Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Act of 1999
Became Public Law No: 106-76.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Sep 8, 1999
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Act of 1999 - Establishes the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. Abolishes the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and incorporates all land and interests therein as part of the Park. (Sec. 4) Withdraws all Federal lands within the Park from all forms of appropriations under the public land, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to permit grazing within the Park to continue where authorized under permits or leases in existence as of the enactment of this Act: (1) at no more than the current level; and (2) subject to applicable laws, specified provisions of this Act, National Park Service regulations, and to periodic renewal for the lifetime of the holder of such permit or lease, or in the case of a partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, for a period which shall terminate on the same date that the last permit or lease held by such holder terminates, unless the partnership, corporation, or legal entity dissolves or terminates before such time, in which case the permit or lease shall terminate with the partnership, corporation, or legal entity. (Sec. 5) Provides for: (1) additional land acquisition for the Park; (2) revision of the Park's boundary to include such land; (3) an official boundary survey of the Park by the Secretary; (4) hunting on privately owned land added to the Park, subject to limitations, conditions, or regulations prescribed by the Secretary; and (5) termination of such hunting on the date the Secretary acquires fee ownership of the privately owned land. (Sec. 6) Expands the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness to include a specified parcel of land to be administered as a component of the Park. (Sec. 7) Establishes the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area to be managed by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. Withdraws all Federal lands within the Conservation Area from all forms of appropriations under the public land, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Requires the Secretary to permit hunting, trapping, and fishing within the Conservation Area, under certain conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations designating zones where and establishing periods when no hunting or trapping shall be permitted for reasons concerning public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment. Allows the use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area. Requires the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan for the long-range protection and management of the Conservation Area and to transmit the plan to specified congressional committees. Allows revision of the Conservation Area's boundary following acquisition of land necessary to accomplish the purposes for which such Area was designated. (Sec. 8) Designates the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness, within the Conservation Area, as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (Sec. 9) Withdraws certain land identified as tract B on the map entitled "Black Canyon National Park and Gunnison Gorge NCA - 1-22-99" from all forms of entry, appropriation or disposal under the public land, mining, mineral and geothermal leasing laws. (Sec. 10) Provides that nothing in this Act shall: (1) constitute an express or implied reservation of water for any purpose; or (2) affect any private or U.S. water rights in existence before enactment of this Act. Requires any new water rights to be established in accordance with the procedural and substantive requirements of Colorado laws. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to study and report to Congress on land protection and open space within and adjacent to the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Provides for the acquisition of specified private land or interests in land to be added to the Recreation Area. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations.
Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate bill by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11815-11817; text: CR S11815-11817)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate bill by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11815-11817; text: CR S11815-11817)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8786)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8786)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 323.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8780-8786)
Mr. Saxton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 185.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-307.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-307.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8184-8185, S8187-8189; text: CR S8187-8189)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8184-8185, S8187-8189; text: CR S8187-8189)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 140.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-69.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-69.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of the Interior, OMB.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation, and Recreation. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 106-32.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of the Interior, OMB.
Referred to Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1087-1089)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1087, S1089)
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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