SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12
INTRODUCED BY D. MAHLUM
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING CONGRESS TO SUPPORT A FOUR-STATE "ICE AGE FLOODS NATIONAL GEOLOGIC TRAIL" THAT INCLUDES A GLACIAL LAKE MISSOULA INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND INTERPRETIVE ROADSIDE SIGNS IN WESTERN MONTANA.
WHEREAS, the last great ice age created the gigantic ancient Glacial Lake Missoula, whose repeated cataclysmic floods created the landscape of much of the Columbia River drainage; and
WHEREAS, these floods and their effects are some of the most dramatic geologic events in the history of the earth; and
WHEREAS, the geologic history is both fascinating and visible from existing highways in western Montana, the Idaho panhandle, eastern Washington, northern Oregon, and the Columbia River Valley through the gorge to the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, Congress directed that an Ice Age Floods Study of Alternatives and Environmental Assessment be developed by the National Park Service, together with many individuals and organizations throughout the four-state region; and
WHEREAS, the result of that study is a preferred alternative that recommends an interpretive center in each of the four states as well as a trail system of interpretive signs at key locations along existing roadways; and
WHEREAS, a coordinated, creative, and accurate telling of this natural history story will be of great interest and educational value to the citizenry of these states and to students of all ages; and
WHEREAS, citizens of western Montana have enthusiastically supported the "Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail"; and
WHEREAS, this interesting story will aid the state of Montana and Montana businesses in their efforts to attract tourists to Montana, thus supporting economic development in Montana; and
WHEREAS, the preferred alternative supports the creation of an "Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail", headed by the National Park Service, which would work with and coordinate with state and federal agencies, the tribes, nonprofit organizations, and commercial enterprises to create this interpretive trail; and
WHEREAS, the "Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail" would not include new federal land acquisitions but would rely on existing appropriate public or private sites for the location of an interpretive center and various interpretive highway signs; and
WHEREAS, the preferred alternative recommended that Congress establish an "Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail" to be managed by the National Park Service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
(1) That, seeing educational and economic benefits for the state, the Montana Legislature express its support to Congress for the creation of a coordinated, regional "Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail" under the auspices of the National Park Service and in coordination and partnership with many public and private entities, urge Congress to allocate sufficient funds to the National Park Service to coordinate this interpretive and economic development effort, and in particular support an interpretive center for Glacial Lake Missoula and interpretive roadside signs in western Montana.
(2) That the Secretary of State transmit certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.
(3) That the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to each tribal government located on the seven Montana reservations and to the Little Shell Band of Chippewa.
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Latest Version of SJ 12 (SJ0012.01)
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