[House Report 111-307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 111-307
======================================================================
TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARY OF THE JIMMY CARTER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE IN
THE STATE OF GEORGIA, TO REDESIGNATE THE UNIT AS A NATIONAL HISTORICAL
PARK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
_______
October 21, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Rahall, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1471]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the
bill (H.R. 1471) to expand the boundary of the Jimmy Carter
National Historic Site in the State of Georgia, to redesignate
the unit as a National Historical Park, 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. BOUNDARY EXPANSION.
Section 1 of Public Law 100-206 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (3) and
inserting:
``(3) preserve and interpret a southern agricultural-based
rural community during the early to middle years of the 20th
century.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``map entitled `Jimmy
Carter National Historic Site and Preservation District
Boundary Map', numbered NHS-JC-80000, and dated April 1987''
and inserting ``map titled `Jimmy Carter National Historical
Park and Preservation District, Proposed Boundary Map',
numbered 330/80,019, and dated September 2009'';
(3) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``and described more particularly as
follows--'' and inserting ``or is needed to enhance the
visitor experience, and includes--'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``15'' and
inserting ``18'';
(C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``Carter.'' and
inserting ``Carter, and properties in the vicinity of
the residence along West Church Street that are needed
for administrative and visitor uses and to protect
scenic values, not to exceed 10 acres;''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(G) the Billy Carter Service Station at 104 West
Church Street, consisting of less than one acre;
``(H) the property at 147 Old Plains Highway, known
locally as the `Haunted House', where Jimmy and
Rosalynn Carter resided from 1956 to 1961, consisting
of approximately one acre;
``(I) the Georgia Welcome Center on State Route 280/
27, consisting of approximately 18 acres; and
``(J) two corridors of land no wider than 50 feet
each between the Georgia Welcome Center and the
President Carter boyhood home for the purpose of
establishing walking and biking trails while using, to
the greatest extent practicable, the right-of-way for
the Shoreline Excursion Train.'';
(4) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) after subparagraph (B), insert the following:
``(C) by donation only, other lands and interests in
lands in the environs of Plains that the Secretary
deems appropriate to add to the national historical
park which, upon acquisition, shall be included in and
administered as part of the national historical
park.''; and
(5) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``, the Georgia
Welcome Center (referred to in subsection (b)(2)(I)),'' after
``subsection (b)(2)(A))''.
SEC. 2. REDESIGNATION AS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) Redesignation.--Public Law 100-206 is amended--
(1) by striking ``National Historic Site'' each place it
appears and inserting ``National Historical Park'';
(2) by striking ``historic site'' each place it appears and
inserting ``national historical park'';
(3) in the section heading of section 1, by striking
``NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE'' and inserting ``NATIONAL HISTORICAL
PARK'';
(4) in the subsection heading of section 1(b), by striking
``National Historic Site'' and inserting ``National Historical
Park''; and
(5) in the section heading of section 3, by striking
``HISTORIC SITE'' and inserting ``NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document,
paper, or other record of the United States to the ``Jimmy Carter
National Historic Site'' shall be deemed a reference to the ``Jimmy
Carter National Historical Park''.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Public Law 100-206 is further amended by striking section 7.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 1471 is to expand the boundary of the
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in the State of Georgia, to
redesignate the unit as a National Historical Park, and for
other purposes.
Background and Need for Legislation
The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site was established in
1987 (P.L. 100-206) to preserve the boyhood home and current
residence of the 39th President in Plains, Georgia. The former
President and his wife, Rosalynn, have a lifetime tenancy in
their home, and are actively involved in the interpretive work
of the park.
The park also encompasses the Plains railroad depot that
served as the headquarters of the 1976 Carter presidential
campaign. Plains High School serves as the park visitor center.
H.R. 1471 would expand the national historic site's
authorized boundaries from 15 acres to 18 acres around the
boyhood home. It would further allow the National Park Service
to acquire several additional properties for the park,
including a house that the Carter family lived in from 1956-
1961, which is one of the oldest houses in Sumter County.
Other properties that would be added to the park include
the nearby Georgia Welcome Center, which property would be used
to develop camping facilities; a new site for the park's
maintenance facility and curatorial storage; and a corridor
along the Southwest Georgia Railroad lines that will serve as a
multiuse trail between the Welcome Center and the President's
boyhood home. The bill would also permit the acquisition of the
gas station formerly owned by President Carter's brother,
Billy; the gas station served as an informal headquarters for
the national press during the 1976 and 1980 presidential
campaigns.
H.R. 1471 would redesignate the park from a national
historic site to a national historical park and would amend the
purposes of the original statute to include language directing
that the park ``preserve and interpret a southern agricultural-
based rural community during the early to middle years of the
20th century.''
Committee Action
H.R. 1471 was introduced on March 12, 2009, by
Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA). The bill was referred to
the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to
the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
At a May 14, 2009, hearing before the Subcommittee, a
representative of the Department of the Interior testified that
the Administration supports the bill.
On September 30, 2009, the Subcommittee was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 1471 and the full Natural
Resources Committee met to consider the bill. Subcommittee
Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) offered an en bloc amendment to
add a map reference, allow the Secretary of the Interior to
accept donations of lands or easements outside the boundaries
of the park if the Secretary deems appropriate, and make
further technical corrections. The amendment was adopted by
unanimous consent. The bill, as amended, was then ordered
favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous
consent.
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.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.
Compliance With House Rule XIII
1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B)
of that Rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to expand the boundary of the Jimmy
Carter National Historic Site in the State of Georgia, to
redesignate the unit as a National Historical Park, and for
other purposes.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office:
H.R. 1471--A bill to expand the boundary of the Jimmy Carter National
Historic Site in the state of Georgia, to redesignate the unit
as a National Historic Park, and for other purposes
H.R. 1471 would expand the boundaries of the Jimmy Carter
National Historic Site in Plains, Georgia, by about 30 acres.
The National Park Service (NPS) could acquire that acreage (or
lesser property interests such as easements) by purchase or
donation. In addition, the legislation would change the name of
the site to the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park.
Based on information from the NPS, CBO estimates that
implementing H.R. 1471 would cost about $17 million over the
next five years, assuming the appropriation of the necessary
amounts. We estimate that the NPS would spend about $1 million
of this amount over the next three years to purchase less than
10 acres of land around the current site. (We expect that about
20 acres would be donated, including the Billy Carter Service
Station Museum, the Georgia Welcome Center, and a former home
of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.) We also estimate that the NPS
would spend $10 million over the next few years for planning
and for constructing and rehabilitating buildings, facilities,
and trails. Finally, we estimate that the NPS would spend about
$2 million annually to manage the new areas. Enacting H.R. 1471
would have no effect on direct spending or revenues.
The bill contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined
in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no
costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
CBO expects that H.R. 1471 would impose no private-sector
mandates as defined in UMRA. Under UMRA, if the Secretary of
the Interior acquires private property by means of
condemnation, such an action would constitute a private-sector
mandate. However, the NPS indicates that it expects to acquire
properties for the expansion area through other means (such as
donation or purchase).
If the Secretary uses condemnation to acquire a property,
the cost of the mandate would be equal to its value. Since the
value of property in the expansion area that could be obtained
by condemnation is about $1 million, CBO estimates that the
cost of the mandate, if imposed, would fall well below the
annual threshold established in UMRA for private-sector
mandates ($139 million in 2009, adjusted annually for
inflation).
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew
Pickford. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Compliance With Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Earmark Statement
H.R. 1471 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9 of rule XXI.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
ACT OF DECEMBER 23, 1987
(Public Law 100-206)
AN ACT To establish the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and
Preservation District in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF JIMMY CARTER [NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE]
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) Establishment.--In order to provide for the benefit,
inspiration, and education of the American people, there is
hereby established the Jimmy Carter [National Historic Site]
National Historical Park in the State of Georgia. In
administering the [historic site] national historical park, the
Secretary shall--
(1) preserve the key sites and structures located
within the [historic site] national historical park
associated with Jimmy Carter during his lifespan;
* * * * * * *
[(3) present the history of a small rural southern
town.]
(3) preserve and interpret a southern agricultural-
based rural community during the early to middle years
of the 20th century.
(b) Description of Jimmy Carter [National Historic Site]
National Historical Park.--(1) The [historic site] national
historical park shall consist of the lands and interests in
lands (including the real property described in paragraph (2))
as generally depicted on the [map entitled ``Jimmy Carter
National Historic Site and Preservation District Boundary
Map'', numbered NHS-JC-80000, and dated April 1987] map titled
``Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and Preservation
District, Proposed Boundary Map'', numbered 330/80,019, and
dated September 2009. The map shall be on file and available
for public inspection at appropriate offices of the National
Park Service.
(2) The real property referred to in paragraph (1) is that
real property which has significant historical association with
the life of James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the
United States, located in the town of Plains and the County of
Sumter, Georgia, [and described more particularly as follows--]
or is needed to enhance the visitor experience, and includes--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(C) the boyhood home of former President Carter,
consisting of the residence, together with not more
than [15] 18 acres, located west of Plains near the
community of Archery, Georgia;
* * * * * * *
(E) the Plains High School and grounds of
approximately 12 acres; [and]
(F) the Gnann House at 1 Woodland Drive, which is
adjacent to the residence referred to in subparagraph
(A) of former President [Carter.] Carter, and
properties in the vicinity of the residence along West
Church Street that are needed for administrative and
visitor uses and to protect scenic values, not to
exceed 10 acres;
(G) the Billy Carter Service Station at 104 West
Church Street, consisting of less than one acre;
(H) the property at 147 Old Plains Highway, known
locally as the ``Haunted House'', where Jimmy and
Rosalynn Carter resided from 1956 to 1961, consisting
of approximately one acre;
(I) the Georgia Welcome Center on State Route 280/27,
consisting of approximately 18 acres; and
(J) two corridors of land no wider than 50 feet each
between the Georgia Welcome Center and the President
Carter boyhood home for the purpose of establishing
walking and biking trails while using, to the greatest
extent practicable, the right-of-way for the Shoreline
Excursion Train.
(c) Acquisition of Real and Personal Property.--(1) Except as
otherwise provided in this subsection and subject to such
terms, reservations, and conditions as the Secretary determines
reasonable or necessary, the Secretary may acquire by donation,
purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or
otherwise--
(A) lands and interests in lands within the
boundaries of the [historic site; and] national
historical park;
(B) personal property and artifacts for purposes of
the [historic site.] national historical park; and
(C) by donation only, other lands and interests in
lands in the environs of Plains that the Secretary
deems appropriate to add to the national historical
park which, upon acquisition, shall be included in and
administered as part of the national historical park.
(2) The Carter home (described in subsection (b)(2)(A)), the
Georgia Welcome Center (referred to in subsection (b)(2)(I)),
and the Plains High School (referred to in subsection
(b)(2)(E)) may only be acquired by donation.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION OF [HISTORIC SITE] NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK AND
PRESERVATION DISTRICT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the [historic
site] national historical park and the preservation district in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the provisions
of law generally applicable to national historic sites,
including the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National
Park Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 25,
1916 (16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4), and the Act entitled ``An Act to
provide for the preservation of historic American sites,
buildings, objects and antiquities of national significance,
and for other purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C.
461 et seq.).
* * * * * * *
(c) History.--The Secretary shall gather oral history on the
[historic site] national historical park, its occupants, and
environs. The Secretary may also preserve personal property
that has been acquired by the Secretary for purposes of the
[historic site] national historical park.
(d) Report.--25 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall convene a distinguished group of
nationally recognized historians, scholars, and other experts
to examine the life of President Carter in greater historical
perspective. The group shall examine the research then
available on President Carter, his life and Presidency, and
make recommendations on interpretation, preservation, and other
issues (as appropriate) at the Jimmy Carter [National Historic
Site] National Historical Park and the Jimmy Carter National
Preservation District.
SEC. 4. ADVISORY COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory
commission to provide advice on achieving balanced and accurate
interpretation of the [historic site] national historical park.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Congress a
general management plan for the use and development of the
[historic site] national historical park and the preservation
district. Such plan shall--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act--
(1) * * *
(2) the term ``[historic site] national historical
park'' means the Jimmy Carter [National Historic Site]
National Historical Park established under section 1;
and
* * * * * * *
[SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
[(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, except that not
more than $3,500,000 is authorized to be appropriated for
acquisition of real and personal property (including
preservation easements) and development of the preservation
district and the historic site.
[(b) Cost Sharing.--Not more than 60 percent of the aggregate
cost of restoring the Plains High School (referred to in
section 1(b)(2)(E)) may be provided from appropriated Federal
funds. The remaining 40 percent, non-Federal share of such cost
may be in the form of cash, goods, or services, fairly valued.]