[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS ON LAND OWNED BY CITY OF NORTH CHARLESTON, SC

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 273) to remove certain restrictions from a parcel of 
land owned by the city of North Charleston, SC, in order to permit a 
land exchange, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                 S. 273

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

     SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF DEED RESTRICTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the terms and conditions set 
     forth in subsection (b), the Secretary of the Interior 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall execute 
     such instruments as are necessary to remove the deed 
     restrictions described in subsection (c), in order to allow 
     the city of North Charleston, South Carolina (hereinafter 
     referred to as the ``city'') to enter into a land exchange.
       (b) Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary shall remove the 
     deed restrictions described in subsection (c) on the 
     condition that--
       (1) the city exchange the parcel of land described in 
     subsection (d) for another parcel of land to be subject to 
     the same restrictions, exceptions, reservations, conditions, 
     and covenants described in subsection (c), and encumbered by 
     a reversionary interest to be held by the United States to be 
     exercised, at its option, should all or any portion of such 
     parcel cease to be used for public park or recreational 
     purposes;
       (2) the city convey all mineral interests to the United 
     States in the parcel received by the city pursuant to the 
     land exchange referred to in paragraph (1); and
       (3) the city receive such sums as are necessary to equalize 
     the values of the parcels exchanged: Provided, That any sums 
     received by the city pursuant to this paragraph shall be 
     used by the city only for public park or recreation 
     purposes.
       (c) Deed Restrictions.--The deed restrictions referred to 
     in paragraphs (a) and (b) are those restrictions, exceptions, 
     reservations, conditions, and covenants described in the 
     Quitclaim Deed of the United States to the City of North 
     Charleston, South Carolina, dated August 9, 1978 (Deed Books 
     of Charleston County, South Carolina, on page 318 of book 
     T116).
       (d) Land Description.--The parcel of land referred to in 
     subsection (a) consists of approximately 21.6 acres in 
     Charleston County, South Carolina, as described on page 318 
     of book T116 of the Deed Books of Charleston County, South 
     Carolina.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota [Mr. Vento] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento].


                             general leave

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 273 is a Senate-passed measure that deals with lands 
in the city of North Charleston, SC, that the United States conveyed to 
the city for public park and recreation purposes. Under the terms of 
the conveyance, the lands cannot be used for any other purpose.
  The bill would allow the city to transfer the lands to the Westvaco 
Co., a neighboring landowner, in return for lands owned by that company 
that would be required to be used for park and recreation purposes.
  The difference in value between the two tracts would be equalized 
through payment of money to the city, and these funds would also have 
to be used for park and recreation purposes.
  According to the latest information from the National Park Service, 
this would involve a payment of about $192,000 to the city of North 
Charleston.
  The bill was approved by the Natural Resources Committee without 
amendment. I am not aware of any controversy concerning it, and I urge 
its approval by the House.

                              {time}  1330

  Mr. Speaker, I urge the approval of the bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 273, which would authorize a 
land exchange in the city of North Charleston, SC.
  As explained in detail by the National Parks, Forests and Public 
Lands Subcommittee Chairman, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento], 
this bill provides for a win-win solution which ultimately provides 
better recreational opportunities for residents of the area.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the Senate bill, S. 273.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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