[House Report 106-137] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 106th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 106-137 ====================================================================== ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR ACT _______ May 13, 1999.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H.R. 66] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 66) to preserve the cultural resources of the Route 66 corridor and to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance, 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 out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act, the following definitions apply: (1) Route 66 corridor.--The term ``Route 66 corridor'' means structures and other cultural resources described in paragraph (3), including-- (A) lands owned by the Federal Government and lands owned by a State or local government within the immediate vicinity of those portions of the highway formerly designated as United States Route 66; and (B) private land within that immediate vicinity that is owned by persons or entities that are willing to participate in the programs authorized by this Act. (2) Cultural resource programs.--The term ``Cultural Resource Programs'' means the programs established and administered by the National Park Service for the benefit of and in support of preservation of the Route 66 corridor, either directly or indirectly. (3) Preservation of the route 66 corridor.--The term ``preservation of the Route 66 corridor'' means the preservation or restoration of structures or other cultural resources of businesses, sites of interest, and other contributing resources that-- (A) are located within the land described in paragraph (1); (B) existed during the route's period of outstanding historic significance (principally between 1926 and 1970), as defined by the study prepared by the National Park Service and entitled ``Special Resource Study of Route 66'', dated July 1995; and (C) remain in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act. (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Cultural Resource Programs at the National Park Service. (5) State.--The term ``State'' means a State in which a portion of the Route 66 corridor is located. SEC. 2. MANAGEMENT. (a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the entities described in subsection (c), shall facilitate the development of guidelines and a program of technical assistance and grants that will set priorities for the preservation of the Route 66 corridor. (b) Designation of Officials.--The Secretary shall designate officials of the National Park Service stationed at locations convenient to the States to perform the functions of the Cultural Resource Programs under this Act. (c) General Functions.--The Secretary shall-- (1) support efforts of State and local public and private persons, nonprofit Route 66 preservation entities, Indian tribes, State Historic Preservation Offices, and entities in the States for the preservation of the Route 66 corridor by providing technical assistance, participating in cost-sharing programs, and making grants; (2) act as a clearinghouse for communication among Federal, State, and local agencies, nonprofit Route 66 preservation entities, Indian tribes, State historic preservation offices, and private persons and entities interested in the preservation of the Route 66 corridor; and (3) assist the States in determining the appropriate form of and establishing and supporting a non-Federal entity or entities to perform the functions of the Cultural Resource Programs after those programs are terminated. (d) Authorities.--In carrying out this Act, the Secretary may-- (1) enter into cooperative agreements, including (but not limited to) cooperative agreements for study, planning, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration related to the Route 66 corridor; (2) accept donations of funds, equipment, supplies, and services as appropriate; (3) provide cost-share grants for projects for the preservation of the Route 66 corridor (but not to exceed 50 percent of total project costs) and information about existing cost-share opportunities; (4) provide technical assistance in historic preservation and interpretation of the Route 66 corridor; and (5) coordinate, promote, and stimulate research by other persons and entities regarding the Route 66 corridor. (e) Preservation Assistance.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide assistance in the preservation of the Route 66 corridor in a manner that is compatible with the idiosyncratic nature of the Route 66 corridor. (2) Planning.--The Secretary shall not prepare or require preparation of an overall management plan for the Route 66 corridor, but shall cooperate with the States and local public and private persons and entities, State historic preservation offices, nonprofit Route 66 preservation entities, and Indian tribes in developing local preservation plans to guide efforts to protect the most important or representative resources of the Route 66 corridor. SEC. 3. RESOURCE TREATMENT. (a) Technical Assistance Program.-- (1) Program required.--The Secretary shall develop a program of technical assistance in the preservation of the Route 66 corridor and interpretation of the Route 66 corridor. (2) Program guidelines.--As part of the technical assistance program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish guidelines for setting priorities for preservation needs for the Route 66 corridor. The Secretary shall base the guidelines on the Secretary's standards for historic preservation. (b) Program for Coordination of Activities.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall coordinate a program of historic research, curation, preservation strategies, and the collection of oral and video histories of events that occurred along the Route 66 corridor. (2) Design.--The program under paragraph (1) shall be designed for continuing use and implementation by other organizations after the Cultural Resource Programs are terminated. SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2000 through 2009 to carry out the purposes of this Act. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of H.R. 66 is to preserve the cultural resources of the Route 66 corridor and to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION The highway formerly known as Route 66, extending from Chicago to Los Angeles, is a nationally significant part of American history, foremost among the early highways that helped change and shape America as it entered the twentieth century. Beginning with the Dust Bowl migration to California, Route 66 enabled American businesses to move commerce, individuals to seek better lives, and the government to move troops and war supplies. It also opened up the Southwestern landscape to tourism and post-war migration of families to the booming job market of California. Through books, television, songs, and movies, Route 66 has become an enduring part of American culture. Unfortunately, as Americans became more mobile, this two- lane roadway could not handle the increasing volume of truck and vehicle traffic. Route 66 became so fragmented and confusing that in 1979 it lost its official U.S. Highway ``Route 66'' designation. The remaining portions of the former Route 66 have been incorporated into state and local highway systems. H.R. 66 would preserve the cultural resources along the historic Route 66 by allowing the Secretary of the Interior to support and collaborate with state, local, and private institutions to preserve these resources. The preservation of Route 66 would include the preservation or restoration of portions of the highway, businesses and sites of interest and other contributing resources along the highway during its period of outstanding historical significance (principally between 1933 and 1970). The Secretary would do so through cost- share grants, information services, and technical assistance. Many portions of Route 66 continue to serve as regional highways connecting cities, towns and open spaces. The Committee believes that the preservation efforts outlined in this legislation should consider Department of Transportation highway safety and maintenance standards and that the Departments of the Interior and Transportation should work cooperatively when and where feasible and mutually beneficial. COMMITTEE ACTION H.R. 66 was introduced on January 6, 1999, by Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM). The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. On March 11, 1999, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the bill, where the Administration testified in support of H.R. 66, contingent on a few minor technical amendments. On March 18, 1999, the Subcommittee met to mark up the bill. Chairman James V. Hansen (R-UT) offered en bloc amendments to change the beginning of the period of historical significance from 1933 to 1926, to clarify the role that the Secretary of the Interior would play in Route 66 preservation and interpretation, to clarify that the Secretary should base the technical assistance program on the Secretary's standards for historic preservation, and to clarify what types of federal lands the bill would apply to. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. The bill was then ordered favorably reported to the Full Committee by voice vote. On April 28, 1999, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. No further amendments were offered. The bill was then ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by voice vote. 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 tax expenditures. According to the Congressional Budget Office, because H.R. 66 would allow the National Park Service to accept donations, the bill could affect federal revenues, but ``any amounts collected would be insignificant.'' 3. Government Reform Oversight Findings.--Under clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee has received no report of oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on Government Reform on this bill. 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, April 30, 1999. Hon. Don Young, 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. 66, a bill to preserve the cultural resources of the Route 66 corridor and to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance. If you wish further details on the estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. Sincerely, Barry B. Anderson (For Dan L. Crippen, Director). Enclosure. H.R. 66--A bill to preserve the cultural resources of the Route 66 corridor and to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that the National Park Service (NPS) would spend $5 million over the next five years to implement H.R. 66. The government would spend another $5 million over the following five years. Because H.R. 66 would allow the NPS to accept donations, the bill could affect federal revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply. We estimate, however, that any amounts collected would be insignificant. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. State, local, and tribal governments might incur some costs as a result of the bill's enactment, but these costs would be voluntary. H.R. 66 would direct the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the NPS) to create a program for preserving the Route 66 corridor. For that purpose, the NPS would be authorized to accept donations, conduct research, make grants, execute cost- sharing agreements, and provide technical assistance to nonfederal parties. The bill would authorize the appropriation of a total of $10 million over the 2000-2009 period for these purposes. Based on information provided by the NPS and assuming appropriation of the $10 million authorized, CBO estimates that the agency would spend about $5 million between 2000 and 2004. We estimate that about $3 million would be used to establish guidelines and programs required by the bill in 2000 and 2001. The NPS would need about $1 million annually thereafter to carry out the new programs. On March 11, 1999, CBO prepared a cost estimte for S. 292, a similar bill that was ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 4, 1999. The estimated costs of these bills are identical. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. This estimate was approved by Robert A. Sunshine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. compliance with public law 104-4 This bill contains no unfunded mandates. changes in existing law If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law.