To preserve the sovereignty of the United States over public lands and acquired lands owned by the United States, and to preserve State sovereignty and private property rights in non-Federal lands surrounding those public lands and acquired lands.
American Land Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from nominating any Federal lands for inclusion on the World Heritage List pursuant to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage unless: (1) the Secretary publishes a finding that commercially viable uses of nominated lands and lands within ten miles of them will not be adversely affected by such inclusion; (2) the Secretary has reported to the Congress on the lands' natural resources and the impact that the inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such lands; and (3) such nomination is specifically authorized by a law. Authorizes the President to submit proposals for legislation authorizing such a nomination after publication of the Secretary's finding.
Requires the Secretary to object to the inclusion of any property in the United States on the list of World Heritage in Danger (established under the Convention) unless the Secretary: (1) has reported to the Congress on the necessity for such inclusion, the natural resources associated with the property, and the impact such inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such property; and (2) is specifically authorized to assent to the inclusion by a joint resolution of the Congress enacted after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the management of each World Heritage Site within the United States.
(Sec. 4) Prohibits any Federal official from nominating any lands in the United States for designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Provides that any such designation before enactment of this Act shall not have any force or effect, unless the Biosphere Reserve: (1) is specifically authorized by a law enacted before December 31, 2000; (2) consists solely of federally owned lands; and (3) is subject to a management plan that specifically ensures that the use of intermixed or adjacent non-Federal property is not limited or restricted as a result of that designation. Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to specified congressional committees information on the management of each Biosphere Reserve within the United States.
(Sec. 5) Prohibits any Federal official from nominating, classifying, or designating any Federal land located within the United States for a special (including commercial) or restricted use under any international agreement for conserving, preserving, or protecting the terrestrial or marine environment, flora, or fauna (with specified exceptions) unless specifically authorized by law, but authorizes the Secretary to submit proposals for authorizing legislation. Provides that any such nomination, classification, or designation of private or State or local lands shall have no force or effect without the owner's consent or specific authorization by State or local law, respectively.
Laid on the table. (consideration: CR H8538)
Laid on the table. (consideration: CR H8538)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Vento amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, declared that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Vento demanded a recorded vote and pending that, made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to a unanimous consent agreement, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment and the point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Miller of (CA) amendment.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Miller of (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question and by voice declared that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Miller of (CA) demanded a recorded vote and pending that, made a point of order that a quorum was not present. The Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment and the point of no quorum was withdrawn.
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 901 as unfinished business.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8663-8666)
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the further consideration of amendments on which recorded votes had previously been requested and postponed in the following order: Farr amendment, Vento amendment, and the Miller (CA) amendment.
The Farr amendment, printed as amendment No. 5 in the Congressional Record of September 25, 1997 would exempt the California Coastal Ranges Biosphere Reserve from the provisions of the bill.
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The Vento amendment would require that no federal official may nominate, classify, or designate any lands owned by the U.S. for special, commercial, or restricted use under any international agreement unless such nomination, classification, or designation is specifically authorized by law.
An amendment to strike section 4 (b) from the bill.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 901.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 191 (Roll no. 504).
Roll Call #504 (House)On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 191 (Roll no. 504).
Roll Call #504 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Referred to Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation.
Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation. Hearings held.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of the Interior and Office of Management and Budget.