[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 783 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)] Calendar No. 558 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 783 _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 23, 2007 Received January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2008 Read twice and placed on the calendar _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Mesa Verde National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) on June 29, 1906, Mesa Verde National Park was established as the first national park in the United States to preserve the works of humanity; (2) on September 6, 1978, Mesa Verde National Park became the first World Heritage Site designated in the United States; and (3) Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best preserved and notable archeological sites of the ancient Puebloan culture that flourished in the southwestern United States from approximately 600-1300, including the elaborate stone villages in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls referred to as ``cliff dwellings''. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park-- (A) to protect the archeological sites located on property adjacent to the Park boundary; (B) to extend and expand the knowledge and understanding of the ancient Puebloan culture, a major influence in the development of the southwestern United States; (C) to protect from potential development the scenic and biological value of the pinyon-juniper covered hills that-- (i) border the Park; and (ii) are in full view of the Park entrance road; and (D) to protect the largest recorded colony of the globally imperiled Gray's Townsend Daisy, to ensure continuation of a major wildlife corridor, and to protect important habitat for wildlife; and (2) to provide greater opportunities to visitors, researchers, and surrounding communities to understand and appreciate the natural environment of Mesa Verde and the contributions of the ancient Puebloan culture to the region by providing the land required to construct a contemporary museum collections storage facility and visitor orientation center. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Mesa Verde National Park Proposed Boundary Adjustment'', numbered 307/80,180, and dated March 1, 2007. (2) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the Mesa Verde National Park in the State of Colorado. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 4. MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK. (a) Acquisition of Land.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire the land or an interest in the land described in subsection (b) for addition to the Park. (2) Means.--An acquisition of land under paragraph (1) may be made by donation, purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. (b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a)(1) is the approximately 360 acres of land adjacent to the Park, as generally depicted on the map. (c) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and available for inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (d) Boundary Modification.--The boundary of the Park shall be revised to reflect the acquisition of the land under subsection (a). (e) Administration.--The Secretary shall administer any land or interest in land acquired under subsection (a)(1) as part of the Park in accordance with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the Park. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act. Passed the House of Representatives October 22, 2007. Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, Clerk. Calendar No. 558 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 783 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To modify the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2008 Read twice and placed on the calendar