Use of
this site means you accept its terms and conditions.
SHARSMITH PEAK
--Recent naming of another Sierran Peak:
Mt. Andrea Lawrence
Back to Home page
Testimony of U.S. Forest Service on S. 925 (presented July
28, 2011):
S. 925 THE MOUNT ANDREA LAWRENCE DESIGNATION ACT OF 2011
This legislation directs the designation of an unnamed 12,240 foot peak,
located on the boundary between Ansel Adams Wilderness Area and Yosemite
National Park approximately six tenths miles (0.6) northeast of Donahue Peak, as
"Mt. Andrea Lawrence."
The management of the proposed Mt. Andrea Lawrence is shared between the Inyo
National Forest and Yosemite National Park. We have consulted with the U. S.
Department of the Interior - National Park Service in the preparation of this
statement.
Ms. Lawrence was a successful Olympic athlete and a committed public servant,
having served 16-years on the Mono County Board of Supervisors and founded the
Andrea Lawrence Institute for Mountains and Rivers. She was a strong supporter
of the work of the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park. She worked
tirelessly to protect the health and vitality of the environment and economies
in the Eastern Sierra and the Sierra Nevada Region as a whole. Ms. Lawrence
passed away at the age of 76 on March 31, 2009.
The Department has no objection to the enactment of S. 925 and notes that it
would have no adverse impact to the management of the Inyo National Forest, or
the Ansel Adams Wilderness. However, the Board on Geographic Names was created
by Congress in 1947 to establish and maintain uniform geographic name usage
throughout the Federal Government. It is Board policy not to consider names that
commemorate living persons. In addition, a person must be deceased at least
5-years before a commemorative proposal will be considered. In accordance with
the Board's interpretation of Wilderness Act of 1964, the Board on Geographic
Names discourages naming features in congressionally designated wilderness areas
unless an overriding need can be demonstrated. Although the Administration does
not have any objections to the enactment of S. 925, maintaining consistency with
the longstanding policies of the Board on Geographic Names is recommended.
The Department recognizes the contributions of Ms. Lawrence to both the
United States and California, and concurs with the principles embodied in the
legislation. Should the legislation be enacted, the Forest Service would work to
ensure that our visitor information maps reflect the new designation, and
understand that the National Park Service would do the same when their maps,
signs, and other informational materials are replaced or updated.
This concludes my prepared statement and I would be pleased to answer any
questions you may have.
Testimony of U.S. Forest Service on H.R. 1818 (presented March 29, 2012)
STATEMENT OF LESLIE A. C. WELDON
DEPUTY CHIEF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE UNITED
STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS AND
PUBLIC LANDS UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 29, 2012
CONCERNING H.R. 1818- Mt. Andrea Lawrence Designation Act of 2012
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity
to present the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture on H.R. 1818, the Mt.
Andrea Lawrence Designation Act of 2012. We have consulted with the U. S.
Department of the Interior – National Park Service in the preparation of this
statement.
H.R. 1818 – Mt. Andrea Lawrence Designation Act of 2012
This legislation directs the designation of an unnamed 12,240 foot peak,
located on the boundary between Ansel Adams Wilderness Area and Yosemite
National Park approximately six tenths miles (0.6) northeast of Donahue Peak, as
"Mt. Andrea Lawrence." The management of the proposed Mt. Andrea Lawrence is
shared between the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park.
Ms. Lawrence was a successful Olympic athlete and a committed public servant,
having served 16-years on the Mono County Board of Supervisors and founded the
Andrea Lawrence Institute for Mountains and Rivers. She was a strong supporter
of the work of the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park. She worked
tirelessly to protect the health and vitality of the environment and economies
in the Eastern Sierra and the Sierra Nevada Region as a whole. Ms. Lawrence
passed away at the age of 76 on March 31, 2009.
The Department has no objection to the enactment of H.R. 1818 and notes that
it would have no adverse impact to the management of the Inyo National Forest,
or the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
However, the Board on Geographic Names was created by Congress in 1947 to
establish and maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal
Government. It is Board policy not to consider names that commemorate living
persons. In addition, a person must be deceased at least 5-years before a
commemorative proposal will be considered. In accordance with the
2 | P a g e
Board's interpretation of Wilderness Act of 1964, the Board on Geographic
Names discourages naming features in congressionally designated wilderness areas
unless an overriding need can be demonstrated. Although the Department does not
have any objections to the enactment of HR 1818, maintaining consistency with
the longstanding policies of the Board on Geographic Names is recommended.
The Department recognizes the contributions of Ms. Lawrence to both the
United States and California, and concurs with the principles embodied in the
legislation. Should the legislation be enacted, the Forest Service would work to
ensure that our visitor information maps reflect the new designation, and
understand that the National Park Service would do the same when their maps,
signs, and other informational materials are replaced or updated
This concludes my statement, I would be happy to answer any questions that
you may have.
Testimony of National Park Service on naming of Mount Andrea Lawrence
Search on this topic has not yet revealed any testimony.
Legislative History of Mt. Andrea Lawrence Designation Act
of 2011:
http://legiscan.com/US/bill/SB925/2011
President Obama signed the act on January 10, 2013
Send emails to
Sharsmith Peak Committtee
Back to Home page
