, and several unincorporated communities. The area includes private land, State and municipal parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engi- neers facilities, and part of the Angeles National Forest. The head- waters for both the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers are heavily forested, relatively pristine areas, although the lower portions of the two rivers have been channelized to reduce flooding impacts. In 1999 the State of California created the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, within the California Resources Agency. The purpose of the Rivers and Moun- tains Convervancy is to develop a plan to manage the areas covered in S. 1865 to conserve urban open space, preserve existing habitat, provide for low-impact recreational and educational uses, restore wildlife and habtat, and improve water quality in the Lower Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds. The Rivers and Mountain Conservancy has been aided by over $90 million in State and local funding for the acquisition and restoration of lands along the two rivers. The needs of this region, however, surpass the capabilities of the State and local governments. Even with the modifications that have been made to both of the rivers and their surrounding cor- ridors, they provide important wildlife habitat, including habitat for about 50 endangered species, and provide biological links to the remaining habitat in the Angeles National Forest. The area has a rich cultural heritage, including approximately 9 properties on the National Register of Historic Places within the study area boundaries and 96 properties on the California Register of Historic Places. In addition, the river corridors provide impor- tant recreational opportunities, with an estimated 8 million rec- VerDate Sep 04 2002 05:21 Sep 14, 2002 Jkt 099010 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\SR279.XXX SR279 3 reational visits each year. Several successful efforts have been un- dertaken to provide bikeways and hiking along the rivers’ banks. S. 1865 would authorize the National Park Service to undertake a comprehensive study of the Lower Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds in consultation with the Secretary of Ag- riculture (Forest Service) and the Secretary of the Army (Army Corps of Engineers) and to make recommendations for appropriate management of the area. In addition to assessing the suitability and feasibility of possible designation as a unit of the National Park System, the study would examine other alternatives, includ- ing greenways, scenic roadways, and river and trail corridors. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY S. 1865 was introduced by Senator Boxer on December 20, 2001. The Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on S. 1865 on July 18, 2002. At the business meeting on July 31, 2002, the Com- mittee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 1865, as amended, favorably reported. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open busi- ness session on July 31, 2002, by a voice vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 1865, if amended as described herein. COMMITTEE AMENDMENT During the consideration of S. 1865, the Committee adopted a substitute amendment which made several clarifying and con- forming changes. In addition, the amendment requires the Sec- retary of the Interior to conduct the study in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Army, to reflect the inclusion of lands managed by the Forest Service and the Army Corps of Engineers within the study area. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS Section 1 designates the short title as the ‘‘San Gabriel River Watersheds Study Act of 2002’’. Section 2 directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Army, to conduct a comprehensive resources study of the Lower Los Ange- les River and San Gabriel River watersheds, sets forth require- ments for conducting the study, consultation and considerations. Section 3 provides that a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study be submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives within 3 fiscal years from the date on which funds are made available. COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATION The following estimate of the cost of this measure has been pro- vided by the Congressional Budget Office: VerDate Sep 04 2002 05:21 Sep 14, 2002 Jkt 099010 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\SR279.XXX SR279 4 U.S. CONGRESS, CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, Washington, DC, August 12, 2002. Hon. JEFF BINGAMAN, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has pre- pared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1865, the San Gabriel River Watersheds Study Act of 2002. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to proved them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. Sincerely, ROBERT A. SUNSHINE (For Dan L. Crippen, Director). Enclosure. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE S. 1865—San Gabriel River Watersheds Study Act of 2002 S. 1865 would direct the Department of the Interior to study the natural and recreational resources of segments of the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Gabriel River and its tributaries. The study would evaluate options for future management and protec- tion of the two areas. The bill would required the department to report its findings and recommendations within three years of re- ceiving funding for the study. Assuming the availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates that it would cost less than $500,000 over the next three years to complete the required study and report. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go proce- dures would not apply. S. 1865 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector man- dates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.