Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 106-530.
Official Summary
Great Sand Dunes National Park Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado) as soon as sufficient land having sufficient diversity of resources has been acquired to warrant its designation as a unit of the National Park System; and (2) include the Great Sand Dunes National Monument within such Park.Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve (Colorado) as a unit of the National Park System; and (2) include in the Preserve any Federal land adjacent to the National Park that may be managed in conjunction with the National Park.Sets forth guidelines for: (1) the transfer of administrative jurisdiction from the Secretary to the National Park Service; (2) administration of the National Park and Preserve; (3) hydrologic regime protection; (4) grazing on both Federal and non-Federal National Park lands; and (5) hunting, fishing and trapping within the Preserve.Retains Bureau of Reclamation hegemony over any feature of the Closed Basin Division, San Luis Valley Project, located within the boundaries of the National Park or the Preserve.Withdraws Federal lands within the boundaries of either the National Park or Preserve from all forms of entry and disposition under: (1) public land laws; (2) mining laws; and (3) mineral and geothermal leasing laws.Grants the Secretary acquisition authority in connection with inclusion of non-Federal land and water in the National Park or Preserve, including the Luis Maria Baca Grant No. 4.Precludes the Secretary from prohibiting hunting, fishing, or trapping on non-Federal land located within National Park boundaries.Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to extend the proscription against water withdrawal to: (1) the Great Sand Dunes National Monument and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve; and (2) any Federal land adjacent to such areas. Prescribes procedural guidelines governing water rights.Directs the Secretary to establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park Advisory Council to advise the Secretary regarding preparation and implementation of a management plan for the National Park and Preserve.Authorizes appropriations.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado once sufficient land with diverse resources is acquired. It also authorizes the creation of the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, including adjacent federal lands. The Act sets guidelines for administrative jurisdiction transfer, park and preserve management, protection of hydrologic regimes, and regulations on grazing, hunting, fishing, and trapping. It maintains Bureau of Reclamation control over certain water features within the park and preserve boundaries and withdraws federal lands within these areas from public land, mining, and mineral leasing laws. The Secretary is granted authority to acquire non-federal lands and water, with specific provisions protecting hunting, fishing, and trapping rights on non-federal lands within the park. The Act also extends water withdrawal restrictions and establishes an advisory council to assist with management planning. Appropriations are authorized to support these activities.
This law formally establishes the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, sets management and resource protection guidelines, and provides acquisition and regulatory authority to the Secretary of the Interior.
- Establishes the Great Sand Dunes National Park and authorizes creation of the National Preserve in Colorado.
- Sets management rules including hydrologic protection, grazing, hunting, fishing, and trapping within the park and preserve.
- Withdraws federal lands within the park and preserve from public land, mining, and mineral leasing laws and grants land acquisition authority.
- Maintains Bureau of Reclamation control over water features of the Closed Basin Division within park boundaries.
- Creates an advisory council to guide management planning and authorizes funding.
['U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service for park management and conservation.', 'Local and regional communities in Colorado through potential tourism and natural resource preservation.', 'Recreational users such as hunters, fishers, and trappers on non-federal lands within the park boundaries.', 'Environmental and conservation organizations interested in protecting natural resources.']
['Implementation complexity related to land acquisition and coordination between federal agencies, especially the Bureau of Reclamation.', 'Potential costs associated with land acquisition, park and preserve management, and advisory council operations.', 'Balancing resource protection with allowed activities such as grazing, hunting, fishing, and trapping.', 'Ensuring clear jurisdictional authority given the retention of Bureau of Reclamation control over certain water features.', 'Managing water rights and hydrologic protections within the park and preserve boundaries.']
The bill was introduced and passed during the 106th Congress and was signed into law on November 22, 2000. It reflects ongoing federal efforts to protect and manage significant natural areas by incorporating them into the National Park System. The legislation builds on existing laws such as the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992, extending water withdrawal protections to this region. The law balances conservation goals with existing land use rights and federal water management authorities.
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['Potential increase in tourism and related economic activity in the San Luis Valley region due to national park designation.', 'Enhanced conservation of diverse natural resources and ecosystems within the park and preserve boundaries.', 'Possible changes in local land use patterns due to federal land acquisition and withdrawal from mining and leasing laws.', 'Coordination challenges among federal agencies managing water resources and land use within the park and preserve.']
The bill establishes clear management and acquisition authorities but involves multiple federal agencies with overlapping responsibilities, notably the Bureau of Reclamation and National Park Service. Transparency in interagency coordination and oversight of land acquisition and resource use will be important. The creation of an advisory council provides a formal mechanism for stakeholder input. The Act authorizes appropriations but does not specify funding levels, which may affect implementation timelines and effectiveness.
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