[Pages H10131-H10134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AMENDMENTS

Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 2140) to improve protection and management of the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the State of Georgia,
as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

[[Page H10132]]

H.R. 2140

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the
State of Georgia is a nationally significant resource;
(2) the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has
been adversely affected by land use changes occurring inside
and outside the recreation area;
(3) the population of the metropolitan Atlanta area
continues to expand northward, leaving dwindling
opportunities to protect the scenic, recreational, natural,
and historical values of the 2,000-foot-wide corridor
adjacent to each bank of the Chattahoochee River and its
impoundments in the 48-mile segment known as the ``area of
national concern'';
(4) the State of Georgia has enacted the Metropolitan River
Protection Act to ensure protection of the corridor located
within 2,000 feet of each bank of the Chattahoochee River, or
the corridor located within the 100-year floodplain,
whichever is larger;
(5) the corridor located within the 100-year floodplain
includes the area of national concern;
(6) since establishment of the Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area, visitor use of the recreation area has
shifted dramatically from waterborne to water-related and
land-based activities;
(7) the State of Georgia and political subdivisions of the
State along the Chattahoochee River have indicated
willingness to join in a cooperative effort with the United
States to link existing units of the recreation area through
a series of linear corridors to be established within the
area of national concern and elsewhere on the river; and
(8) if Congress appropriates funds in support of the
cooperative effort described in paragraph (7), funding from
the State, political subdivisions of the State, private
foundations, corporate entities, private individuals, and
other sources will be available to fund more than half the
estimated cost of the cooperative effort.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to increase the level of protection of the open spaces
within the area of national concern along the Chattahoochee
River and to enhance visitor enjoyment of the open spaces by
adding land-based linear corridors to link existing units of
the recreation area;
(2) to ensure that the Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area is managed to standardize acquisition,
planning, design, construction, and operation of the linear
corridors; and
(3) to authorize the appropriation of Federal funds to
cover a portion of the costs of the Federal, State, local,
and private cooperative effort to add additional areas to the
recreation area so as to establish a series of linear
corridors linking existing units of the recreation area and
to protect other open spaces of the Chattahoochee River
corridor.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION
AREA ACT.

(a) Boundaries.--Section 101 of the Act entitled ``An Act
to authorize the establishment of the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area in the State of Georgia, and for
other purposes'', approved August 15, 1978 (16 U.S.C. 460ii),
is amended--
(1) in the third sentence, by inserting after ``numbered
CHAT-20,003, and dated September 1984,'' the following: ``and
on the maps entitled `Chattahoochee River National Recreation
Area Interim Boundary Map #1', `Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area Interim Boundary Map #2', and `Chattahoochee
River National Recreation Area Interim Boundary Map #3', and
dated August 6, 1998,'';
(2) by striking the fourth sentence and inserting the
following: ``No sooner than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this sentence, the Secretary of the Interior
(hereinafter referred to as the `Secretary') may modify
the boundaries of the recreation area to include other
land within the Chattahoochee River corridor by submitting
a revised map or other boundary description to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United
States Senate and the Committee on Resources of the United
States House of Representatives. The revised map or other
boundary description shall be prepared by the Secretary
after consultation with affected landowners, the State of
Georgia, and affected political subdivisions of the State.
The revised boundaries shall take effect 180 days after
the date of submission unless, within the 180-day period,
Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the
revised boundaries.''; and
(3) in the next-to-last sentence, by striking ``may not
exceed approximately 6,800 acres.'' and inserting ``may not
exceed 10,000 acres.''.
(b) Acquisition of Property.--Section 102 of the Act
entitled ``An Act to authorize the establishment of the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the State of
Georgia, and for other purposes'', approved August 15, 1978
(16 U.S.C. 460ii-1), is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``from willing
sellers'' after ``purchase''; and
(2) by striking subsection (f).
(c) Cooperative Agreements.--Section 103 of the Act
entitled ``An Act to authorize the establishment of the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the State of
Georgia, and for other purposes'', approved August 15, 1978
(16 U.S.C. 460ii-2), is amended by striking subsection (b)
and inserting the following:
``(b) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
cooperative agreements with the State of Georgia, political
subdivisions of the State, and other entities to ensure
standardized acquisition, planning, design, construction, and
operation of the recreation area.''.
(d) Funding.--Section 105 of the Act entitled ``An Act to
authorize the establishment of the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area in the State of Georgia, and for
other purposes'', approved August 15, 1978 (16 U.S.C. 460ii-
4), is amended--
(1) by striking ``Sec. 105. (a)'' and inserting the
following:

``SEC. 105. FUNDING SOURCES AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.

``(a) Funding.--
``(1) Limitation on use of appropriated funds.--'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``$79,400,000'' and inserting
`$115,000,000'';
(B) by striking ``this Act'' and inserting ``this title'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Donations.--The Secretary may accept a donation of
funds or land or an interest in land to carry out this title.
``(3) Relation to other funding sources.--Funds made
available under paragraph (1) are in addition to funding and
the donation of land and interests in land by the State of
Georgia, local government authorities, private foundations,
corporate entities, and individuals for purposes of this
title.''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(B) by striking ``(c) Within'' and inserting the following:
``(c) General Management Plan.--
``(1) Initial plan.--Within'';
(C) in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph (B)),
by striking ``transmit to'' and all that follows through
``Representatives'' and inserting ``transmit to the Committee
on Resources of the House of Representatives''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Revised plan.--
``(A) In general.--Within 3 years after the date funds are
made available, the Secretary shall submit to the committees
specified in paragraph (1) a revised general management plan
to provide for the protection, enhancement, enjoyment,
development, and use of the recreation area.
``(B) Public participation.--In preparing the revised plan,
the Secretary shall encourage the participation of the State
of Georgia and affected political subdivisions of the State,
private landowners, interested citizens, public officials,
groups, agencies, educational institutions, and other
entities.''.
(e) Technical Corrections.--Title I of the Act entitled
``An Act to authorize the establishment of the Chattahoochee
River National Recreation Area in the State of Georgia, and
for other purposes'', approved August 15, 1978 (16 U.S.C.
460ii et seq.), is amended--
(1) in sections 102(d) and 103(a), by striking ``of this
Act'' and inserting ``of this title'';
(2) in section 104(b)--
(A) by striking ``of this Act'' and inserting ``of this
title'';
(B) by striking ``under this Act'' and inserting ``under
this title'';
(C) by striking ``by this Act'' and inserting ``by this
title''; and
(D) by striking ``in this Act'' and inserting ``in this
title'';
(3) in section 104(d)(2), by striking ``under this Act''
and inserting ``under this title'';
(4) in section 105(c)(1)(A), as redesignated by subsection
(d)(3), by striking ``of this Act'' and inserting ``of this
title'';
(5) in section 106(a), by striking ``in this Act'' and
inserting ``in this title''; and
(6) in section 106(d), by striking ``under this Act'' and
inserting ``under this title''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Doolittle) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2140, introduced by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal). The gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Deal) is to be commended for crafting a bill which amends the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Act by modifying the
boundaries of the area and to provide for the lands, waters, and scenic
resources, and to provide protection for these within the recreation
area.
Visitor enjoyment and protection of the river would be enhanced by
adding land-based links between current units of the national
recreation area. This bill also assures the recreation area is managed
by forming cooperative agreements with State, local, and other
entities.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area attracts thousands
of visitors year-round. The recreation area has seen a substantial
increase in use, becoming one of the most visited national recreation
areas in the country.
H.R. 2140 will also enhance the protection for the scenic and
recreational values of the Chattahoochee River corridor from
developmental pressures.

[[Page H10133]]

I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 2140 modifies the boundaries of the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area with the intention of
providing for the inclusion of land within 2,000 feet of each bank of
the Chattahoochee River on a 48-mile segment in metropolitan Atlanta,
Georgia.
At the hearing on H.R. 2140 on July 20, 1999, the National Park
Service testified in support of the legislation as introduced, with one
technical change. As amended by the Committee on Resources, one
substantive change and a number of technical and conforming changes
have been made to the bill. The one substantive change is the new
requirement that land could only be acquired on a willing-seller basis.
As the National Park Service noted in its testimony, there are cases
of potentially severe and irreparable damage to resources that can only
be prevented through the use of eminent domain. Given that rapid
development and urbanization of the area, threats to these resources
are a real danger.
The National Park Service also noted that, although eminent domain
authority at Chattahoochee currently exists, it has never been used,
and the National Park Service hopes it never will be. By tying the
National Park Service's hands on acquisitions, we could open up the
area to developers and speculators who can name their price with no
recourse.
However, Madam Speaker, overall, H.R. 2140 is a good bill, and I
would hate to see the bill hung up on this point. I understand that the
Senate companion legislation has language on this point that the
administration supports. Hopefully, this can be resolved so action on
the measure can be completed and a bill sent to the President that has
the support of all parties.
Mr. ISAKSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill,
H.R. 2140. This legislation would modify the boundaries of the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to protect and preserve
the endangered Chattahoochee River and provide additional recreation
opportunities for the citizens of Georgia and our nation. The river and
its corridor lands are a vital source of water for the City of Atlanta,
and more broadly for all of north Georgia. The area hosts diverse
wildlife, significant natural communities and irreplaceable historic
resources in the midst of one of America's most vibrant urban areas. It
also affords a recreational haven for the millions of visitors each
year to the dozen or so non-contiguous parkland areas that together
compromise the Chattahoochee Recreation Area.
Congress established the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
in 1978 to preserve and protect the natural, scenic, recreational,
historic, and other values of a 48-mile segment of one of our nation's
great urban rivers. Six years later, in 1984, as development around and
within the recreation area increased, Congress acted to facilitate
State and local government efforts to protect the area by declaring the
2,000-foot-wide corridor adjacent to each bank of the Chattahoochee as
an area of national concern. Now, due to the rapid pace of commercial
and residential development in the Chattahoochee River corridor, I
believe it is absolutely essential that we pass this legislation in
order to provide additional protection for this important resource. I
have sought to continue former Speaker Gingrich's efforts to preserve
the Chattahoochee River by funding the Chattahoochee Greenways Project,
which will keep land on the banks of the river from further development
and help clean up the waterway.
This legislation is essential because over the years there has been a
shift from largely water-based to land-based use of the park by
visitors to the area, thereby contributing to a need for a larger land
base for recreation. H.R. 2140 would expand the recreation area and
protecting most of the remaining open spaces along the river corridor.
The goal of the legislation is to create as much of an uninterrupted
stretch of land as possible along the river banks in order to meet
increased demand for recreational opportunities by communities along
the river.
This legislation also promotes private-public partnerships since
Congress appropriated $25 million for land acquisition along the
Chattahoochee last year and this will be matched by private funds.
Remarkable cooperative efforts are currently underway to protect key
lands in the corridor of Georgia's Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam
to the Florida border. Thanks to the tireless efforts and leadership of
the Trust for Public Land, the State of Georgia, private foundations,
corporate entities, private individuals, and others have already given
or pledged tens of millions of dollars to secure properties of public
significance within the current authorized boundaries of the
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and to preserve the river
for future generations of Georgians to enjoy.
I would like to thank Representative Nathan Deal for introducing this
important legislation and his efforts to protect one of Georgia's most
indispensable natural resources. I am grateful for past efforts of
Governor Zell Miller, Lt. Governor Pierre Howard, and for the efforts
of other members of the Georgia delegation and Congress at large in
support of this important legislation. I believe Congress must act fast
to enact this legislation in order to protect the Chattahoochee River
from any further development and environmental damage.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Madam Speaker, for the consideration on the
floor today of an issue important to the State of Georgia and myself.
H.R. 2140 is legislation I introduced earlier this year to improve the
protection and management of the Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area was established
August 15, 1978, and boundary adjustments were made in October 1984.
The recreation area is along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee
River within four counties, north and northeast of Atlanta, Georgia.
The area immediately adjacent to the park is being heavily developed,
and Forsyth County (which I represent) is the fastest growing county in
the United States. The park currently contains about 9,238 acres of
which approximately 4,500 are Federally owned. Presently, the park
includes thirteen separate land units. Popular recreational activities
in the park include fishing, hiking, picnicking, canoeing, rafting,
tubing, and boating. It also contains a number of natural habitats,
19th century historic sites and ruins, as well as Native American
archaeological sites. Annual visitation is about 3.5 million visitors.
My legislation would modify the boundaries of the Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area and authorize the creation of a greenway
buffer between the river and private development to prevent further
pollution, provide flood and erosion control, and maintain water
quality for safe drinking water and for the fish and wildlife dependent
on the river system. In addition, this legislation promotes private-
public partnerships by authorizing $25 million in federal funds for
land acquisition for the recreation area. The $25 million will be
matched by private funds. The State of Georgia, private foundations,
corporate entities, private individual, and others have already given
or pledged tens of millions of dollars to protect and preserve the
Chattahoochee river for future generations of Georgians to enjoy. At
the same time, it includes an ``any willing seller'' provision to
protect private property rights of landowners.
Last year, in anticipation of passage of this legislation, Congress
made available $25 million for land acquisition in the Chattahoochee
River National Recreation Area. That funding is serving to leverage
state, local government, and private funding to further augment land
purchases in the recreation area. However, legislative authority
expanding the boundaries is needed before the additional land can be
purchased. We can help preserve one of Georgia's most vital natural
resources by enacting H.R. 2140.
Similar legislation was introduced in the House and Senate during the
105th Congress. As most of you know, the House passed the legislation
in October 1998, however the Senate did not act on the measure.
During this Congress, Senator Coverdell introduced the companion bill
to H.R. 2140 (S. 109), and the bill was reported on June 7, 1999 by the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. I believe it is crucial for
the House to act quickly on this legislation in order to protect the
Chattahoochee River from further development and environmental damage.
Again, thank you Madam Speaker, and thank you to the Resources
Committee members and staff for all the help they provided with H.R.
2140. I would also like to thank Representative Isakson for his
assistance in protecting one of Georgia's most vital, natural
resources.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2140, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

[[Page H10134]]

The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

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