Sec. 602. SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE

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## SEC. 602 SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE ###

(a)Findings Congress finds that— ####

(1)the Everglades is an American treasure and includes uniquely-important and diverse wildlife resources and recreational opportunities; ####

(2)the preservation of the pristine and natural character of the South Florida ecosystem is critical to the regional economy; ####

(3)as this legislation demonstrates, Congress believes it to be a vital national mission to restore and preserve this ecosystem and accordingly is authorizing a significant Federal investment to do so; ####

(4)Congress seeks to have the remaining property at the former Homestead Air Base conveyed and reused as expeditiously as possible, and several options for base reuse are being considered, including as a commercial airport; and ####

(5)Congress is aware that the Homestead site is located in a sensitive environmental location, and that Biscayne National Park is only approximately 1.5 miles to the east, Everglades National Park approximately 8 miles to the west, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary approximately 10 miles to the south. ###

(b)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— ####

(1)development at the Homestead site could potentially cause significant air, water, and noise pollution and result in the degradation of adjacent national parks and other protected Federal resources; ####

(2)in their decisionmaking, the Federal agencies charged with determining the reuse of the remaining property at the Homestead base should carefully consider and weigh all available information concerning potential environmental impacts of various reuse options; ####

(3)the redevelopment of the former base should be consistent with restoration goals, provide desirable numbers of jobs and economic redevelopment for the community, and be consistent with other applicable laws; ####

(4)consistent with applicable laws, the Secretary of the Air Force should proceed as quickly as practicable to issue a final SEIS and Record of Decision so that reuse of the former air base can proceed expeditiously; ####

(5)following conveyance of the remaining surplus property, the Secretary, as part of his oversight for Everglades restoration, should cooperate with the entities to which the various parcels of surplus property were conveyed so that the planned use of those properties is implemented in such a manner as to remain consistent with the goals of the Everglades restoration plan; and ####

(6)not later than August 1, 2002, the Secretary should submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on actions taken and make any recommendations for consideration by Congress. * * * * * * * # TITLE VII MISSOURI RIVER RESTORATION, NORTH DAKOTA