Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008

The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739) was a bill in the 110th Congress "to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes." (Official title.)

Current status


Bill summary

 * Establishes a 106,000 acre wilderness preservation known as the "Wild Sky Wilderness" in the state of Washington (Sec. 101).


 * Applies United States immigration laws and immigration-related labor laws to the Northern Mariana Islands (Sec. 702).


 * Establishes a commission to study the possible creation of a National Museum of the American Latino (Sec. 333).


 * Creates the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois (Sec. 443).


 * Creates the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in New York (Sec. 423).


 * Provides the Northern Mariana Islands with a non-voting delegate in the United States House of Representatives (Sec. 711).


 * Increases the powers of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, which is charged with establishing a permanent memorial for Former President Eisenhower (Sec. 332).


 * Expands the Minidoka Internment National Monument in Idaho to include the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial site in Baingridge, Washington (Sec. 313).

Key votes

 * Vote to pass a bill that extends federal immigration laws to the Northern Mariana Islands, grants the Northern Mariana Islands a delegate in the U.S. House, contains water projects around the United States, designates a wilderness protection area in the state of Washington, and creates heritage areas.

NOTE: CONSIDERED UNDER SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY OF THOSE PRESENT AND VOTING WAS REQUIRED FOR PASSAGE.



Supporters

 * League of Conservation Voters
 * National Parks Conservation Association

Articles and resources

 * Marianas' article Federalization bill offers nonimmigrant program 21 Mar 2008.