CRS-136 



preservation through such other programs as restrictions on dredging, and 

 authorization of purchases and easements by the Department of the Interior 

 (under the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act and the Wetlands 

 Loan Act). 191 / 



Congress also enacted the Manassas Battlefield Park Amendments of 1980, 

 P.L. 96-442 (H.R. 5048), a measure principally setting forth expanded 

 boundaries of this park in Virginia. As enacted, the bill also contained 

 a provision directing the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a two-year 

 study of appropriate protective measures for natural wetlands and undeveloped 

 uplands of the DeKorte State Park in the Hackensack Meadowlands District in 

 New Jersey. This particular provision, drawn from H.R. 8200, was incorporated 

 in the Manassas Battlefield Park bill as a floor amendment during Senate debate 

 on H.R. 5048 on September 29, 1980. 



THE 97th CONGRESS (1981-1982) 



In the 97th Congress, critics of the section 404 program have again con- 

 tinued to question Federal authority and the definition of "navigable waters." 

 Legislation similar to earlier proposals to restrict the scope of the Federal 

 program has been introduced. Senator Tower, a sponsor of bills in both the 96th 

 and 97th Congresses, stated in March 1981 that the Intent of his current bill, 

 S. 777, is to diminish the regulatory burden associated with the Corps' jurisdic- 

 tion over waters that are not utilized for commerce and their adjacent wetlands. 

 The effect of his legislation, which would limit the Corps to regulating waters 

 that are navigable now or could be made navigable by reasonable improvement, 



191 / U.S. Congress. Senate. Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 

 Forestry. Water Bank Act Amendments. Report to accompany S. 837. Senate 

 Report No. 96-449, 96th Cong., 1st Sess. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 

 1979. p. 7. 



