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116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-293
======================================================================
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
STUDY ACT
_______
November 15, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Grijalva, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1487]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1487) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to
conduct a special resource study of portions of the Los Angeles
coastal area in the State of California to evaluate
alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area,
and for other purposes, having considered the same, report
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill
as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act''.
SEC. 2. RESOURCE STUDY OF THE LOS ANGELES COASTAL AREA, CALIFORNIA.
(a) Definition of Study Area.--In this section, the term ``study
area'' means the coastline and adjacent areas to the Santa Monica Bay
from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance Beach, including the areas in
and around Ballona Creek and the Baldwin Hills and the San Pedro
section of the City of Los Angeles, excluding the Port of Los Angeles
north of Crescent Avenue.
(b) Special Resource Study.--
(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource
study of the study area.
(2) Contents.--In conducting the study under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall--
(A) evaluate the national significance of the study
area;
(B) determine the suitability and feasibility of
designating the study area as a unit of the National
Park System;
(C) consider other alternatives for preservation,
protection, and interpretation of the study area by the
Federal Government, State or local government entities,
or private and nonprofit organizations;
(D) consult with interested Federal agencies, State
or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit
organizations, or any other interested individuals; and
(E) identify cost estimates for any Federal
acquisition, development, interpretation, operation,
and maintenance associated with the alternatives.
(3) Applicable law.--The study required under paragraph (1)
shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title
54, United States Code.
(4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which
funds are first made available for the study under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that
describes--
(A) the results of the study; and
(B) any conclusions and recommendations of the
Secretary.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of H.R. 1487 is to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a special resource study of portions of the
Los Angeles coastal area in the State of California to evaluate
alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
(SMMNRA), located west of Los Angeles, California, was
designated in November 1978 to preserve the area's scenic,
natural, and historic sites, and to provide recreational and
scientific benefits to the region. Congress has passed multiple
boundary adjustments since 1978. Today, the SMMNRA spans over
150,000 acres, encompassing 46 miles of rugged coastline,
mountains from the Mojave Desert to the Channel Islands, and a
unique Mediterranean-type ecosystem. Throughout history, the
Santa Monica Mountains have also been home to the Chumash and
Tongva people, Spanish colonists, rancheros, and homesteaders.
H.R. 1487 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct
a special resource study of the Santa Monica Bay coastal area
near Los Angeles to evaluate the national significance of the
study area and to determine the suitability and feasibility of
designating the study area as a unit of the National Park
System.
COMMITTEE ACTION
H.R. 1487 was introduced on March 4, 2019, by
Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA). The bill was referred solely to
the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to
the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
On May 22, 2019, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill.
On September 25, 2019, the Natural Resources Committee met to
consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous
consent. An amendment offered by Chair Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
designated #1 was agreed to by unanimous consent. The bill, as
amended, was adopted and ordered favorably reported to the
House of Representatives by unanimous consent.
HEARINGS
For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the
116th Congress--the following hearing was used to develop or
consider H.R. 1487: legislative hearing by the Subcommittee on
National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held on May 22, 2019.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, October 8, 2019.
Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1487, the Santa
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment
Study Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is David Hughes.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director.
Enclosure.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
H.R. 1487 would require the National Park Service (NPS) to
conduct a special resource study of the Santa Monica Bay
coastal area near Los Angeles, California. As part of that
study, the NPS would evaluate alternative conservation
approaches, including designating the coastal area as a unit of
the National Park System. H.R. 1487 would require the NPS to
report the study results, conclusions, and recommendations to
the Congress.
Using information from the NPS on the cost of similar
special resource studies, CBO estimates that completing the
study over 5 years would cost $1 million. The NPS would use the
expertise of 10 to 15 employees over different time periods to
study the coastal area. Any spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Hughes.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goals and
objectives of this bill are to direct the Secretary of the
Interior to conduct a special resource study of portions of the
Los Angeles coastal area in the State of California to evaluate
alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area.
EARMARK STATEMENT
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT STATEMENT
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
EXISTING PROGRAMS
This bill does not establish or reauthorize a program of
the federal government known to be duplicative of another
program.
APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW
Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the
U.S. Constitution.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
If enacted, this bill would make no changes to existing
law.
SUPPLEMENTAL, MINORITY, ADDITIONAL, OR DISSENTING VIEWS
None.
[all]
