May 27, 1987 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 13829 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS VENTO INTRODUCES LEGISLA­ framework that draws upon the ideas and ex­ (5) The preservation, enhancement, enjoy­ TION TO ESTABLISH THE MIS­ pertise at the Federal, State, and local levels. ment, and utilization of the nationally sig­ SISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND The effective care and management of this nificant resources of the Mississippi River RECREATION AREA river segment needs to be a cooperative Corridor can be accomplished by a coopera­ tive Federal, State and local comprehensive effort. For too long, Federal, State, and local planning and management effort. HON. BRUCE F. VENTO plans and policies have run in different direc­ (b) PuRPOsEs.-The purposes of this Act OF MINNESOTA tions-the result of this being that the river are: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES environment has suffered. <1) To protect, preserve and enhance the Following a National Park Service recon­ significant values of the waters and land of Wednesday, May 27, 1987 naissance study in 1980 which I requested, I the Mississippi River Corridor within the Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offered legislative language that became law, St. Paul-Minneapolis Metropolitan Area. reintroduce today major legislation to desig­ creating the Metropolitan River Corridor Study (2) To encourage adequate coordination of nate the 80-mile segment of the Mississippi Committee. The committee's report submitted all governmental programs affecting the River through the St. Paul-Minneapolis metro­ to Congress in 1986 has provided further im­ land and water resources of the Mississippi River Corridor. politan area as the "Mississippi National River petus for the need for a comprehensive effort (3) To provide management framework to and Recreation Area." to address the Mississippi River's future man­ assist the State of Minnesota and its units This legislation was originally introduced agement and use. of local government in the development and late in the 99th Congress. Since that time I The legislation I am introducing also con­ implementation of the integrated resource have been pleased with the input I have re­ tains provisions authorizing Federal participa­ management programs for the Mississippi ceived from public officials and private individ­ tion in a Tri-Rivers Board, which will provide a River Corridor in order to assure orderly uals concerned with the care and utilization of forum for cortsultation and cooperation in the public and private development in the area this magnificent river resource. management of the Mississippi, St. Croix, and consistent with the findings of this Act. The Mississippi as it flows through the Twin Minnesota Rivers within the Twin Cities metro­ SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL RIVER AND Cities metropolitan area is truly a national politan area. By working with State and local RECREATION AREA. asset, containing a diversity of resources governments, we can significantly improve the (a) ESTABLISHMENT.-There is hereby es­ found in no other stretch of this great river. management of these rivers. tablished the Mississippi National River and The river itself undergoes a transformation in The recent public and private efforts to en­ Recreation Area (hereinafter in this Act re­ ferred to as the "Area") which shall consist its passage through the Twin Cities area­ hance the river are evidence of the emer­ of that portion of the Mississippi River and going from a wild and shallow river to channel gence of a community consensus that recog­ adjacent lands generally within the St. cutting through a deep scenic gorge before nizes what an outstanding physical feature the Paul-Minneapolis Metropolitan Area, as de­ breaking out into a broad floodplain over­ Mississippi River is, its important role in the picted on the map entitled Mississippi Na­ looked by magnificent bluffs. development of the region, as well as the im­ tional River and Recreation Area numbered It was because of the diversity of natural re­ portant role it continues to play today in the MI-NRA/80,000 and dated April 1987. The sources that man was drawn here. Former recreation and economic life of the communi­ map shall be on file and available for public Indian sites abound along the river, and when ty. inspection in the offices of the Department whites entered the area they drew upon the I believe my legislation can build upon this of the Interior in Washington, D.C., and in the offices of the Metropolitan Council of river's natural features to establish the major recognition to define the appropriate national the Twin Cities Area in St. Paul, Minnesota. miltiary post of the upper Midwest, Fort Snell­ role and implement a cooperative plan that (b) BOUNDARIES.-The Secretary of the In­ ing, along the Mississippi's bluffs. recognizes the valued historical, cultural, natu­ terior <hereafter referred to as the "Secre­ The river further spurred the economic life ral, recreational and economic resources tary") shall publish in the Federal Register, of the area, an important role it still plays which the Mississippi has to offer. as soon as practicable after the date of en­ today. At St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, the The text of the bill follows: actment of this Act a detailed description only significant waterfall along the entire Mis­ H.R. 2530 and map of the boundaries established under subsection (a). sissippi, commerce boomed through the de­ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of velopment of sawmills and flour mills and the Representatives of the United States of SEC. 3. MISSISSIPPI RIVER COORDINATING COM­ operation of the first hydroelectric dam on the America in Congress assembled, MISSION. Mississippi. As with the river's early history, SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.-There is hereby es­ (A) FINDINGS.-The Congress finds that: tablished a Mississippi River Coordinating the Twin Cities today still serve as the termi­ Commission whose purpose shall be to assist nus for commercial navigation on the upper (1) The Mississippi River Corridor within the St. Paul-Minneapolis Metropolitan Area Federal, State, and local authorities in the Mississippi. represents a nationally significant histori­ development and implementation of an inte­ The unique historic, cultural, recreational, cal, recreational, scenic, cultural, natural, grated resource management plan for those economic and other values of the river and scientific resource. lands and waters as specified in section 2. through the seven-county metropolitan river (2) There is a national interest in the pres­ The Commission shall consist of the follow­ corridor make the Mississippi a special nation­ ervation, protection and enhancement of ing 18 members appointed by the Secretary al resource. However, the value of this re­ these resources for the benefit of the people of the Interior: <1> The Director of the National Park source is, unfortunately, not being fully real­ of the United States. (3) State and local planning efforts along Service, or his designee. ized. The preservation and utilization of the the River Corridor provide a unique founda­ (2) The Chief of the Corps of Engineers, river is impeded by the lack of a coordinated tion for coordinating Federal, State, and or his designee. plan for the river's management. A large local planning and management processes. (3) The Director of the Fish and Wildlife number of Federal, State, and local agencies <4> Existing Federal agency programs lack Service, or his designee. have jurisdiction over various aspects of the sufficient coordination with State and local (4) 3 individuals, nominated by the Gover­ river, with the result that there are conflicting planning and regulatory authorities to pro­ nor of Minnesota, to represent the interests and overlapping policies in the land and water vide for adequate and comprehensive re­ of the State of Minnesota. source management and economic develop­ <5> 1 individual, nominated by the Gover­ management of this magnificent resource. ment consistent with the protection of the nor of Wisconsin to represent the interests The legislation I am introducing today rec­ Mississippi River Corridor's nationally sig­ of the State of Wisconsin. ognizes the national significance and interest nificant resources, and the public use and (6) 1 individual, to represent the Metro­ in the river. It builds upon that to develop a enjoyment of the area. politan Council of the Twin Cities Area. e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. 13830 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 27, 1987 <7> 2 individuals, to represent the cities of <h> STAFF.-The Secretary shall provide ing of the reasons therefor, together with St. Paul and Minneapolis. the Commission with such staff and techni­ his recommendations for revision. The Com­ (8) 2 individuals, nominated by the Gover­ cal assistance as the Secretary, after consul­ mission shall within 90 days of receipt of nor of Minnesota, to represent the interests tation with the Commission, considers ap­ such notice of disapproval revise and resub­ of the other affected municipalities and propriate to enable the Commission to carry mit the plan to the Secretary who shall ap­ counties. out its duties. Upon request of the Secre­ prove or disapprove a proposed revision (9) 1 individual, to represent the Metro­ tary, any Federal agency may provide infor­ within 60 days after the date it is submitted politan Parks and Open Spaces Commission. mation, personnel, property, and services on to him. (10) 1 individual, nominated by the Gover­ a reimbursable basis, to the Commission to (1) INTERIM PROGRAM.-Prior to the adop­ nor of Minnesota, to represent the interests assist in carrying out its duties under this tion of the Commission's plan, the Secre­ of commercial navigation.