1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Chiricahua National Park Act”.
Chiricahua National Park Act
A BILL
To establish the Chiricahua National Park in the State of Arizona as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
2. Findings
Congress finds that—
approximately 27,000,000 years ago, a powerful volcanic eruption spewed ash and debris thousands of feet in the area that now comprises the Chiricahua National Monument, which ultimately fused into rock known as “rhyolitic tuff”;
over time, the rock referred to in paragraph (1) eroded into the exquisite hoodoos and enchanting balancing rocks that define the captivating scenery of the Chiricahua National Monument;
since the mid-19th century, the Chiricahuas region has been home to ranchers, pioneers, gold miners, and cowboys;
before the first pioneer set foot on land in the Chiricahuas region, Indian Tribes (including most recently the Chiricahua Apache Tribe) inhabited the area that now comprises the Chiricahua National Monument;
in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge established the Chiricahua National Monument by Presidential proclamation to protect and preserve the area for the education and enjoyment of future generations;
the Chiricahua National Monument is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts, the southern Rocky Mountains, and the northern Sierra Madre in Mexico;
the Chiricahua National Monument—
boasts 18 square miles of premier biological diversity; and
has become a hub for hikers, birders, researchers, and nature enthusiasts of all kinds;
the Chiricahua National Monument is home to all manner of life from leopard frogs of not more than 5 inches to black bears weighing more than 600 pounds; and
the vibrant ecosystem of the Chiricahua National Monument supports approximately—
150 species of birds;
70 species of mammals; and
45 species of reptiles.
3. Definitions
In this Act:
Monument— The term “Monument” means the Chiricahua National Monument established by Presidential Proclamation 1692 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note; 43 Stat. 1946).
Park— The term “Park” means the Chiricahua National Park established by section 4(a).
Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.
State— The term “State” means the State of Arizona.
4. Establishment of Chiricahua National Park
Establishment— To protect, preserve, and interpret the rhyolitic rock formations, biodiversity, and other natural and cultural resources of the area, there is established in the State as a unit of the National Park System the Chiricahua National Park.
Boundaries—
In general— The boundaries of the Park are as generally depicted on the map entitled “Chiricahua National Park Proposed Boundary”, numbered 145/156,356, and dated July 2019.
Availability of map— The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
Abolishment of chiricahua national monument—
Abolishment— The Monument is abolished.
Incorporation— The land and any interest in land that constitute the Monument (as in existence on the day before the date of enactment of this Act) are incorporated in, and shall be considered to be part of, the Park.
Availability of funds— Any funds available for the Monument shall be available for the Park.
References—
In general— Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the “Chiricahua National Monument” shall be considered to be a reference to the “Chiricahua National Park”.
Wilderness— Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the “Chiricahua National Monument Wilderness” designated by Public Law 94–567 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 90 Stat. 2692) shall be considered to be a reference to the “Chiricahua National Park Wilderness”.
Administration— The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with—
this Act; and
the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System.