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Bears Ears National Monument Expansion Act

H.R. 4518 · 115th Congress · Dec 1, 2017 · Lineage

A BILL

To expand the boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument, to ensure prompt engagement with the Bears Ears Commission and prompt implementation of the Proclamation establishing the Bears Ears National Monument, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Bears Ears National Monument Expansion Act”.

Sec. 2 Definitions

In this Act:
(1)
Map— The term map means the map on page 6 of the “Proposal to President Barack Obama for the Creation of Bears Ears National Monument” submitted by the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition and dated October 15, 2015.
(2)
Proclamation— The term Proclamation means Presidential Proclamation 9558, dated December 28, 2016 (82 Fed. Reg. 1139 (Jan. 25, 2017)).
(3)
Secretaries— The term Secretaries means—
(A)
the Secretary of the Interior with respect to land administered by the Bureau of Land Management; and
(B)
the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to land administered by the Forest Service.

Sec. 3 Expansion of national monument boundaries

(a)
In general— The boundary of the Bears Ears National Monument is hereby expanded to comprise approximately 1,931,997 acres of Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries, as generally depicted on the map.
(b)
Maps and legal descriptions—
(1)
In general— As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall file maps and legal descriptions of the Bears Ears National Monument, as expanded by this section, with—
(A)
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
(2)
Force of law— The maps and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretaries may correct typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
(3)
Public availability— The maps and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management.

Sec. 4 Administration

(a)
In general— Subject to subsection (b), the Secretaries shall administer all land and interests in land held by the United States that are included in the expanded boundary under section 3(a)—
(1)
as part of the monument; and
(2)
in accordance with the Proclamation and applicable laws.
(b)
National park service— The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, shall administer the Natural Bridges National Monument and those portions of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area within the expanded boundary under section 3(a)—
(1)
as part of the monument; and
(2)
in accordance with applicable law.
(c)
Management and engagement— The Secretaries shall promptly carry out the provisions of the Proclamation, including the provisions requiring the Secretaries to meaningfully engage the Bears Ears Commission to—
(1)
ensure the proper care and management of the objects identified;
(2)
ensure that management decisions affecting the monument reflect tribal expertise and traditional and historical knowledge; and
(3)
provide guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of management plans and on management of the monument.
(d)
Acquisition of lands and interests in land— The Secretary may acquire any land, water, or interests in land that are located within the revised boundary of the Monument by—
(1)
donation;
(2)
purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or
(3)
exchange.