[20010424]96-395_世界遗产公约和美国国家公园.pdf

Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 96-395 FUpdated April 24, 2001World Heritage Convention and U.S. National ParksLois McHughAnalyst in International RelationsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryOn March 6, 2001, Congressman Don Young introduced H.R. 883, the AmericanLand Sovereignty Act. H.R. 883 requires congressional approval to add any landsowned by the United States to the World Heritage List, a UNESCO-administered listestablished by the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Two years ago, on May 20, 1999,the House passed (by voice vote) an identical bill also numbered H.R. 883, but thelegislation did not pass in the Senate. Sponsors of that bill expressed concern that addinga U.S. site to the U.N. list, which is currently done under executive authority, might notprotect the rights of private property owners or the states. The Clinton Administrationand opponents of the bill argued that the designation has no effect on property rights anddoes not provide the United Nations with any legal authority over U.S. territory. Inrelated legislation, P.L. 106-429, in which H.R. 5526, the Foreign O