,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fbcd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #ab1 #bjbj,ms4 ,escobar introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to designate the ,castner ,range in the ,state of ,texas1 to establish the ,castner ,range ,national ,monument1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,castner ,range ,national ,monument ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,sec4 #c4 ,establishment of ,castner ,range ,national ,monument1 ,texas4,sec4 #d4 ,access and buffer zones4,sec4 #e4 ,management of ,federal lands within the ,national ,monument4,sec4 #f4 ,water4,sec4 #g4 ,border security4,sec4 #h4 ,department of ,army responsibility and authority4,sec4 #i4 ,castner ,range ,national ,monument ,advisory ,council4,sec4 #aj4 ,land conveyance1 ,castner ,range1 ,fort ,bliss1 ,texas4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advisory council ,the term advisory council means the ,castner ,range ,national ,monument ,advisory ,council4 7#b7 ,national monument ,the term ,national ,monument means the ,castner ,range ,national ,monument4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#d7 ,state ,the term ,state means the ,state of ,texas4 #c4 ,establishment of ,castner ,range ,national ,monument1 ,texas 7a7 ,establishment ,subject to valid existing rights1 there is hereby established the ,castner ,range ,national ,monument in the ,state4 7b7 ,area included ,the ,national ,monument consists of ,federal land and interests in ,federal land within ,el ,paso ,county1 ,texas1 as depicted on the map entitled ,castner ,range ,national ,monument4 7c7 ,exclusion of non-,federal land ,the ,national ,monument includes only ,federal land and interests in ,federal land and does not include or apply to private property or other non-,federal land and interests in land within the exterior boundaries of the ,national ,monument4 7d7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the ,national ,monument is to conserve1 protect1 and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the ecological1 scenic1 wildlife1 recreational1 cultural1 historical1 natural1 educational1 and scientific resources of the lands included in the ,national ,monument1 including ,castner ,range and its-- 7#a7 relationship to the ,department of the ,army2 7#b7 role as a water conservation sanctuary through a dozen natural canyons1 arroyos 7gullies1 washes7 and alluvial fans which efficiently transport run-off from the heights through seepage into the large underground ,hueco ,bolsn 7aquifer1 which along with the ,west ,side ,mesilla ,bolsn supplies much of ,el ,paso's water72 7#c7 historical significance1 as it contains numerous archaeological and historical resources that date as far back as the ,paleo-,indian1 ,archaic and historic ,indian groups1 lasted from about #hjjj ,b4,c4 to #djjj ,b4,c4 and was initially characterized by big-game hunting2 7#d7 significance as a habitat for an extremely diverse aggregation of wildlife and plant species of special concern that are thought to inhabit ,castner ,range1 including the sand prickly pear1 the ,texas lyre snake1 and the western burrowing owl2 and 7#e7 significance as a one-of-a-kind vegetation region that includes a mountainous area1 cactus lechuguilla region1 and draw-yucca grassland region4 #d4 ,access and buffer zones 7a7 ,access ,the ,secretary shall continue to provide historical and adequate access to private inholdings within the exterior boundaries of the ,national ,monument4 7b7 ,buffer zones ,nothing in this ,act creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the ,national ,monument4 ,the fact that any activities or uses outside of areas designated by this ,act can be seen or heard within the ,national ,monument shall not preclude the activities or uses outside of the ,national ,monument4 7c7 ,use of easements ,nothing in this ,act shall affect currently used easements located within the ,national ,monument1 including the use of ,trans ,mountain ,highway1 the ,national ,border ,patrol ,museum1 ,el ,paso ,museum of ,archaeology1 and the ,el ,paso ,water ,utilities4 #e4 ,management of ,federal lands within the ,national ,monument 7a7 ,basis of management 7#a7 ,applicable laws ,the ,secretary shall manage the ,national ,monument in a manner that conserves1 protects1 and enhances the natural resources and values of the ,national ,monument1 in accordance with-- 7,a7 this ,act2 7,b7 the ,federal ,land ,policy and ,management ,act of #aigf 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq472 and 7,c7 the ,act of ,june #ag1 #aijb 7commonly known as the ,reclamation ,act of #aijb2 #cb ,stat4 #chh71 and ,acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto4 7#b7 ,resolution of conflicts ,if there is a conflict between a provision of this ,act and a provision of one of the other laws specified in paragraph 7#a71 the more restrictive provision shall control4 7b7 ,tribal cultural uses ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed to enlarge or diminish the rights of any ,indian ,tribe4 7c7 ,management plan 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall develop a comprehensive plan for the protection and management of the ,national ,monument that fulfills the purposes specified in section #c4 ,in implementing the management plan and in considering any recommendations from the advisory council1 the ,secretary shall consult with the advisory council on a regular basis4 7#b7 ,purposes ,the management plan shall-- 7,a7 describe the appropriate uses and management of the ,national ,monument2 7,b7 identify short-term and long-term management actions and prioritize management actions based on projected availability of resources2 7,c7 include a habitat restoration opportunities component2 7,d7 include a recreational opportunity enhancement component2 and 7,e7 include a component that addresses the ,secretary of ,army's remediation of hazardous substances or munitions and explosives of concern within the ,national ,monument4 7#c7 ,public participation and special considerations ,in developing the management plan1 and to the extent consistent with this section1 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall solicit extensive public input2 7,b7 shall take into consideration any information developed in studies of the land within the ,national ,monument2 7,c7 shall assess available climate change information pertinent to the ,national ,monument2 7,d7 shall include standards and practices to ensure the preservation of wildlife corridors and facilitate species migration2 and 7,e7 may incorporate any provision from a resource management plan1 land and resource management plan1 or any other plan applicable to the ,national ,monument4 7d7 ,cooperative agreements ,in carrying out this ,act1 the ,secretary may make grants to1 or enter into cooperative agreements with1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governmental entities and private entities to conduct research1 develop scientific analyses1 and carry out any other initiative relating to the restoration or conservation of the ,national ,monument4 7e7 ,motorized and mechanized vehicles ,except where needed for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency1 the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles on lands within the ,national ,monument shall be permitted only on roads and trails designated for their use4 7f7 ,acquisition and incorporation of lands and interests 7#a7 ,authority ,the ,secretary may acquire non-,federal land within the exterior boundaries of the ,national ,monument only through exchange1 donation1 or purchase from a willing seller4 7#b7 ,management ,any land or interest in land that is located within the ,national ,monument that is acquired by the ,united ,states shall-- 7,a7 become part of the ,national ,monument2 and 7,b7 be managed in accordance with this ,act4 7g7 ,withdrawal ,subject to valid existing rights1 all ,federal land within the ,national ,monument is withdrawn from-- 7#a7 entry1 appropriation1 or disposal under the public land laws2 7#b7 location1 entry1 and patent under the mining laws2 and 7#c7 leasing or disposition under all laws relating to operation of the mineral leasing1 mineral materials1 and geothermal leasing laws4 7h7 ,limited ,conveyance ,authority ,the ,secretary may authorize the conveyance of ,federal land within the ,national ,monument if-- 7#a7 the purpose for which the land is to be conveyed is consistent with the purposes specified in section #c2 7#b7 the conveyance would benefit the ,national ,monument and is in the public interest1 as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7#c7 the conveyance is made in accordance with applicable laws 7including regulations74 7i7 ,wildland fire operations ,nothing in this section prohibits the ,secretary1 in cooperation with other ,federal1 ,state1 and local agencies1 as appropriate1 from conducting wildland fire operations in the ,national ,monument consistent with the purposes specified in section #c4 #f4 ,water ,nothing in this ,act-- 7#a7 affects the use or allocation1 in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act1 of any water1 water right1 or interest in water2 7#b7 affects any vested absolute or decreed conditional water right in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act1 including any water right held by the ,united ,states2 7#c7 affects any interstate water compact in existence on the date of the enactment of this ,act2 7#d7 authorizes or imposes any new reserved ,federal water rights2 or 7#e7 relinquishes or reduces any water rights reserved or appropriated by the ,united ,states in the ,state on or before the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #g4 ,border security 7a7 ,in general ,nothing in this ,act-- 7#a7 prevents the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security from conducting-- 7,a7 undertaking law enforcement and border security activities1 in accordance with section #d7;c7 of the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacc7;c771 including the ability to use motorized access within an area while in pursuit of a suspect2 or 7,b7 any low-level flights over the area that may be necessary for law enforcement and border security purposes2 or 7#b7 affects the #bjjf ,memorandum of ,understanding among the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 the ,department of the ,interior1 and the ,department of ,agriculture regarding cooperative national security and counterterrorism efforts on ,federal lands along the borders of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,withdrawal and administration of certain area ,nothing in this section precludes the ,secretary from allowing within the area described in subsection 7a77#a77;,a7 the installation and maintenance of communication or surveillance infrastructure necessary for law enforcement or border security activities4 #h4 ,department of ,army responsibility and authority 7a7 ,responsibility ,nothing in this ,act shall affect-- 7#a7 the responsibility of the ,department of the ,army under applicable environmental laws1 including the remediation of hazardous substances or munitions and explosives of concern within the ,national ,monument boundaries2 7#b7 the statutory authority of the ,department of the ,army to control public access or statutory responsibility to make other measures for environmental remediation1 monitoring1 security1 safety1 or emergency preparedness purposes2 7#c7 the activities of the ,department of the ,army on lands not included within the ,national ,monument2 or 7#d7 the responsibility of the ,department of the ,army1 in consultation with the ,secretary 7acting through the ,bureau of ,land ,management71 to continue to manage the lands and interests in lands under the ,secretary's jurisdiction within the ,national ,monument boundaries until the ,army transfers administrative jurisdiction of those lands and interests in lands to the ,bureau of ,land ,management4 7b7 ,authority ,the ,secretary of the ,army and the ,secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding whereby the ,secretary of the ,army-- 7#a7 may relinquish administrative jurisdiction over the ,castner ,range1 ,fort ,bliss1 ,texas1 to the ,secretary of the ,interior2 and 7#b7 may not relinquish or diminish the responsibility of the ,secretary of the ,army of responsibilities referred to in subsection 7a74 #i4 ,castner ,range ,national ,monument ,advisory ,council 7a7 ,establishment ,not less than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish an advisory council to be known as the ,castner ,range ,national ,monument ,advisory ,council4 7b7 ,duties ,the advisory council shall advise the ,secretary with respect to the preparation and implementation of the management plan for the ,national ,monument4 7c7 ,applicable law ,the advisory council shall be subject to-- 7#a7 the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app472 7#b7 the ,federal ,land ,policy and ,management ,act of #aigf 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq472 and 7#c7 all other applicable law4 7d7 ,members ,the advisory council shall include #aa members1 to be appointed by the ,secretary1 of whom1 to the extent practicable-- 7#a7 one member shall be appointed after considering the recommendations of the ,el ,paso ,county ,commissioners ,court2 7#b7 one member shall be appointed after considering the recommendations of the head of the ,texas ,parks and ,wildlife ,department2 7#c7 one member shall be appointed to represent ,native ,american ,tribes2 7#d7 one member shall be appointed to represent ,fort ,bliss2 and 7#e7 seven members shall reside in1 or within reasonable proximity to1 the county specified in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d7 with backgrounds that reflect-- 7,a7 the purposes specified in section #c2 and 7,b7 the interest of persons affected by the planning and management of the ,national ,monument1 including persons representing the agricultural1 private land-ownership1 environmental1 recreational1 tourism1 or other non-,federal land interests4 7e7 ,representation ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the membership of the advisory council is fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed by the advisory council4 7f7 ,terms 7#a7 ,staggered terms ,members of the advisory council shall be appointed for terms of #c years1 except that1 of the members first appointed1 #e of the members shall be appointed for a term of one year and #e of the members shall be appointed for a term of #b years4 7#b7 ,reappointment ,a member may be reappointed to serve on the advisory council upon the expiration of the member's current term4 7#c7 ,vacancy ,a vacancy on the advisory council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment4 7g7 ,quorum ,a quorum shall be #g members of the advisory council4 ,the operations of the advisory council shall not be impaired by the fact that a member has not yet been appointed as long as a quorum has been attained4 7h7 ,chairperson and procedures ,the advisory council shall elect a chairperson and establish such rules and procedures as it deems necessary or desirable4 7i7 ,service without compensation ,members of the advisory council shall serve without pay4 7j7 ,termination ,the advisory committee shall cease to exist-- 7#a7 on the date that is #e years after the date on which the management plan is officially adopted by the ,secretary2 or 7#b7 on such later date as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #aj4 ,land conveyance1 ,castner ,range1 ,fort ,bliss1 ,texas ,section #bhdd of the ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjac is repealed4