with existing policy. Does the Department of Agriculture also support the amendments proposed by the Department, and if your recommendations are incorporated, does the Department of Agriculture support S. 546?

Ms. ESTILL. The simple answer is yes, we still haven't worked out all of the nuances with the Department of the Interior, but in general we have very few additions or suggested changes in this at this point.

Senator AKAKA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator THOMAS. S. 643, in addition to the Hibben Center, this is a cooperative thing between the university and the Park Service, is that correct?

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir.

Senator THOMAS. What size of an expansion are you talking about?

Mr. Ross. Well, Senator, this has been in the works for some time as a means, working cooperatively with the University of New Mexico, which was certainly facilitated by a very generous contribution years ago by Dr. Hibben in the amount of, I believe, $4 million to help establish this facility. The total square footage for the Hibben Center is estimated to be just under 40,000 square feet. Of that, the National Park Service would be using 14,000 feet, so about, a little bit under, I believe.

Senator THOMAS. You mean after the expansion?

Mr. Ross. After the expansion, that would be the amount that would be used by the Park Service to store archaeological re

sources.

Senator THOMAS. And it's managed by the university?

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir.

Senator THOMAS. And we're paying 371⁄2 percent of the cost?

Mr. Ross. We would be paying costs associated with the construction of that, plus funding to help with the ongoing maintenance of that particular facility.

Senator THOMAS. I see. Okay. S. 677 is the Black Canyon National Park and Boundary Adjustment. This is a rather significant amount of acreage what is it, 7,000?-in the conservation area, 7,000 acres. What does a conservation area mean?

Mr. Ross. Well, the conservation area, I believe, is a portion that is the component of the Bureau of Land Management area. Is that I'm sorry, I'm not clear on your question.

Senator THOMAS. What is it? Is it like an easement? What are the restrictions on a conservation area?

Mr. Ross. Well, you're referring, sir, to the BLM area?

Senator THOMAS. Apparently, the 7,000 acres, yes, that's in the conservation as opposed to the Black Canyon Park

Mr. Ross. Perhaps I could call a representative of the Bureau of Land Management to answer that particular question, who is more familiar with that than I am.

Mr. JUEN. The national conservation area is an area that is legislated by Congress, and it has specific provisions in it for what resources would be protected, and in there it would identify by the specific legislation what those restrictions would be, and what would be allowed, what activities would be allowed.

Senator THOMAS. So this is purchase of private land to be converted to conservation?

Mr. JUEN. Of that, most of that has already been acquired through an exchange process with private landowners where an exchange was already conducted.

Senator THOMAS. I see, so what are we talking about, then, just putting it in a category?

Mr. JUEN. Including it into the national conservation area boundary.

Senator THOMAS. I see. And the 2,700 acres is in the Park Service, then?

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir. This would involve both the conservation area and the part administered by the National Park Service.

Senator THOMAS. This has been going on for quite a while, hasn't it, these changes in the Black Canyon?

Mr. Ross. I believe that's correct, sir.

Senator THOMAS. I remember hearing about them every year.
Okay, any questions on that one, sir?

Senator AKAKA. No questions, Mr. Chairman.

Senator THOMAS. I guess designation of the Kris Eggle Center, that's simply a name change.

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir.

Senator THOMAS. There doesn't seem to be any controversy about that.

Senator AKAKA. Mr. Chairman, Senator Levin has submitted a statement in support of S. 1060, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Visitors' Center designation, which he has asked to be included in the record.

Senator THOMAS. Certainly. That will be included without objection.

[The prepared statement of Senator Levin follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. CARL LEVIN, U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN

I thank Senator McCain for introducing legislation (S. 1060), which I have recently co-sponsored, that would rename the visitor center at Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona after Kris Eggle. As the members of the committee are aware, Kris was fatally wounded in the line of duty at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on August 9th, 2002 when he was shot trying to interdict drug traffickers. Kris was 28 years old.

Kris grew up in my home state of Michigan and graduated as valedictorian of Cadillac High School in 1991. An All-American cross-country runner while in high school, he attended the University of Michigan where he graduated with honors in 1995. When speaking at his funeral, his high school teammate Paul McMullen remarked of Kris, "He set the bar."

Following graduation, Kris showed the same dedication to his job with the National Park Service. Initially assigned to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, he was reassigned to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in 2000. He loved his job as a park ranger. In fact, he was so dedicated that he once missed a function at which he was to receive an award. He remarked, “I want to get back to Organ Pipe. I want to get back to my job. I want to get back to my co-workers. I want to get back and do the job that I have been hired to do."

Kris arrived at work on that fateful day anxious to get out and do his job. When Mexican police reported that armed fugitives had fled across the border into the U.S. he responded without hesitation with three U.S. border officials. Pursuing the fugitives on foot, they were able to apprehend one of them. However, in the attempt to catch the other two, Eggle was ambushed and shot by one of the suspects with an AK-47.

Much is made of the sacrifices people make for our nation. Kris made the ultimate sacrifice. Each year, over 300,000 people travel to Organ Pipe to view the dramatic

desert wilderness. Kris perished fighting to ensure that these visitors remain safe while they enjoy the beauty of one of our nation's finest parks. I can think of no better tribute to this fine young American and to the men and women like him who work in our parks and protect our borders rededicating the visitor center in his name. Again, I am grateful to Senator McCain for his initiative.

Senator THOMAS. This is the officer who was killed in an illegal crossing of the border?

Mr. Ross. Yes, he was. Yes, and this has been something that we feel would be very appropriate to his memory. We've been in touch with his parents, who are very supportive of this, and believe this is a great way to commemorate his memory.

Senator THOMAS. About a year ago, I believe.

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir.

Senator THOMAS. The Park Service Director was in Wyoming and had to head out for the funeral, as I recall.

Mr. Ross. I believe she was with you, sir, on the trail ride and had to depart for the site.

Senator THOMAS. Yes, that's right. Very good.

The easement to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center sounds pretty reasonable. There's no question on that.

Let's see, 2003 is the Carter Woodson home. What would that become, then? That would become a National Park Service unit?

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir, it would. If it were enacted into law, it would become a park service unit administered by the National Park Service.

Senator THOMAS. And you're supportive of that.

Mr. Ross. No, sir.

Senator THOMAS. You're not.

Mr. Ross. We support, in fact, that this is worthy of designation, but we also recognize that we have other commitments to deal with the operation and maintenance backlog, and we recommend a deferral on this through the next Congress, sir.

Senator THOMAS. I see. Okay. You do have a backlog.

Mr. Ross. Yes, sir, we do have a backlog.

Senator THOMAS. All right. Any question on that?

Senator AKAKA. Mr. Chairman, no questions, but I would like to do one last thing. I would like to recognize my three interns from my office who are here in the audience from Hawaii, and I would like to ask them to stand as I call your name. Alyssa Ellis, Sean Tamura-Sato, and Vanessa Quiban. These are my interns. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Senator THOMAS. Very good. We're happy to have you here. Someone suggested we name Senator Akaka's office after you. [Laughter.]

Senator THOMAS. Okay, well, thank you for being here, and your assistance. Any other questions, sir?

Senator AKAKA. No questions.

Senator THOMAS. If not, the committee is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 3:15 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

APPENDIX

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

STATEMENT OF HON. DOUG BEREUTER, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEBRASKA Chairman Thomas, Senator Akaka, and members of the Subcommittee: I am pleased to have this opportunity to offer testimony in support of H.R. 255. This is a non-controversial, but very necessary bill and it has the support of the National Park Service. The legislation would simply grant an easement to Otoe County in Nebraska allowing it to build an access road to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trails and Visitors Center which is now under construction at a site adjacent to Nebraska City, Nebraska. The road will be built and maintained by the county.

I originally introduced this legislation during the 107th Congress when it became clear that the National Park Service could not grant this easement without congressional action. Otoe County has agreed to construct and maintain the access road. The House approved this legislation by voice vote on May 14, 2003.

When completed, the access road facilitated by H.R. 255 will lead visitors from the State Highway Route 2 Expressway to an outstanding Lewis and Clark interpretive center. The center is scheduled to be completed in early 2004 with the grand opening set on July 30, 2004, which coincides with the Lewis and Clark signature event in Nebraska at historic Fort Atkinson, the site of the famous "Council Bluff" in Nebraska where Lewis and Clark had their first council with Native American leaders.

I believe that passage of H.R. 255, will play a small, but vital role in permitting ready access to the new visitors center and thus increase the attention to the bicentennial activities. As someone with a long-standing interest in the Expedition and a co-chair of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucus, I encourage the Subcommittee to act favorably and expeditiously on this bill.

STATEMENT OF HON. PETE HOEKSTRA, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN

Thank you, Chairman Thomas, for allowing me to submit my testimony to the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks on H.R. 1577, a bill to designate the visitors' center at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, as the “Kris Eggle Visitors' Center."

I co-sponsored H.R. 1577 with Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado to memorialize the life of Kris Eggle, a National Park Service Ranger who was murdered last August in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a National Parks Service unit deep in the American Southwest.

The legislation designates the Organ Pipe visitors' center in Kris' name to honor his memory and legacy.

Kris was a 28-year-old National Park Ranger assigned to Organ Pipe at the time of his tragic death on Aug. 9, 2002, while helping to chase two Mexican nationals suspected to killing four people over a drug debt. Organ Pipe National Monument is considered the most dangerous National Park Service posting, according to the July 2002 survey of park rangers. Last year, Park Rangers seized nearly 750,000 pounds of drugs in the park.

In February 2003, Congressman Tancredo and I visited Organ Pipe to witness firsthand how severe conditions are at the U.S.-Mexico border that led to Kris' death. Kris was the best of the best, graduating valedictorian of Cadillac High School in 1991. He was an accomplished cross-country runner at Cadillac High School and went on to be a top cross-country runner at the University of Michigan, where he graduated with honors in 1995.

After graduation, he chose government service as the field in which he was to commit his life, and subsequently joined the National Parks Service. He started at

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where he served as a ranger on both North and South Manitou Island. He had been stationed in Arizona since 2000. People who knew Kris said that he had one of the brightest futures possible in the Parks Service.

I encourage the subcommittee to move quickly on this legislation so that we can post this tribute to Kris at a place that was very special to him.

Again, Chairman Thomas, thank you for your consideration of my testimony.

STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
FROM COLORADO

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony to the Subcommittee in support of both H.R. 1577, and S. 160. Both bills would name the Visitor Center in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona for Kris Eggle, a Park Ranger who lost his life in the line of duty last summer.

I like to thank the distinguished Senator from Arizona, Mr. McCain who has been instrumental in helping to move this legislation. I would also like to thank Chairman Radanovich and Chairman Pombo on the House side for their work on fixing a few technical and drafting errors in the original version of the legislation before House passage, and I thank Senator Thomas for his willingness to allow for consideration of the bill today.

Mr. Chairman, Kris Eggle was a brilliant young park ranger in one of the most beautiful units of the National Park system, when he was killed last summer by a drug smuggler who had crossed into the United States after committing two murders in Mexico.

Last August, Kris and three U.S. Border Patrol officers responded after Mexican police reported that two armed fugitives had fled across the border into the U.S. A border patrol helicopter directed Eggle and the other officers to the location where the suspects had abandoned their vehicle. Kris pursued the smugglers on foot, apprehending one suspect before he was shot and killed. Kris was only 28 years old. I have personally visited Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on numerous occasions, as I know Senator McCain has. And I am certain that he would agree with me that "Organ Pipe"-as it is often called-is one of the most strikingly beautiful units in the National Park system. It is, unfortunately, also one of the most dangerous.

According to the Fraternal Order of Police, it is a hotbed of illegal activity, a major thoroughfare for illegal aliens, and an area that is used heavily by drug smugglers. Just last year, some 200,000 illegal border-crossers and 700,000 pounds of drugs were intercepted at the park. This constant danger is something that rangers like Kris-who at this very moment are patrolling the vast and remote expanses of the Monument-have unfortunately become accustomed to.

Kris, like many BLM, Parks Service, and Forest Service law enforcement officers, was on the front lines on a battlefield we pay far too little attention to. He gave his life in service to this country, and we should all be proud of his heroism, and we should not forget.

By passing this bill today, this committee can help us to both memorialize Kris' personal sacrifice to this nation, and remind the American people of the perils faced, and sacrifices made by those public lands law enforcement officers who work each day to patrol our Parks, Refuges, and Forests—particularly those located along our increasingly dangerously porous international borders.

Thank you again, Senator Thomas and members of the subcommittee.

STATEMENT OF THE SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY, NORTHBROOK, IL We are very honored to testify on behalf of our more than 2000 professional and amateur members in support of S. 546, The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act. A heightened public interest in dinosaurs and other extinct life forms has given paleontologists an unprecedented opportunity to share with the public the excitement of recent advances in this fascinating science that records the history of life on our planet. Dinosaurs and fossils are now the window through which most young children get their first introduction to science, inspiring a life-long interest in science. White it is gratifying that the public has become more interested in the history of life on our planet, and while paleontologists have been eager to share this knowledge, heightened visibility has also led to the increased commercialization and deliberate destruction of fossils. This has led to a black market trade in fossils from foreign countries (in violation of export laws) and to the theft of fossils from public and private lands in the United States.