Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act

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Mrs. LUMMIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating sites on Rota as a unit of the National Park System. With now almost 400 parks, our far-flung National Park System is already vast and, under this bill, will be extended further to include the island of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Rota's caves and prehistoric relics should be appropriately preserved and its limestone forests and sites commemorating the Japanese occupation properly managed. But it is a mistake to assume that designation as a national park is the only way or is always the best way to manage places that require special administration.

Although our good intentions adding to the park system are unlimited, our ability to pay for every conceivable new park is limited. And our ability to manage the upkeep of our existing parks is obviously in doubt. So I feel compelled to raise a note of caution about this and certain other bills that add to the already very long list of new park ideas awaiting evaluation by the National Park Service.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Austria).

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