U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail

On Wednesday afternoon, Montana senators Max Baucus and Conrad Burns joined their colleagues on the U.S. Senate in unanimously approving legislation that will create an Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the Northwest.

Titled the "Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act of 2005," its congressional summary reads in part:

A trail from Missoula, Montana to the Pacific Ocean, to provide for the public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age Floods and to promote efforts to interpret and educate along the pathways of the floods.

Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to administer the Trail. Allows the Secretary to establish and operate a Trail management office within the vicinity of the Trail.

Requires the Secretary to prepare a cooperative management and interpretation plan for the Trail.

Full Story: http://news.umt.edu/index.asp?sec=1&too=100&eve=8&dat=11/17/2005&npa=983