Jon L. Christensen: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1113, which authorizes a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument in Georgia, raises a number…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1113, which authorizes a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument in Georgia, raises a number of issues that were discussed at the hearing on this measure in April before the Committee on Resources. Evidently, appraisals and archeological surveys of the lands proposed to be exchanged have not been completed. So the value and historical significance of the proposed lands have not been established. Furthermore, the National Park Service testified that the noncontiguous parcel that the National Park Service would acquire through the exchange will likely increase the administrative and operational costs of the national monument. The National Park Service testimony on H.R. 1113 elaborated on these concerns and, while generally supportive of the exchange, provided little guidance on how they should be addressed. We need to be careful about altering the boundaries of national park system units. Former Resources Committee Chairman Hansen spoke many times about the National Park Service acquiring a historic site that did not contain the historic resources that were claimed. We should not make the same mistake here. In that regard I would note that H.R. 1113 authorizes, but does not require, a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument.”