[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 108 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 OPAL CREEK FOREST PRESERVE ACT OF 1994

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3905) to provide for the establishment and 
management of the Opal Creek Forest Preserve in the State of Oregon, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3905

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Opal Creek 
     Forest Preserve Act of 1994''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Opal Creek Forest Preserve.
Sec. 5. Administration of the Preserve.
Sec. 6. Prohibitions regarding the management of the Preserve.
Sec. 7. Access to and acquisition of non-Federal land.
Sec. 8. Authority of the Secretary and responsible parties to conduct 
              environmental response actions or pursue liability.
Sec. 9. Grandfather clause.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Old-growth forests are unique ecosystems that serve as 
     critical habitat for hundreds of vertebrate and invertebrate 
     animals, plants, and fungi.
       (2) Old-growth forests provide clean and plentiful water 
     and support streams and rivers containing runs of anadromous 
     and resident cold water fish, which are wholly dependent on 
     high quantity and quality water for migration, spawning, 
     rearing, and cover.
       (3) The high quantity and quality of water in streams and 
     rivers in old-growth forests can only be maintained by 
     protecting the watersheds of these streams and rivers.
       (4) Old-growth forests provide unique and outstanding 
     opportunities for educational study, scientific research, and 
     recreation.
       (5) The establishment of a watershed and forest preserve to 
     protect areas of old-growth forests and surface waters can 
     contribute significantly to the quality of life for the 
     residents of the State of Oregon through education, 
     recreation, and a protected water supply.
       (6) The area known as the Opal Creek Forest, located on the 
     upper Little North Fork of the Santiam River in the State of 
     Oregon, contains one of the largest remaining intact old-
     growth forest ecosystems in the Western Oregon Cascades. 
     Although the landscape mosaic in the Opal Creek Forest may 
     reflect some past logging, young stands of trees in the area 
     mainly owe their existence to natural disturbances, chiefly 
     wildfire.
       (7) The Opal Creek Forest contains outstanding geological 
     and botanical features and contains attributes of historic 
     and prehistoric importance.
       (8) The recreational use of the Opal Creek Forest, 
     typically in the form of hiking, sightseeing, and the general 
     enjoyment of the outdoor environment, is significant and 
     likely to increase.
       (9) It is desirable to limit the human-related disturbances 
     and development of the Opal Creek Forest in order to protect 
     fully the special features of the forest and maintain the 
     full potential of its watershed for scientific, educational, 
     and research purposes.
       (10) Preservation of the Opal Creek Forest provides 
     outstanding opportunities for scientists to conduct research 
     regarding old-growth forests and for educators to provide 
     scientifically credible information to the public.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to protect and preserve the forests and watersheds 
     contained in the Opal Creek Forest Preserve;
       (2) consistent with paragraph (1), to promote and conduct--
       (A) research in the Preserve regarding old-growth forests 
     in a manner that does not include the harvesting of timber or 
     otherwise damage the ecosystem; and
       (B) educational programs in the Preserve on old-growth 
     forests and cultural and historic resources in the Preserve; 
     and
       (3) consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2), to permit and 
     regulate recreation in the Preserve.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this Act:
       (1) Preserve.--The term ``Preserve'' means the Opal Creek 
     Forest Preserve established in section 4(a).
       (2) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
     the management plan for the Preserve developed pursuant to 
     section 5(b).
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.

     SEC. 4. OPAL CREEK FOREST PRESERVE.

       (a) Establishment of Preserve.--There is hereby established 
     the Opal Creek Forest Preserve in order to protect and 
     preserve the forests and watersheds in the Preserve and to 
     promote the research, educational, and recreational purposes 
     of this Act.
       (b) Description of Preserve.--The Preserve shall consist of 
     those Federal lands located in the Willamette and Mt. Hood 
     National Forests in the State of Oregon that are generally 
     depicted on the map dated August 1994, and entitled the 
     ``Opal Creek Preserve Area''. The Preserve shall also include 
     such lands as may be added under section 7 of this Act. The 
     map referred to in this subsection shall be kept on file and 
     made available for public inspection in the Office of the 
     Chief of the Forest Service, United States Department of 
     Agriculture.

     SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRESERVE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the 
     Preserve in accordance with this Act and with the laws, 
     rules, and regulations applicable to National Forest System 
     lands in a manner that will further the purposes of this Act.
       (b) Management Plan.--The Secretary shall prepare a 
     comprehensive management plan for the Preserve to achieve the 
     purposes of this Act. The management plan shall be considered 
     to be a nonsignificant amendment to the Willamette and Mt. 
     Hood Forest Land and Resource Management Plans. The 
     management plan shall be prepared with public involvement 
     which shall include consultation with interested individuals 
     and organizations. The Secretary may enter into memoranda of 
     understanding with interested parties to accomplish the 
     purposes of this Act. The management plan shall include 
     analysis and direction on the use of campfires within the 
     Preserve.
       (c) Protection of Cultural and Historic Resources.--Not 
     later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary shall review and revise the inventory of 
     the cultural and historic resources in the area covered by 
     the Preserve, which was originally developed pursuant to the 
     Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-328; 16 U.S.C. 
     1131 note). The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress 
     describing the results of the review of such inventory.
       (d) Applicability of Mining, Mineral Leasing, and Disposal 
     Laws.--
       (1) Restriction.--After the date of the enactment of this 
     Act--
       (A) lands within the Preserve shall not be open to the 
     location of mining claims and mill and tunnel sites under the 
     general mining laws of the United States;
       (B) the Secretary shall not issue any lease under the 
     Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 and following) or the 
     Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 100 and following) 
     for lands within the Preserve; and
       (C) lands within the Preserve shall not be available for 
     disposal of mineral materials under the Act of July 31, 1947, 
     commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 601 
     and following).
       (2) Acquired lands.--The restriction provided by paragraph 
     (1) shall also apply to any Federal lands added to the 
     Preserve after the date of the enactment of this Act, except 
     that the restriction shall apply to such lands only upon 
     addition to the Preserve.
       (e) Private Inholdings.--The Secretary may cooperate with, 
     and provide technical assistance to, private landowners, 
     organizations, and other entities holding private lands 
     within the boundaries of the Preserve to promote the use and 
     management of such lands in a manner consistent with the 
     purposes of this Act.

     SEC. 6. PROHIBITIONS REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE 
                   PRESERVE.

       (a) Prohibition on Logging or Other Timber Harvesting.--
       (1) Prohibition.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     cutting of trees in the Preserve is prohibited.
       (2) Exceptions.--The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) 
     shall not apply to the extent that the Secretary determines 
     that the cutting of specific trees in the Preserve is 
     necessary--
       (A) for public safety, such as to control the spread of a 
     forest fire in the Preserve or on lands adjacent to the 
     Preserve; or
       (B) for administrative use related to activities permitted 
     in the Preserve.
       (3) Limitation on exception.--The cutting of trees 
     authorized under paragraph (2) may not include salvage sales 
     or harvests of commercial quantities of timber in the 
     Preserve.
       (4) Collection of downed wood.--The collection of downed 
     wood for firewood by permit may be allowed in a manner 
     consistent with the purposes of this Act.
       (b) Prohibition on Off Road Motorized Travel.--
       (1) Prohibition.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
     subject to valid existing rights, the use of motor vehicles 
     off or outside of the established roadbed of roads in the 
     Preserve is prohibited.
       (2) Exception.--The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) 
     shall not apply to the extent that the Secretary determines 
     that the use of a motor vehicle off or outside of the 
     established roadbed of a road in the Preserve is necessary 
     for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency.
       (c) Prohibition on Use of Certain Roads.--
       (1) Prohibition.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
     subject to valid existing rights, the use of motor vehicles 
     is prohibited on the following roads located in the Preserve:
       (A) Forest road 2209 from the gate in existence on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act eastward to the intersection of 
     the road with the wilderness boundary.
       (B) Forest roads 290 and 330, which are spur roads to the 
     road described in subparagraph (A).
       (2) Exceptions.--The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) 
     shall not apply to the extent that the Secretary determines 
     that the use of the roads described in such paragraph is 
     necessary for administrative purposes or to respond to an 
     emergency.
       (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
     be construed to prohibit inholders and claim holders of valid 
     mining claims from using the roads described in paragraph (1) 
     for ingress and egress to their inholdings or valid mining 
     claims, subject to such reasonable terms and conditions, 
     consistent with the purposes of this Act, as the Secretary 
     may prescribe. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed 
     to prohibit motor vehicle traffic on other roads established 
     in the Preserve, in particular those forest roads providing 
     access for claim holders of valid mining claims for the use 
     of lands in the Preserve or within the Cedar Creek watershed 
     within two miles outside of the boundaries of the Preserve.
       (d) Prohibition on Road Construction.--
       (1) Prohibition.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
     subsection (e), and subject to valid existing rights, the 
     construction of new roads is prohibited in the Preserve.
       (2) Exceptions.--The prohibition contained in paragraph (1) 
     shall not apply to the extent that the Secretary determines 
     that the construction of new roads, or the improvement of 
     existing roads, in the Preserve is necessary to accomplish 
     the purposes of this Act or to provide access to inholdings 
     or for claim holders of valid mining claims for the use of 
     lands in the Preserve or within the Cedar Creek watershed 
     within two miles outside of the boundaries of the Preserve. 
     The Secretary may maintain or improve roads in the Preserve 
     to the extent the Secretary determines that such maintenance 
     or improvements are necessary to accomplish the purposes of 
     this Act, to provide for the protection of the natural 
     resources of the Preserve, to provide for public safety, or 
     to ensure access for inholders and claims holders of valid 
     mining claims for the use of lands in the Preserve or within 
     the Cedar Creek watershed within two miles outside of the 
     boundaries of the Preserve.
       (3) Limitation on exception.--The construction or 
     improvement of roads in the Preserve pursuant to paragraph 
     (2) or subsection (e) may not include paving or any work 
     beyond 50 feet on either side of the centerline of the road 
     bed.
       (e) Utilities and Accompanying Road.--In compliance with 
     applicable laws and the Willamette National Forest Land and 
     Resource Management Plan, the Secretary may allow the 
     installation and maintenance of power lines and water lines 
     (and an accompanying service road) through the Preserve to 
     serve authorized activities conducted on land within the 
     Cedar Creek watershed within two miles outside of the 
     boundaries of the Preserve.

     SEC. 7. ACCESS TO AND ACQUISITION OF NON-FEDERAL LAND.

       (a) Inventory and Acquisition of Non-Federal Lands.--The 
     Secretary shall conduct an inventory of all non-Federal lands 
     and interests in lands within the boundaries of the Preserve. 
     The Secretary may acquire such inventoried lands (or 
     interests in such lands) for inclusion in the Preserve. The 
     Secretary may not acquire, for inclusion in the Preserve, any 
     lands or interests in lands within the boundaries of the 
     Preserve without the consent of the owner, unless the 
     Secretary determines that the land is being developed or 
     managed (or is proposed to be developed or managed) in a 
     manner inconsistent with the purposes of this Act. Nothing in 
     this Act may be construed to prevent the Secretary from 
     increasing the size of the Preserve.
       (b) Special Rule for Santiam No. 1 Lode Mining Claim.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (a), the parcel of real property 
     located within the boundaries of the Preserve that is known 
     as the Santiam No. 1 lode mining claim and identified in 
     section 8140 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 
     1992 (Public Law 102-172; 105 Stat. 1213), may be acquired by 
     the Secretary only--
       (1) by purchase for an amount equal to not more than the 
     sum of--
       (A) the amount that the original patentee of the parcel 
     paid for the parcel; and
       (B) the cost of any improvements made to the parcel by the 
     patentee; or
       (2) by donation.
       (c) Rights-of-Way.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to affect the authority of the Secretary to acquire 
     road and trail rights-of-way on lands in the Preserve under 
     existing authorities.
       (d) Access and Utilities to Inholdings.--
       (1) In general.--In the case of private inholdings located 
     within the boundaries of the Preserve, the Secretary shall 
     authorize the use of Federal land in the Preserve by the 
     holder of the inholding to assure adequate access to the 
     inholding under applicable law.
       (2) Jawbone flats.--With respect to the inholding known as 
     the Jawbone Flats area, the Secretary shall authorize the use 
     of Federal land in the Preserve by the owners of the 
     inholding to provide for access and utilities for a facility 
     in the inholding if the Secretary determines that the 
     facility (and use of the facility) is consistent with the 
     purposes of this Act.
       (3) Terms and conditions.--The use of Federal land in the 
     Preserve under this subsection shall be subject to such 
     reasonable terms and conditions, consistent with the purposes 
     of this Act, as the Secretary may prescribe.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY AND RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO 
                   CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE ACTIONS OR 
                   PURSUE LIABILITY.

       (a) Remediation Activities.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed to limit the authority of the Secretary or a 
     responsible party to conduct environmental remediation 
     activities in the Preserve in connection with the release, 
     threatened release, or clean up of any hazardous substance or 
     pollutant or contaminant, including response actions 
     conducted pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
     9601 et seq.).
       (b) Liability.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
     limit the authority of the Secretary or a responsible party 
     to address questions of liability related to the release, 
     threatened release, or clean up of any hazardous substance or 
     pollutant or contaminant in the Preserve.

     SEC. 9. GRANDFATHER CLAUSE.

       Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the 
     operation of any timber sale contract entered into, or 
     interfere with any activity for which a special use permit 
     has been issued (and not revoked), before the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, subject to the terms of the contract 
     or permit.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlemen from 
Minnesota [Mr. Vento] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle] 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 presently being considered.
  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, H.R. 3905, introduced by Mr. Kopetski of Oregon, would 
protect 22,000 acres of the Opal Creek Watershed in the Willamette and 
Mt. Hood National Forests. This area contains one of the largest blocks 
of low elevation old growth forests in the Cascade range. It is a 
Douglas fir-hemlock ecosystem with trees up to 1,000 years old, 
waterfalls and lakes. It is popular with recreationists who come there 
to hike, swim and enjoy an old growth forest setting.
  The area also contains several threatened and endangered species. 
These include the northern spotted owl, the Townsends' big eared bat, 
the California wolverine, the tailed frog, and Gorman's aster. The 
stream which gives the area its name contains native steelhead trout 
and salmon runs.
  The President's final plan for the management of habitat for late 
successional and old growth forest related species recognizes the 
importance of Opal Creek and protects it as a late successional reserve 
in a tier one watershed.
  The bill would designate the Opal Creek Forest Preserve. Subject to 
valid existing rights, the area would be withdrawn from mineral entry 
and geothermal and mineral leasing laws. Also prohibited are commercial 
and salvage logging, off-road motorized travel, and the construction of 
new roads.
  Opal Creek is one of the great cathedral forests for which the 
Pacific Northwest is famous. It deserves protection and I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.

                              {time}  1620

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am intrigued why this legislation is being rushed 
through the House so quickly. Less than a week ago, and at very short 
notice, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands 
held a hearing on H.R. 3905. Because of this extremely short notice, 
witnesses did not even have written statements prepared.
  Four days later, the full Natural Resources Committee discharged the 
subcommittee from further consideration of H.R. 3905--a very unusual 
situation. Since the House will be in session all of next week, I 
wonder why there is such a sense of urgency with this legislation.
  I still have several concerns about the substance of this bill. I am 
pleased the preserve's size has been reduced from 33,000 to 22,000 
acres. However, I am concerned that the legislation prohibits the 
cutting of trees for forest health reasons such as insect and disease 
infestation--a situation if left unchecked could contribute to an 
epidemic on adjacent forests.
  Finally, I am concerned about the restrictions placed on off-road 
motorized travel contained in the bill. We appear to be putting so many 
restrictions on activities permitted in this area that we may not be 
able to protect it from natural catastrophes and certainly are limiting 
the public's opportunity for access.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am going to yield to the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. 
Kopetski], but, before I do, I want to commend him. He has been working 
on this diligently for a long time, and, but for the fact that there 
have been, obviously, great interest and concern surrounding the FEMAT 
program, the President's various plans with regard to the Pacific 
Northwest forests, I suggest that perhaps this would have been an 
easier task for him. But in the end he has convinced all concerned from 
the various portions of that spectrum to support the measure that he 
has now before us, and I commend him for his diligence, and patience, 
and all his hard work in this, and I hope indeed it does see enactment 
this year as he concludes his service to this body. He has been an able 
legislator and a good conservationist.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Oregon [Mr. Kopetski].
  (Mr. KOPETSKI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. KOPETSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished subcommittee 
chairman for his kind words and also for the effort that he had to put 
into this important piece of legislation to Oregon and to the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, today we consider legislation to establish the Opal 
Creek Forest Preserve in the Willamette and Mt. Hood National Forests 
in Oregon. The 22,000 acres that constitute the Opal Creek Forest are, 
plain and simple, among the crown jewels of Northwest old growth 
forest. Opal Creek is a unique `ecosystem serving as critical habitat 
for hundreds of plants and animals including several threatened and 
endangered species. Opal Creek also provides unique and outstanding 
opportunities for educational study, scientific research and 
recreational activities. The enactment of this bill will contribute 
significantly to the quality of life for Oregonians and our many State 
visitors.
  In its current form, Mr. Speaker, this bill represents the dedicated 
work of many people, and they have my heartfelt thanks. In particular I 
want to express my gratitude toward the gentleman from Texas [Mr. de la 
Garza], the gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Roberts], the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Rose], the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Lewis], the 
gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Volkmer] and the staff, and the gentleman 
from Virginia [Mr. Goodlatte], as well as the chairman, the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Miller], the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young], 
the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento], 
the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. McInnis] and the staff of the 
Committee on Natural Resources. I am grateful to Secretary Lyons at the 
Department and to Ms. McGinty and Mr. Stelle at the White House Office 
of Environmental Policy. Finally I would like to express my 
appreciation for the important insights of the U.S. Forest Service 
including those of Chief Jack Ward Thomas, Forest Supervisor Darrel 
Kenops, Larry Hudson, Ralph Bowman, and Laurie Monfort. There is one 
Oregonian I thank in particular, Mr. George Atiyoh who has been 
fighting for this for the past years, and of course to my former staff 
person, Ms. Alex Buell, and my current staff member, Ms. Jennifer Pitt.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle] raised a 
couple of points. One is: Why so quickly?
  Actually this is a long time in coming. As I noted, we in Oregon have 
been battling over this particular piece of planet for about 20 years. 
It was almost included in wilderness area about that time ago, and 3\1/
2\ years ago I did introduce legislation when I came to Congress to set 
up this preserve. Unfortunately it has been a part of the Northwest 
controversy over the spotted owl forests and the future of our forests.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a unique and special area. Scientists have said 
that it is the most significant old growth reserve in the Northwest, 
and that includes wilderness areas as well. So, this is a significant 
area. We ought to treat it differently.
  We have had full hearings and discussions in the Committee on 
Agriculture, and, because of the rules of the House, there is joint 
jurisdiction with the Committee on Natural Resources, and, as I said, 
the chairman was very gracious in giving us a quick hearing so that we 
could finish this work before the August break and give time to pass it 
in the Senate.
  Second, I do want to mention the road access issue, that in the bill 
we do give full authority to the Forest Service to respond to fires and 
other emergency situations as well.
  In terms of managing the timberlands in the reserve, they will be 
treated the same as the Bull of the Woods wilderness areas which it 
lies adjacent to, and so we will have that continuity of forest 
management in adjacent lands between the wilderness area and what we 
establish as this reserve.
  We tried to strike a balance. This bill is a compromise, and I hope 
that the House will look favorably to this important piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Oregon [Ms. Furse].
  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from 
Oregon [Mr. Kopetski], my colleague, for this wonderful piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, Oregon is known for its beauty, its natural beauty. But 
Opal Creek is a jewel within the natural beauty, and I want to 
congratulate the gentleman for making sure that future generations will 
be able to enjoy the beauty, the serenity, of Opal Creek.
  I thank the gentleman also for allowing me to be a cosponsor of this. 
I think this is a wonderful piece of legislation, and the gentleman 
from Oregon [Mr. Kopetski] is to be congratulated, and I hope all my 
colleagues will vote for this piece of legislation to ensure Opal Creek 
is to be preserved for all time. That is a very wonderful thing.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I 
commend the bill to my colleagues, and again I commend the gentleman 
from Oregon [Mr. Kopetski] for this work on this important proposal.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Richardson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Vento] that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3905, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended, and the bill, as amended, was 
passed.
  A motion to reconsider was held on the table.

                          ____________________