Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act

Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act
Great Seal of the United States
Full title To ensure public access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain in the Hanford Reach National Monument for educational, recreational, historical, scientific, cultural, and other purposes.
Introduced in 113th United States Congress
Introduced on March 14, 2013
Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings (R, WA-4)
Number of Co-Sponsors 0
Agencies affected United States Congress, United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of Energy,
[H.R. 1157 Legislative history]

The Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act (H.R. 1157) is a bill that was introduced into the United States House of Representatives during the 113th United States Congress. The bill would require the United States Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain in the Hanford Reach National Monument in the state of Washington. The bill is supposed to help with tourism and scientific undertakings.[1] It passed the House on June 11, 2013 and was sent to the Senate.

Provisions/Elements of the bill

This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Budget Office, a public domain source.[2]

H.R. 1157 would require the United States Secretary of the Interior to provide access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain in the Hanford Reach National Monument in the state of Washington. The legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with the United States Secretary of Energy, the state of Washington, and other entities to maintain an access road and to provide guided tours to the summit.

H.R. 1157 does not specifically authorize appropriations, but it may affect when a public access road to the summit opens. Rattlesnake Mountain is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, public access to the site is currently being evaluated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in compliance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The cost to provide public access to the mountain summit under current law will depend on the outcome of that evaluation and other ongoing FWS studies. There is an existing road to the summit; however, providing public access to it may require road improvements that would cost a few million dollars according to the agency. The legislation could influence the magnitude and timing of such expenditures; however, the Congressional Budget Office expects that any change in costs relative to those expected under current law would be minimal. Furthermore, any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. H.R. 1157 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.

Procedural history

House

The Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act was introduced into the House on March 14, 2013 by Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA).[3] It was referred to the United States House Committee on Natural Resources and the United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs. On June 11, 2013, the House voted to pass the bill 409-0 in Roll Call Vote 213.<ref name="1157allactions

Senate

The Rattlesnake Mountain Public Access Act was received in the United States Senate on June 12, 2013 and referred to the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.[3]

See also

Notes/References

  1. ↑ Kasperowicz, Pete (11 June 2013). "To the top of Rattlesnake Mountain". The Hill. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "CBO - H.R. 1157". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  3. 1 2 "H.R. 1157 - All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
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