On Monday, June 17, 2013, the House will consider H.R. 674, the Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act,under a suspension of the rules. The bill was introduced on February 13, 2013 by Del. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP) and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, which held a mark-up and reported the bill by unanimous consent.

H.R. 674 directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites located on the island of Rota in the Mariana Islands as part of the National Park System.  The study shall be completed within three years after funds are made available, and upon completion, the Secretary is required to report to Congress on the results.

The island of Rota, located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, contains many cultural and natural resources, including prehistoric cave paintings and a natural limestone forest that serves as a habitat for endangered species endemic to the island.[1]  H.R. 674 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to examine the feasibility of designating particular sites on the island as part of the National Park System in order to ensure their protection.

An identical bill (H.R. 1141) passed the House in the 112^th Congress on January 23, 2012 by a recorded vote of 278-100 (Roll no. 6).

Assuming the availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 674 “would cost about $300,000 over the next three years.  Enacting the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.”[1]