Cave resources of the Carlsbad area offer outstanding educational, interpretive, and research opportunities and support a major tourism economy for the area. In 1988, over 786,000 people visited Carlsbad Caverns and more than 500,000 went through the main cavern. The magnitude of cave resources and multiple research opportunities makes Carlsbad Caverns National Park an excellent location for a cave research institute. The park staff are in the forefront of current cave research and cave researchers view the Captain Reef area as an outstanding area for learning about cave geology and how caves form. There is evidence that additional research in Lechuguilla Cave may reveal unknown information about how caves are formed and this cave offers a rare opportunity to study cave speleogenesis. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared comments. I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no changes in existing law are made by the bill S. 558, as reported. O Filed under authority of the order of the Senate of August 2 (legislative day, January 3), 1989 Mr. JOHNSTON, from the Committee on Energy and Natural REPORT [To accompany S. 855] The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was referred the bill (S. 855) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a cave research institute at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and an amendment to the title and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. The amendments are as follows: 1. Strike all after the enacting clause, and insert in lieu thereof the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Cave Research Institute Act of 1989". SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress makes the following findings: (a) The world's most exposed fossil reef, Capitan Reef, in southern New Mexico that includes Carlsbad Caverns, contains over 300 caves, including 75 indentified caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and 22 caves in Guadalupe Mountains National Park; (b) Recent explorations of Lechuguilla Cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park have provided much new information about the wonders of this cave including the fact that it is the second deepest cave in the United States and contains outstanding world-class cave features such as gypsum crystal chandeliers and gypsum flowers; (c) The Lechuguilla Cave has been described by cave researchers as possibly the finest cave in America; (d) The interest and excitement of cave researchers throughout the world have been focused on Carlsbad Caverns National Park; (e) Cave researchers could use this research institute as an operational base for study of caves in other regions and as a focal point for storage of data on cave geology and speleology; and (f) The Congress, with the passage of Public Law 100-691, the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988, recognized the significance of cave resources on Federal lands and established the policy that Federal lands be managed in a manner which protects and maintains, to the extent practicable, significant cave resources. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION (a) In order to provide for needed research relating to cave resources on certain lands in the United States, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service shall establish and administer the Cave Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as the "Institute"). The Institute shall function as a center for the orderly and scholarly collection, analysis, and dissemination of research material related to caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Capitan Reef area, and other lands managed by the National Park Service. (b) The Institute shall produce educational and interpretive materials vital to public understanding of cave geology, assist students and researchers as an educational laboratory, and provide for a comprehensive evaluation of cave resources, protection needs, and interpretive information. (c) Research at the Institute shall be directed primarily towards lands managed by the National Park Service, but the Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with other agencies or entities as may be appropriate to carry out the purpose of this Act. SEC. 4. RESEARCH INSTITUTE OPERATIONAL PLAN. Not later than one year after the date that funds are made available under this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and transmit to Congress an operational plan for the Institute to include (a) a research plan, staffing needs for the first five years of operations, proposed cooperative agreements with other agencies and institutions pursuant with existing authorities, and facility needs; and (b) an analysis of operational costs including staffing for five years, cost of facilities, and other appropriate items. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION APPROPRIATION. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Amend the title so as to read: An Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Cave Research Institute. PURPOSE OF THE MEASURE The purpose of S. 855, as ordered reported, is to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer a Cave Research Institute to function as a center for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of research material related to caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Capitan Reef area and other lands administered by the National Park Service. BACKGROUND AND NEED Recent explorations of Lechuguilla Cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico have aroused a great deal of interest by speleologists and the public at large. The extent and depth of this cave, interesting speleological formations, and its unique morphology have led scientists to rate it as one of the finest caves in the world. Speleologists believe that the cave not only offers the opportunity for unparalleled cave research but also for broad scientific research and discovery. |