[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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