[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 32 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   CONVEYING TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THE NEW LONDON NATIONAL FISH 
                      HATCHERY PRODUCTION FACILITY

  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3664) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to 
the State of Minnesota the New London National Fish Hatchery production 
facility.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3664

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF NEW LONDON NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY 
                   PRODUCTION FACILITY.

       (a) Conveyance Authorized.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law and within 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     convey to the State of Minnesota without reimbursement all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the 
     property comprising New London National Fish Hatchery 
     production facility, located outside of downtown New London, 
     Minnesota, including--
       (1) all easements and water rights relating to the 
     property, and
       (2) all land, improvements, and related personal property 
     comprising that production facility.
       (b) Use of Property.--All property and interests conveyed 
     under this section shall be used by the Minnesota Department 
     of Natural Resources for the fishery resources management 
     program.
       (c) Reversionary Interest.--All right, title, and interest 
     in and to all property and interests conveyed under this 
     section shall revert to the United States on any date on 
     which any of the property or interests are used other than 
     for the Minnesota fishery resources management program.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts [Mr. Studds] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Fields] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds].
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3664, introduced by the gentleman from Minnesota 
[Mr. Minge] directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey ownership 
of the New London National Fish Hatchery in New London, MN, to the 
State of Minnesota.
  The hatchery is part of the National Fish Hatchery Program of the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its primary function is to raise 
sportfish, like walleye, bass, channel catfish, and muskie--and I don't 
mean Ed--for State stocking programs. Although considered a part of the 
Federal program, New London Hatchery operations have been funded and 
administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources since 
1983 at a cost of $75,000 a year. Once the property has been 
transferred, the State would continue to assume these costs as well as 
the costs of any repairs or upgrades to the facility that may be 
necessary, resulting in a cost savings to the Federal Government.
  Should the State decide at some time in the future that it no longer 
wants or needs to operate the hatchery or wants to use the facility for 
some other purpose, ownership of the facility and the land would revert 
back to the Federal Government.
  The bill is supported by both the State of Minnesota and the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, and I urge Members to support this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FIELDS of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, while the Merchant Marine and 
Fisheries Committee has not held any hearings on H.R. 3664, I have no 
objection to this legislation.
  This bill would transfer the title of the New London National Fish 
Hatchery facility from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the State 
of Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources. The legislation conveys 
all rights, title, and interest of the United States to the State of 
Minnesota. This includes all property, buildings, water rights, and 
easements of the New London facility.
  It is my understanding that the hatchery has been operated by the 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the Fish and Wildlife 
Service under a memorandum of agreement [MOA] since 1983. This MOA, 
which was extended in 1993, expires in 1998.
  The hatchery facility is actually located on two separate pieces of 
land. One is located outside the town of New London and is owned by the 
Fish and Wildlife Service. The other is located within the town of New 
London; the State had owned the property but transferred it to the Fish 
and Wildlife Service in 1939.
  Finally, the bill stipulates that this property will revert back to 
the Federal Government if the State of Minnesota decides it no longer 
wishes to operate the property as a fishery resource management 
facility.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Fish and Wildlife 
Service supports this transfer, and that this transfer would actually 
save the Federal Government money.
  Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3664, a bill 
to transfer ownership of the New London National Fish Hatchery 
production facility to the State of Minnesota.
  In 1983, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began leasing 
the New London facility from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 
doing so, the State of Minnesota assumed responsibility for all 
operational costs, maintenance, and liability. However, without legal 
ownership of the fish hatchery, the State was limited in its ability to 
make needed improvements. In fact, no major maintenance or upgrades to 
the production facility have been made in 10 years. The transfer of 
this fish production facility to Minnesota will allow the State to make 
necessary fish culture improvements, conduct annual maintenance as 
needed, and ultimately improve the quality of Minnesota's fisheries 
program.
  The passage today of this needed legislation will be a good example 
of how State and Federal Government can cut through bureaucratic 
gridlock and get work done.
  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds] that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3664.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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