[House Report 107-627] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 107th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 107-627 ====================================================================== AMENDING THE OMNIBUS PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1996 TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE _______ September 4, 2002.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Hansen, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H.R. 2099] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 2099) to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide adequate funding authorization for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve, 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. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZATION FOR RESERVE. Section 502(d) of division I of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; 110 Stat. 4154) is amended by striking ``$5,000,000'' and all that follows through the period and inserting ``$15,000,000 for development costs associated with capital projects consistent with the cooperative management plan, except that the Federal share of such development costs shall not exceed 50 percent of the total costs.''. Purpose of the Bill The purpose of H.R. 2099 is to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide increased funding authorization for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. Background and Need for Legislation The Vancouver National Historic Reserve (VNHR) was designated by Congress in 1996 for the coordinated preservation, public use and management of historic sites within Vancouver, Washington. Vancouver's location on the banks of the Columbia River made the site of the Reserve critical to exploration, settlement, commerce, transportation, and communication in the Pacific Northwest. The Reserve spans 366 acres and contains Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, the Vancouver Barracks, Officers Row, Pearson's Field, the Water Resources Center and portions of the Columbia River waterfront. VNHR was established as a partnership among landowners within the Reserve which include the National Park Service, the city of Vancouver, the U.S. Army and the Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. The 1996 Act which created the VNHR provided an initial $5 million authorization for capital projects. H.R. 2099 would increase from $5 million to $25 million the authorization of appropriations for the VNHR development cost. One of the most significant sites held by the Reserve is the Vancouver Barracks. From 1849 until World War I, the barracks was the principal military headquarters in the Pacific Northwest. In 2001, language in the FY 2001 Defense authorization bill allowed for the transfer of the Vancouver Barracks from the Department of Army to the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver National Historic Reserve for renovation and reuse for education and other public purposes. Partners of the Reserve developed a cooperative management plan in 1999 that will guide the effort to preserve and reuse the west area of the Vancouver Barracks. It will offer opportunities for learning experiences and a connection to the history of the region. Committee Action H.R. 2099 was introduced on June 7, 2001, by Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA). The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources, and within the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands. On July 9, 2002, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill. On July 18, 2002, the Subcommittee met to mark up the bill. Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA) offered an amendment that reduced the authorization from $25 million to $15 million for development costs associated with capital projects outlined in the cooperative management plans for the VNHR. The amendment also required that the federal share of such costs will not exceed 50 percent of the total costs. It was adopted by voice vote. The bill as amended was then ordered favorably reported to the Full Committee by voice vote. On July 24, 2002, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. No further amendments were offered and 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 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 amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide increased funding authorization for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. 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: U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, August 12, 2002. Hon. James V. Hansen, Chairman, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2099, a bill to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide adequate funding authorization for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. Sincerely, Robert A. Sunshine (For Dan L. Crippen, Director). Enclosure. H.R. 2099--A bill to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide adequate funding authorization for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Summary: H.R. 2099 would increase the authorization of appropriations for development of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve in the state of Washington from $5 million to $15 million. Assuming appropriation of the additional authorized amount, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2099 would cost the federal government $9 million over the 2003-2007 period. The bill would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. The state of Washington and the city of Vancouver might incur some costs to comply with the matching requirements established by this bill, but these costs would be voluntary. Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 2099 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By fiscal year, in millions of dollars-- ----------------------------------------------- 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION Vancouver National Historic Reserve Spending Under Current Law: Budget Authority \1\........................................ 2 0 0 0 0 0 Estimated Outlays........................................... 2 0 0 0 0 0 Proposed Changes: Estimated Authorization Level............................... 0 2 2 2 2 1 Estimated Outlays........................................... 0 2 2 2 2 1 Vancouver National Historic Reserve Spending Under H.R. 2099: Authorization Level \1\..................................... 2 2 2 2 2 1 Estimated Outlays........................................... 2 2 2 2 2 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The 2002 level is the amount appropriated for that year. (Initial appropriations of $4 million were provided in previous years.) Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 2099 will be enacted near the start of fiscal year 2003 and that an additional $9 million will be appropriated over the next five years for construction projects in the reserve. Because the existing authorization of $5 million was exceeded by $1 million in fiscal year 2002, the bill would authorize the appropriation of an additional $9 million. For this estimate, we assume that the additional funds would be appropriated and spent in a manner similar to that of past funding for this project. Pay-as-you-go considerations: None. Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. The state of Washington and the city of Vancouver might incur some costs to comply with the matching requirements established by this bill, but these costs would be voluntary. Previous CBO estimate: On June 24, 2002, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 1649, the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Preservation Act of 2002, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on June 5, 2002. S. 1649 and H.R. 2099 are very similar, and the estimated costs are identical. Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis; Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Marjorie Miller; and Impact on the Private Sector: Jean Talarico. Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. Compliance With Public Law 104-4 This bill does not contain any unfunded mandates. 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 italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): SECTION 502 OF THE OMNIBUS PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1996 SEC. 502. VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE. (a) * * * * * * * * * * (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated $400,000 per year for operational costs for each fiscal year following enactment of this Act and [$5,000,000 for development costs.] $15,000,000 for development costs associated with capital projects consistent with the cooperative management plan, except that the Federal share of such development costs shall not exceed 50 percent of the total costs.