Key Takeaways
- •Rep. Thomas Tiffany (R, WI-7) led a hearing on six bipartisan bills to modernize park communications, authorize land swaps, and commemorate victims of the 1945 Trinity nuclear test.
- •Tina Cordova (Co-founder, Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium) testified that four generations of her family suffered from cancers caused by nuclear fallout, urging support for the Downwinder Commemoration Act.
- •Rep. Russ Fulcher (R, ID-1) questioned LeAnn Magoski (President, NENA: The 9-1-1 Association) on how legacy analog systems in national parks delay emergency responses by requiring manual data relay.
- •Republican and Democratic members showed broad agreement on the package, though Rep. Tiffany (R, WI-7) scrutinized the million-dollar acquisition cost for land currently held by the Nature Conservancy.
- •These bills move toward a committee markup to finalize boundary adjustments at Mammoth Cave and authorize a federal study of the Monterey Bay region's national heritage significance.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands convened on March 18, 2026, to consider six legislative proposals addressing federal land management, emergency communication infrastructure, and historical commemoration. Chaired by Rep. Thomas Tiffany (R, WI-7), the hearing focused on practical solutions for local community needs, ranging from the modernization of 9-1-1 systems in national parks to the resolution of land-use conflicts between federal agencies and growing municipalities.
Key Testimony
A primary focus of the hearing was H.R. 7031, the Making Public Lands Safer Act, introduced by Rep. Russ Fulcher (R, ID-1). The bill directs the Department of the Interior (DOI) to assess and plan for the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NextGen 911) technology across the National Park System. Witness LeAnn Magoski, President of NENA: The 9-1-1 Association, testified that many National Park Service (NPS) dispatch centers still rely on 1960s-era analog technology. She emphasized that NextGen 911 allows for the transmission of digital data, including photos, videos, and precise X/Y coordinates, which is critical for locating lost or injured visitors in remote terrain. Magoski also urged Congress to pass the Enhancing First Responders Act (S. 725) to reclassify 9-1-1 professionals as public safety personnel rather than clerical staff.
The subcommittee also addressed infrastructure strain in rapidly growing regions, specifically through H.R. 4716, the Saratoga Springs Post Office Act. Introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens (R, UT-4), the bill would transfer 20 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to the United States Postal Service (USPS) to facilitate the construction of a new post office. Mayor Chris Carn of Saratoga Springs, Utah, testified that the region’s population has surged to over 227,000 residents who currently rely on a single, over-capacity facility in Lehi. Rep. Owens expressed frustration with the USPS, noting that despite internal studies validating the need for a new facility, no progress had been made. The bill mandates that the USPS begin operations on the transferred land within two years.
Historical commemoration and justice were central to the discussion of H.R. 4290, the Downwinder Commemoration Act, introduced by Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D, NM-2). The bill seeks to place commemorative plaques at White Sands National Park, White Sands Missile Range, and Holloman Air Force Base to honor the "downwinders"—residents exposed to radioactive fallout from the 1945 Trinity nuclear test. Witness Tina Cordova, co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC), provided emotional testimony regarding the multi-generational health impacts, including rare cancers and high infant mortality, suffered by New Mexican families. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D, NM-3) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D, NM-1) highlighted the recent expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include New Mexico downwinders, noting that the $100,000 compensation is life-changing for families burdened by medical debt.
Two bills focused on land acquisitions and administrative transfers. H.R. 3286, introduced by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), authorizes the NPS to acquire 551 acres for Mammoth Cave National Park. Judge Executive Ronald Scott Lindsey of Edmonson County, Kentucky, testified that the land, currently owned by The Nature Conservancy, contains critical cave passages and habitats for endangered bats. Chairman Tiffany questioned the $1 million asking price, suggesting the possibility of a land gift, though Lindsey noted the funds would be returned to the Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund. Additionally, H.R. 6062, introduced by Rep. Moore (R-AL), proposes a 97-acre land swap at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The NPS would receive 72 acres of historic battlefield land from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), while CBP would receive 25 acres of NPS land to expand its Advanced Training Center. Rep. Moore described the current arrangement as a "donut hole" of CBP land in the middle of a battlefield that hinders maintenance and public access.
Policy Proposals
Finally, the subcommittee reviewed H.R. 5555, the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act, introduced by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D, CA-19). The bill directs the DOI to study the suitability of the Monterey Bay region for a National Heritage Area designation. Rep. Panetta emphasized the area's significance in maritime history, agriculture (the Salinas Valley "salad bowl"), and marine science.
Overview
The hearing demonstrated a high degree of bipartisan cooperation, with members from both parties supporting the various local initiatives. There were no significant confrontations, though Chairman Tiffany's inquiries into the costs of land acquisitions and the USPS's readiness to build in Utah suggested a focus on fiscal and operational accountability.
The hearing record remains open for ten business days for additional responses and materials. Members were instructed to submit any follow-up questions to the subcommittee clerk by March 23, 2026.
Key Testimony
Organizations Identified: - National Park Service (NPS): Discussed regarding the modernization of 9-1-1 systems, the Harpers Ferry land swap, and the acquisition of land for Mammoth Cave National Park. - United States Postal Service (USPS): Criticized for failing to address growth in Utah; the subject of a mandated land transfer for a new post office in Saratoga Springs. - Subcommittee on Federal Lands: The presiding body holding the legislative hearing. - The Nature Conservancy: Identified as the current owner of the 551 acres proposed for inclusion in Mammoth Cave National Park; mentioned regarding the $1 million sale price. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Involved in a land swap at Harpers Ferry to expand its Advanced Training Center while transferring battlefield land to the NPS. - NENA: The 9-1-1 Association (NENA): Represented by witness LeAnn Magoski, who advocated for NextGen 911 implementation and dispatcher reclassification. - Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP): Cited as a local partner supporting the study for a National Heritage Area in Monterey Bay. - CBP Advanced Training Center: The facility slated for expansion under the Harpers Ferry land swap bill. - Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC): Represented by witness Tina Cordova, who advocated for the commemoration of nuclear test victims. - United States Department of the Interior (DOI): Tasked with conducting studies for NextGen 911 and the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area. - Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund: Identified as the entity that originally funded the Nature Conservancy's land purchase and would receive the proceeds from the NPS acquisition. - Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The agency currently managing the 20 acres in Utah proposed for transfer to the USPS. - White Sands Missile Range: A location designated for a commemorative plaque honoring downwinders. - United States Border Patrol: Mentioned in the context of training needs at the CBP Advanced Training Center. - Holloman Air Force Base: A location designated for a commemorative plaque honoring downwinders. - Hollywood Video: Mentioned by Mayor Carn to illustrate the limited commercial landscape of Saratoga Springs in 2005. - Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce: Provided economic impact data regarding the lack of postal services in Saratoga Springs. - House Armed Services Committee: Referenced regarding the inclusion of downwinder plaques in the National Defense Authorization Act. - United States Navy (Navy): Mentioned in the historical context of Commodore John Sloat's arrival in Monterey. - United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Mentioned as being supportive of the Harpers Ferry land swap.
Transcript
The Subcommittee on Federal Lands will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the subcommittee at any time. The subcommittee is meeting today to consider six bills: H.R. 3286 by Representative Guthrie; 4290, Representative Vasquez; 4716, Representative Owens; 5555, Representative Panetta; 6062, Representative Moore of West Virginia; 7031, Representative Fulcher. I ask unanimous consent that the following members be allowed to participate in today's hearing from the dais: gentleman from Kentucky, Mr. Guthrie; the gentleman from California, Mr. Panetta; the gentleman from Utah, Mr. Owens; the gentleman from New Mexico, Mr. Vasquez; and the gentleman from West Virginia, Mr. Moore. Without objection, so ordered. Under Committee Rule 4(f), any oral opening statements at hearings are limited to the chairman and the ranking minority member. I therefore ask unanimous consent that all other members' opening statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted in accordance with Committee Rule 3(o). Without objection, so ordered. I'll now recognize myself for an opening statement. Subcommittee on Federal Lands meets today to consider several bills that touch on a range of issues we deal with regularly: how federal lands are managed, how agencies coordinate with local communities, and how we make sure the places Americans visit every year are safe and accessible. A lot of the work this subcommittee does is practical. It's about fixing problems on the ground, improving coordination between agencies and local communities, and making sure federal land policies work for the people who live closest to these lands and know them best. We'll begin with Making National Parks Safer Act, introduced by Representative Fulcher. National park visitation continues to grow, and when emergencies happen in these areas, reliable communication can literally be the difference between life and death. Many park dispatch centers still rely on outdated analog systems that simply don't work in remote, rugged terrain. This bill directs the Department of Interior to assess the status of NextGen 911 technology across the National Park System and develop a plan to modernize emergency communications. NextGen 911 systems allow emergency dispatch centers to receive not just phone calls, but also texts, photos, and other digital information that can help first responders quickly understand what is happening and where help is needed. These capabilities are especially important in national parks where visitors may have limited connectivity and traditional phone calls are not always possible. Modernizing these systems will help ensure that when Americans visit our public lands, help is available when it's needed most. We will also be considering two transfers of administrative jurisdiction today. The first, H.R. 4716, which was introduced by Representative Owens, addresses a very practical challenge in Saratoga Springs, Utah. This rapidly growing community still does not have its own post office, leaving more than 200,000 residents to rely on a single facility in nearby Lehi, Utah. This legislation would transfer about 20 acres of land managed by the BLM to the U.S. Postal Service so a new post office can be built, improving service for the surrounding communities. The second piece of legislation related to administrative jurisdiction transfers is H.R. 6062, introduced by Representative Moore of West Virginia. This bill carries out a long-planned administrative realignment of federal land near Harpers Ferry National Historical Park between the National Park Service and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The goal is straightforward: allow both agencies to manage land in a way that better supports their missions. Under Representative Moore's bill, the National Park Service will receive approximately 72 acres of land to fully connect a historic Civil War-era battlefield. In exchange, Customs and Border Protection will receive 25 acres of National Park Service land to expand operations at its existing Advanced Training Center. This is a win-win solution as it allows improved access to a historic battlefield in time for America's 250th birthday celebrations and also helps train officers for the important duty of securing our nation's borders. We will also consider H.R. 3286, introduced by Representative Guthrie. This legislation would allow the National Park Service to acquire roughly 551 acres of land, which includes two prominent cave systems, for inclusion in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. I look forward to hearing more about this proposal today and learning about its support within the local community. I'd also like to commend Chairman Guthrie for his leadership on this effort on behalf of his constituents. I want to thank each of our witnesses for being here today, and I look forward to hearing their testimony. With that, I yield back. And first, we are going to hear from Representative Owens on his bill, H.R. 4716. The floor is yours for up to five minutes, Representative.
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