[House Report 110-516]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Rept. 110-516
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session Part 1
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RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
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January 28, 2008.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 845]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 845) recognizing the 60th
anniversary of Everglades National Park, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment to the
preamble and recommend that the resolution as amended be agreed
to.
The amendment is as follows:
Amend the preamble to read as follows:
Whereas Everglades National Park celebrated its 60th anniversary on
December 6, 2007;
Whereas when President Harry S. Truman dedicated Everglades National Park
on December 6, 1947, he stated: ``Here is land, tranquil in its quiet
beauty, serving not as the source of water, but as the last receiver of it.
To its natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that
distinguishes this place from all others in our country'';
Whereas Marjory Stoneman Douglas gave the Everglades the name ``River of
Grass'' stating, ``There are no other Everglades in the world'';
Whereas Everglades National Park has been designated an International
Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International
Importance, in recognition of its significance to all the people of the
world;
Whereas the Everglades ecosystem encompasses 3,000,000 acres of wetlands
and is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States featuring
slow-moving freshwater that flows south from Lake Okeechobee through
sawgrass and tree islands to the mangroves and seagrasses of Florida Bay;
Whereas Everglades National Park is home to rare and endangered species,
such as the American crocodile, the Florida panther, and the West Indian
manatee, and more than 350 species of birds, including the Great Egret,
Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, and Roseate Spoonbill;
Whereas the Central and South Florida region is an international center for
business, agriculture, and tourism, with a rapidly growing population of
varied ethnic, economic, and social values, all of which are dependent on a
sustainable framework for the water resources of the region to restore the
Everglades ecosystem, provide adequate freshwater supplies, and promote a
healthy and sustainable economy and overall quality of life;
Whereas Everglades National Park is an essential component of a larger
ecosystem restoration effort, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan, which has been described as the world's largest ecosystem restoration
project; and
Whereas this restoration effort must succeed in order to restore the
natural Everglades ecosystem and ensure that the treasures of Everglades
National Park can be passed on to our children and grandchildren: Now,
therefore, be it
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 845, as amended, recognizes the 60th anniversary of
Everglades National Park.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The Everglades National Park is a nationally and
internationally significant natural resource. The Park, which
was established on December 6, 1947, and is managed by the
National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior,
is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The
Park area is home to rare and endangered species, such as the
American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee.
It has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve, a
World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance,
in recognition of its significance to all the people of the
world.
In December 2000, Congress enacted the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-541). Section 601 of this
Act authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out
the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (``Plan''). The
primary and overarching purpose of the Plan is to restore the
greater Everglades ecosystem, which includes the Everglades
National Park. The Plan provides a framework and guide to
restore, protect, and preserve the water resources of the
greater Everglades ecosystem, and has been described as the
world's largest ecosystem restoration effort. The Plan proposes
to restore the natural flows of water to and through the
Everglades, as well as the water quality and more natural
hydro-periods within the remaining natural areas of the Florida
Everglades. The Plan is intended to result in a sustainable
south Florida by restoring the ecosystem, ensuring clean and
reliable water supplies, and providing flood protection for the
region.
H. Res. 845, as amended, recognizes the 60th anniversary of
the Everglades National Park and acknowledges the importance of
restoring the greater Everglades ecosystem.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 845, as amended, recognizes the 60th anniversary of
the Everglades National Park, which occurred on December 6,
2007, and resolves that the House of Representatives dedicate
itself to the success of the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On December 5, 2007, Representative Alcee L. Hastings
introduced H. Res. 845.
On January 16, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 845. The
Committee adopted by voice vote an amendment that made
technical changes to the introduced resolution. The Committee
ordered H. Res. 845, as amended, reported favorably to the
House by voice vote with a quorum present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires each committee report to include the total number of
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter,
and the names of those members voting for and against. There
were no recorded votes taken in connection with the amendment
offered to H. Res. 845 or with ordering the resolution. A
motion to order H. Res. 845, as amended, reported favorably to
the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 845
is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore
does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost
associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2008, or for
any fiscal year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises
that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding. Neither a cost estimate nor comparison for any measure
that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Res. 845 does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
With respect to (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, H. Res. 845 is a resolution of the
House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force
of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Res. 845 contains no Federal mandates.
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 845 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
resolution.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the resolution 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 (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Res. 845 makes no changes in existing law.