[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 8 (Friday, January 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E94-E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF THE SANFA FE NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT 
                                OF 1995

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 1995
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Santa Fe 
National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 1995. This legislation would 
modify the boundary of the Santa Fe National Forest in my district to 
include the entire area of the Atalaya Mountain. The mountain, a 
pristine, beautiful landmark east of Santa Fe, is uniquely deserving of 
inclusion in the National Forest System.
  By expanding the boundary of the national forest to include the 
entire area of Atalaya Mountain, this legislation will make it easier 
to facilitate land transfers between willing sellers and the 
Government. Many landowners are more willing to sell such land when 
they know it will be protected as Federal land and will not be 
developed at a profit by someone else who may purchase the land at a 
later date. As national forest land, the acreage will be protected and 
the Government will be forbidden from reselling it.
  The bill does not automatically provide protection to the privately 
held land that will not be an inholding within the National Forest 
System, it merely means that this land becomes part of the Santa Fe 
National Forest. The bill does not require any unwilling landowner to 
sell their privately held property to the Federal Government. It merely 
makes it easier to protect the land from future development if sellers 
are willing to sell it or arrange for a land transfer.
  Enactment of this legislation is critical to maintaining the delicate 
balance between growth and natural resource preservation in and around 
New Mexico's capital city. The rapid growth of Santa Fe in recent years 
has led to overcrowding, increased pollution, explosive growth into the 
suburbs and other impacts on the excellent quality of life in the area. 
In fact, a poll last year by the Journal North found that a majority of 
Santa Fe residents believe their city is becoming a worse place to 
live. The No. 1 reason cited by poll respondents was the city's rapid 
growth and development.
  Adding to these concerns, controversies in the past year about 
development of housing and increased land use on Atalaya Mountain have 
added to the urgency surrounding the bill. Many Santa Feans and others 
concerned about maintaining a proper balance between housing and other 
development and the preservation of open, urban space see this 
situation as a symptom of a greater problem. I share this concern.
  As western land use policies become more and more controversial, we 
must ensure that careful thought about where new homes and buildings 
are constructed is an essential part of land use management planning. 
The wilderness belongs to everyone. It should be the responsibility of 
the Federal Government to protect it from misuse and the harmful 
impacts of overdevelopment. The time has come for responsible land use 
planning that does not sacrifice pristine wilderness in the name of 
rampant development. Such an egregious lack of self-discipline is not 
only threatening to the natural beauty of northern New Mexico, but it 
says that we care more about reckless development than the future 
health and sanctity of our precious natural resources.
  The Santa Fe National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act simply moves a 
boundary to accommodate more land in the national forest, but it marks 
a significant turning point for the citizens of Santa Fe and for 
everyone who supports responsible environmental policy. As one of my 
constituents said last year in a guest commentary in Santa Fe's The New 
Mexican, this issue is a wake-up call. It is also a statement about our 
values. Enactment of this legislation will mean that we value our 
environment and respect our citizenry. It will mean that we believe 
that responsible land use management should not rely on the expedient 
desires of growth for growth's sake and indifference to natural 
resource protection.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and the 
bipartisan leadership of the New Mexico congressional delegation to 
secure passage of this legislation in the 104th Congress.
  The full text of the bill follows:
                                H.R. --

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Santa Fe National Forest 
     Boundary Adjustment Act of 1995''.
     [[Page E95]] SEC. 2. BOUNDARY MODIFICATION.

       The boundary of the Santa Fe National Forest is hereby 
     modified and expanded as generally depicted on a map entitled 
     ``Santa Fe National Forest Boundary Expansion 1994'', dated 
     July 19, 1994. The map shall be on file and available for 
     public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, 
     Washington, DC.

     SEC. 3. ATALAYA PEAK EXCHANGES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior is 
     authorized to exchange public lands and interests in lands 
     managed by the Bureau of Land Management for private lands 
     and interests therein depicted on the map referenced in 
     section 2.
       (b) Withdrawal.--Upon the acquisition of lands under 
     subsection (a) by the Secretary of the Interior, and subject 
     to valid existing rights, such lands are hereby withdrawn 
     from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
     public land laws; from location, entry, and patent under the 
     mining laws; and from disposition under all laws pertaining 
     to mineral and geothermal leasing.

     SEC. 4. INTERCHANGE OF FEDERAL LANDS IN NEW MEXICO.

       (a) Identification of Lands.--In conjunction with the land 
     exchange under section 3, the Secretary of Agriculture and 
     the Secretary of the Interior shall identify federally-owned 
     lands and interests in lands currently situated within the 
     Santa Fe National Forest which are suitable for transfer to 
     and administration by the Bureau of Land Management. The 
     identification of National Forest lands available for such 
     transfer shall utilize criteria which are mutually agreeable 
     to both of the Secretaries.
       (b) Lands Acquired for the Bureau of Land Management.--
       (1) Transfer by secretary of agriculture.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall transfer, to the Bureau of Land Management, 
     those lands and interests in lands identified pursuant to 
     subsection (a). The transfer shall be effective upon 
     publication in the Federal Register of notice of such 
     transfer that identifies such lands and interests.
       (2) Boundary modification.--The boundary of the Santa Fe 
     National Forest shall be modified as of the date of notice 
     under paragraph (1) to exclude such lands transferred to the 
     Secretary of the Interior.
       (3) Management.--Lands transferred under paragraph (1) 
     shall be added to and administered by the Bureau of Land 
     Management as part of the public lands (as defined in section 
     103(e) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
     (43 U.S.C. 1702(e))).
       (c) Lands Acquired for the Forest Service.--
       (1) Addition to sante fe national forest.--Lands or 
     interests in lands--
       (A) acquired by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to 
     section 3, or
       (B) acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture within the 
     areas identified as ``potential acquisition'' on the map 
     referenced in section 2,

     shall, upon acquisition, be added to and administered as part 
     of the Santa Fe National Forest in accordance with the laws 
     relating to the National Forests.
       (2) Management prescription.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall manage the lands and interests in lands referred to in 
     paragraph (1) primarily to preserve open space and scenic 
     values and to preclude development.
       (3) Availability of certain funds.--For purposes of section 
     7(a)(1) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 
     (16 U.S.C. 4601-9(a)(1)), the boundary of the Santa Fe 
     National Forest, as modified pursuant to this Act, shall be 
     treated as if it were the boundary as of January 1, 1965.

     SEC. 5. SAVINGS PROVISION.

       Nothing in this Act shall affect the authorities of the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to acquire lands in New Mexico by 
     purchase or exchange and, notwithstanding the Act of June 15, 
     1926 (16 U.S.C. 471a), all such lands heretofore or hereafter 
     acquired by the exchange of National Forest lands shall be 
     managed as a part of the National Forest System.

     SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION.

       The procedures used in carrying out the land transfers by 
     this Act shall be those procedures agreed to between the 
     Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture.
     

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