[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4509-S4513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRESIDIO PROPERTIES ADMINISTRATION ACT
The Senate resumed consideration of the bill.
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate
turn to the consideration of Calendar No. 300, H.R. 1296, regarding
Presidio properties, and the bill be considered in the following
fashion:
That amendments numbered 3571 and 3572 be withdrawn and all other
amendments and motions other than the Murkowski substitute and the
committee substitute be withdrawn, and the committee-reported
substitute be modified to reflect the adoption of the Murkowski
substitute, as modified, to reflect the deletion of title XVI, Sterling
Forest, and title XX, Utah Wilderness, and containing the text of
amendment numbered 3572, with Lost Creek land exchange modified to
reflect the text I now send to the desk, and the committee substitute,
as amended, be immediately agreed to, the bill be advanced to third
reading and passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, all without any intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is
so ordered.
The modification to the Murkowski substitute amendment No. 3564 is as
follows:
Delete title XVI and title XX of amendment No. 3564 and
insert the following new title:
TITLE I--MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 101. LOST CREEK LAND EXCHANGE.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit a plan to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United
States Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives detailing the terms and conditions for the
exchange of certain lands and interests in land owned by the
R-Y Timber, Inc., its successors and assigns or affiliates
located in the Lost Creek area and other areas of the
Deerlodge National Forest, Montana.
TITLE --VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE
SEC. 01. VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Vancouver
National Historic Reserve in the State of Washington
(referred to in this section as the ``Reserve'', consisting
of the area described in the report entitled ``Vancouver
National Historic Reserve Feasibility Study and Environmental
Assessment'' published by the Vancouver Historical Study
Commission and dated April 1993 as authorized by Public Law
101-523 (referred to in this section as the Vancouver
Historic Reserve Report'').
(b) Administration.--The Reserve shall be administered in
accordance with;
(1) the Vancouver Historic Reserve Report (including the
specific findings and recommendations contained in the
report); and
(2) the Memorandum of Agreement between the Secretary of
Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park
Service, and the City of Vancouver, Washington, dated
November 14, 1994.
(c) No Limitation on FAA Authority.--The establishment of
the Reserve shall not limit;
(1) the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration
over air traffic control, or aviation activities at Pearson
Airpark; or
(2) limit operations and airspace in the vicinity of
Portland International Airport.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out
this section.
The bill (H.R. 1296), as amended, was passed.
Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I strongly support the passage of this
important environmental legislation. Taken together, these measures
represent the most significant and important conservation package to
come before the Senate in over a decade. They will preserve and protect
for future generations important natural resource and historic
treasures of this country as well as providing critically needed
management authorities.
For the most part, the measures contained in this package have
languished on the Senate floor due to holds and delaying tactics from
Senators. I want to congratulate the majority leader, Senator Dole, for
his successful efforts to end the seemingly endless parade of obstacles
to the passage of this legislation. Had we less rhetoric and a modicum
of rational assistance from the administration, we might have
accomplished this far earlier. We all observed the administration's
game plan and the willingness of the media to cater to it, including
attaching the minimum wage package to the parks legislation.
Mr. President. I will not go into lengthy detail on the various
measures that are finally being released, but I do want to highlight
some of them at this time.
Title I of this measure deals with the Presidio of San Francisco. By
itself, this title is an important and critically needed measure that
should have been enacted months ago. With the closure
[[Page S4510]]
of the Presidio, the National Park Service was facing an almost
impossible drain on its limited funds to maintain a unique and
important resource. The legislation establishes a mechanism whereby the
Presidio will be preserved and maintained for future generations, the
National Park Service will be able to focus on interpretation and the
visitor experience, and the site will be self-supporting. I appreciate
the willingness of the two Senators from California to work with me and
the committee in crafting this novel approach.
Title II contains 25 miscellaneous amendments and boundary changes.
Some of these measures were reported from the committee over a year
ago. They affect areas from the Atlantic to the Pacific and provide
essential authorities that the administration needs for proper and
effective management.
The remaining 34 titles include the establishment of new areas, such
as the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve, which will preserve one of
the last portions of the prairie that symbolized the West. Both Senator
Dole and Senator Kassebaum deserve credit for the efforts to secure
passage of that measure, but it too had been held up by the other side.
Among those titles is the Snowbasin Land Exchange, which is critical
for the Winter Olympics. Apparently the administration is only
concerned with getting through November and was prepared to let that
measure languish with the other measures. The title also includes the
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, an important measure that
will commemorate a significant part of the civil rights movement.
The Taos Pueblo Land Transfer title would transfer 764 acres of land
within the Wheeler Peak Wilderness in New Mexico to the Secretary of
the Interior to be held in trust for Pueblo de Taos Indians. This tract
is surrounded on three sides by Pueblo lands and is an important area
for use in their religious ceremonies. The Pueblo would use the lands
for traditional purposes, but the lands would otherwise be managed to
protect its wilderness character. Both Senator Domenici and Senator
Dole were instrumental in moving that measure and I appreciate their
support.
The Rocky Mountain National Visitor Center, sponsored by Senators
Campbell and Brown addresses a critical need at Rocky Mountain National
Park through a creative public-private partnership to provide a visitor
center for the park. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most popular
tourist attraction in the State of Colorado, drawing over 3 million
visitors every year, but has not had a visitor center.
Mr. President. All these measures are important and all should have
passed on their own merits long ago. These measures are important to
the environment, essential to the National Park System, and will be of
lasting benefit to future generations. As I stated earlier, they
represent the single largest conservation package to come before the
Senate in over a decade.
This Senator at least wants to express his gratitude to the majority
leader, Senator Dole, for being able to free at least this group of
hostages from the political games. He will probably not receive the
credit he is due, but if we can enact the Presidio and the other
measures included in this package, it will be as a result of his
efforts and his leadership and I thank him.
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, the legislation before us today contains
several issues of priority for several States. Today, we are prepared
to go forward with a number of items concerning parks and public lands
issues across this country and I am pleased to support this package.
I would like to thank Senator Murkowski for including provisions
critical to Kansas and California. I am pleased that the Presidio
legislation is included in this package. This critical provision will
allow for the innovative preservation of the Presidio, one of our
Nation's true treasures. This bill also includes the establishment of
the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas.
More so than any other legislation, this package represents the
interests and priorities of individual States. States like Kansas and
California want these initiatives accomplished--not battered about by
outsiders and Washington bureaucrats who think they know best. National
forests; land conveyances, visitor centers, land exchanges and historic
parks--these are all issues of importance to the various interest
involved and should no longer be delayed. I urge the President to
support this package.
presidio
Mr. President, this bill provides for the administration of the
Presidio in California. I am pleased to join with my colleagues to pass
this legislation which will provide for an exciting future for the
Presidio.
The Presidio is a treasured resource of this country. The legislation
before us today provides for national recognition of the Presidio. I
believe Senator Murkowki has sought a balance between the interests of
the trust charged with preserving this resource and the interests of
the National Park Service. In my view, the Presidio trust will ensure
an important partnership between the local community and this property.
This trust, established within the Department of the Interior, will
manage the renovation and leasing of the specific Presidio properties.
The revenues generated from these leases will then offset the costs of
maintaining the Presidio as a national park, reducing the need for
Federal funding. Through this innovative approach to managing one of
our Nation's finest landmarks, we can ensure the preservation of the
Presidio while also providing significant opportunities to the local
community.
The unique history of the Presidio's operation as a military post
dates back to 1776. Its designation as a national historic landmark in
1962 recognized the importance of the post in many military operations.
After the Army closed the post, the National Park Service took over the
Presidio. When comparing our limited resources against the number of
national parks and historic sites, it is apparent that we must find new
ways to manage and preserve such important resources.
establishment of the tall grass prairie national preserve in Kansas
For several years there have been attempts to create a National Tall
Grass Prairie Preserve on nearly 11,000 acres in Kansas, known as the
Z-Bar Ranch. Proposals for this preserve have faced valid opposition
from concerned citizens and landowners in the area. Any involvement by
the Federal Government generates concerns, but this legislation
provides for involvement by the Federal Government.
Senator Kassebaum has worked to bring all parties together to discuss
the establishment of a prairie park and strike a balance with this
legislation. I have always supported Senator Kassebaum's efforts to
encourage private participation in the establishment of a national
prairie preserve in Kansas.
The Z-Bar Ranch is currently owned by a private trust, but
establishing Z-Bar as a national preserve requires legislation. Under
this legislation, the Federal Government is limited to ownership of a
maximum of 180 acres of the Z-Bar Ranch. The Federal Government would
be authorized to purchase or accept a donation of this portion of land.
The current owners of the ranch have offered to donate the core area
of land to the Federal Government. This will minimize the cost of
establishing the preserve. In my view, a compromise which includes
minimal Federal ownership and continued local input sets this proposal
apart from other efforts.
The Tall Grass Prairie is a vital part of the natural environment and
heritage of the high plains. Those who have visited the Flint Hills of
Kansas appreciate the beauty of this prairie. Senator Kassebaum's work
in creating a partnership between public and private sectors will help
preserve the history of the Midwest. With a private/public partnership,
we can officially recognize the Tall Grass Prairie while limiting the
involvement of the Federal Government. I commend Senator Kassebaum for
her hard work on this innovative legislation and her efforts to
recognize this important Kansas landmark.
I again commend Senator Murkowski and Senator Campbell for their work
on this important piece of legislation. I know that earlier the
administration expressed some concerns about the Presidio legislation,
I think in reviewing the bill before us they will find their concerns
were addressed by the committee. I commend the community of San
Francisco and people of California for recognizing this important
resource
[[Page S4511]]
and working to develop an approach that will allow generations to come
to enjoy this historic and unique landmark.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Murkowski for all
of his hard work on the Energy Committee and on the many difficult
public lands issues he must deal with.
As my colleagues are aware, I have had serious concerns about
legislation requiring rather than authorizing agency heads to acquire
land and to construct particular buildings, thereby incurring costs to
the Federal taxpayer.
Usually, such Federal acquisition and construction activities are
authorized by Congress. Once authorized, administrative procedures are
in place to ensure that the project is necessary and is undertaken in
the order of its relative priority. The final decision of whether to go
forward is traditionally left to the discretion of the Secretary based
on merit and priorities.
When the Presidio bill first came to the floor, I expressed my
concerns about several titles containing acquisition and construction
mandates. In order not to hold up the bill unnecessarily, I canvassed
the affected agencies to determine if they opposed any of these
mandates. The purpose of this inquiry was so that I did not have to
insist on changing bill mandates to authorizations if the
administration intended to undertake the activity even if not
congressionally mandated.
The Department of the Interior objected to one requirement dealing
with a land acquisition in the Corinth, MS. The bill requires the
National Park Service to acquire land in the vicinity of the Corinth
battlefield, and requires the Secretary to construct, operate, and
maintain an interpretive center on the property.
I had intended to offer an amendment to change the acquisition
mandate to a traditional authorization so that the applicable needs
assessment and prioritization procedures could be applied, but I have
been assured by the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee that he
will address my concern in the conference committee.
Mr. MURKOWSKI. Senator McCain is correct. I understand his concern
about the mandate on the Corinth battlefield title, and I will address
it in the conference report.
Mr. McCAIN. I thank the Senator. I would also like to add that the
Senators from Mississippi have made a strong argument that the visitor
center is necessary. I trust and expect that the Secretary will fully
consider their views in administering the authorization.
Furthermore, I know it is the intent of the Senator from Mississippi
to subject the authorization to appropriations.
Mr. LOTT. Senator McCain is correct. It has always been my intention
that the acquisition and construction be subject to appropriations, and
that this project be undertaken in the order of its relative priority.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate all of the
Members and their staff who have worked so hard on collaborating on
this omnibus package. In particular, I would like to thank my good
friend, the majority leader from Kansas, for his persistent efforts to
shepherd this bill into law. He has done a great service for many of
us, and the bill's final passage is a testament to his strength and
tenacity as a leader.
I would like to say a few words about a couple of the bills, that
have specific meaning to me.
The Presidio bill, the flagship of this package, offers a unique,
creative, and innovative approach to provide for the long-term
protection and preservation of one of our Nation's greatest cultural,
historical, and natural treasures. Many people have been waiting a long
time for this bill. I know the Senators from California and
Congresswoman Pelosi have put a great deal of time and energy into this
legislation, as have the staff from the Energy Committee and personal
offices. In our efforts to try to reach consensus on all levels, we
have managed to craft a bill that will provide enough balance and
flexibility to incorporate all points of view.
Mr. President, I also would like to discuss several bills within the
omnibus package that are of particular interest to me and my home State
of Colorado. These bills deserve distinction in their own right, being
crafted with years of collaborative hard work and dedication. I would
like to make brief comments on each of them, and once again send my
congratulations to all those who have worked so hard on these important
bills.
The Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center title provides the
authority for the National Park Service to use appropriated and donated
funds to operate a visitor center outside of the boundary of Rocky
Mountain National Park. The Park Service has been in need of a
visitor's center at the eastern entrance to Rocky for many years now,
but due to fiscal constraints, they have been unable to get adequate
appropriations. Thanks to a generous private-public partnership
proposal, the Park Service has an opportunity to provide a visitor
service outside of the park boundaries. This legislation simply allows
the Park Service to enter into this type of partnership with private
individuals. I would particularly like to applaud the individuals in
Estes Park, whose innovative work, generous contributions, and
persevering dedication have made this idea a reality.
This type of private-public opportunity is exactly what the Federal
Government should be taking advantage of these days, and I am
encouraged by the proposal for this visitor center that has been put
forth. This center would help the thousands of visitors that come to
the park each year, and would save the Government millions in taxpayer
dollars.
The Cache La Poudre title, sponsored by the distinguished senior
Senator from Colorado, designates approximately 35,000 acres between
the cities of Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, as the Cache La Poudre
River National Water Heritage Area. The headwaters of the streams that
flow into this river tell the story of water development and river
basin management in the Westward expansion of the United States. This
historical area holds a special meaning for Coloradans, and we feel
that it deserves national recognition as a heritage area. In addition
to the designation, this title helps establish a local commission to
develop and implement a long-term management plan for the area.
This bill holds great distinction for me, for I have been working on
it for many years with my good friend and colleague, Senator Brown from
Colorado. The good Senator has been working hard to get this bill
enacted into law, and each revision of the bill has been a more worthy
product than the last. There are always a couple of bills that hold
special meaning for us personally, and the Cache La Poudre is a good
example of one that the senior Senator from Colorado has a particular
interest in. It would be a great honor to have this bill enacted into
law before my friend retires this year.
The Giplin County Land Exchange title represents the best type of
land exchange possible. It is a simple, straightforward land exchange
bill that will convey 300 acres of Bureau of Land Management lands in
Gilpin County, CO, for the acquisition of 8,733 acres of equal value
within the State.
The bill seeks to address a site-specific land management problem
that is a result of the scattered mining claims of the 1800's. The
Federal selected lands for conveyance are contained within 133
scattered parcels near the communities of Black Hawk and Central City,
most of which are less than one acre in size. These lands would be
exchanged to the cities of Black Hawk and Central City to help
alleviate a shortage of residential lots.
In return for these selected lands, the Federal Government will
receive approximately 8,773 acres of offered lands, which are
anticipated to be of approximately equal dollar value to the selected
lands. These lands are in three separate locations, described as
follows:
Circle C Church Camp: This 40-acre parcel is located within Rocky
Mountain National Park along its eastern boundaries, and lies
approximately 5 miles south of the well known community of Estes Park.
This acquisition can provide additional public camping sites and
address a current shortage of employee housing in the popular national
park.
Quilan Ranches tract: This 3,993-acre parcel is located in Conejos
County, in southern Colorado. This land has excellent elk winter range
and other wildlife
[[Page S4512]]
habitat, and borders State lands, which are managed for wildlife
protection.
Bonham Ranch--Cucharas Canyon: This 4,700-acre ranch will augment
existing BLM land holdings in the beautiful Cucharas Canyon, identified
as an AREA of Critical Environmental Concern [ACEC]. This ranch has
superb wildlife habitat, winter range, riparian areas, raptor nesting
and fledgling areas, as well as numerous riparian areas, rator nesting
and fledgling areas.
Any equalization funds remaining from this exchange will be dedicated
to the purchase of land and water rights, pursuant to Colorado water
law, for the Blanca Wetlands Management Area, near Alamosa, CO.
It is clear that the merits of this bill are numerous. Moreover, the
bill is noncontroversial, and while it may not have dramatic
consequence for people outside of the State of Colorado, it represents
a tremendous opportunity for citizens in my State. Due to the time-
sensitive and fragile nature of the various components of this bill, I
am delighted that the Senate has acted as expeditiously as possible.
In addition, for the past 5 years now, I have been supporting
legislation that seeks to bring some common sense and reason to the
administration of Forest Service ski area permits. The ski fees title
will take the most convoluted, subjective, and bizarre formula for
calculating ski fees, developed by the Forest Service, and replace it
with a simple, user friendly formula in which the ski areas will be
able to figure out their fees with very little effort.
The current formula utilized by the Forest Service is encompassed in
40 pages and contains hundreds of definitions, rulings, and policies.
It is simply Government bureaucracy at its worst. For the ski industry,
this formula is a monstrous burden, and with the expansion and
diversification of many ski resorts, this burden grows increasingly
more complex each year. I am pleased that this title will offer some
clarity and common sense to the ski resorts of my home State.
Mr. President, the Grand Lake Cemetery title simply directs the
Secretary of the Interior to authorize a permit for the town of Grand
Lake, CO, to permanently maintain their 5-acre cemetery, which happens
to fall within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. This
cemetery has been in use by the town since 1892, and continues to carry
strong emotional and sentimental attachments for the residents.
Currently, the cemetery is operated under a temporary special use
permit, which is set to expire this year. By granting permanent
maintenance authority to the town, this title creates lasting stability
to this longstanding issue. It is completely noncontroversial, and
widely supported by both the community and the Park Service.
Finally, Mr. President, the last title in this package that I would
like to address is another bill that holds special meaning for me. I
have been working on this legislation for many years now, and I am
pleased to see that this title has seven different cosponsors from both
sides of the aisle. The Old Spanish Trail title will designate the Old
Spanish Trail and the Northern Branch of the Old Spanish Trail for
study for potential addition to the National Trails System as a
National Historic Trail.
The Old Spanish Trail has rightly been called ``the longest,
crookedest, most arduous pack mule route in the history of America.''
It is that, and more. The Old Spanish Trail tells a dramatic story that
spans two centuries of recorded history and originated in prehistoric
times. This trail witnessed use by Ute and Navajo Indians, Spaniards,
Mexicans, and American trappers, explorers, and settlers, including the
Mormons. Its heyday spans the development of the West, from the native
on foot to the mounted Spaniard to the coming of the transcontinental
railroad. Few routes, if any, pass through as much relatively pristine
country. It is time to recognize and celebrate our common heritage, and
I am thrilled to have this included in the package passed.
These bills may not mean a whole lot to many Members in this Chamber,
but they mean a great deal to my constituents and me. I again commend
my colleagues for their hard work, and strongly support passage of this
important legislative package this evening.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to ask the distinguished
chairman of the committee a question regarding the duties and
authorities of the trust as outlined in section 104(b) of the Presidio
trust legislation.
Section 104(b) provides that ``Federal laws and regulations governing
procurement by Federal Agencies shall not apply to the trust.''
However, the same section of the bill states that the Presidio trust
``shall establish and promulgate procedures applicable to the trust's
procurement of goods and services'' that just ``conform to laws and
regulations related to Federal Government contracts governing working
conditions and wage scales including the provisions of 40 U.S.C. Sec.
276a-276a6 (Davis Bacon Act).''
Can I ask the chairman if this language means that contractors and
subcontractors who contract to do work at the Presidio on behalf of the
trust will be required to comply with prevailing wage provisions in all
construction contracts and subcontracts?
Mr. MURKOWSKI. I would like to tell my friend, Senator Boxer, that
yes, she is correct.
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise to express my strong support to
the efforts of Chairman Murkowski to move this package of bills. I
would like to add my thoughts as well, as to what some have called the
demise of the Utah wilderness bill.
I am disappointed that the Senate failed to break the filibuster of
the Utah wilderness bill. I would have liked to have had the Senate
continue to debate the bill because I believe that, given the
opportunity, we could have convinced those of my colleagues who had
doubts about this bill to support it. I am also a realist and I
understand that in this Chamber, if one does not have the votes to
invoke cloture, it is difficult to move any piece of legislation.
I want my constituents, the people of Utah, to know of my
appreciation for their tremendous support over the last 14 months.
Despite what a small, but very vocal minority would have the Senate
believe, the people of Utah wanted a sensible, balanced wilderness
bill. S. 884 achieved that balanced approach and it was supported
widely across the State of Utah. I believe that a letter in support of
our bill signed by over 300 elected officials in Utah is a good
indicator that it has strong public support. A rigorous public comment
process, involving thousands of written comments, personal testimony,
and over 40 public hearings assisted the Utah delegation in drafting
this bill. It was a thorough, well-thought-out process and it was open
to plenty of criticism from the other side.
I, particularly, want to express my tremendous appreciation to those
county commissioners from the rural Utah counties who would have been
most impacted by wilderness designation. These faithful and dedicated
public servants have devoted thousands of hours to develop the county
proposals. Despite the fact that S. 884 included 1.1 million acres more
than the counties recommended as wilderness, these individuals
recognized the need to bring the 20-year debate to closure. The county
commissioners have invested thousands of dollars, and sacrificed their
personal time to come to Washington to enlighten my colleagues about
the wilderness issue.
There are dozens of names that deserve to be mentioned, but I would
like to give particular credit to Commissioner Louise Liston of
Garfield County, Commissioner Lana Moon of Millard County,
Commissioners Bill Redd and Ty Lewis of San Juan County, Commissioners
Randy Johnson and Kent Peterson of Emery County. I would also be remiss
if I failed to mention Commissioners Joe Judd of Kane County and Teryl
Hunsaker of Tooele County. As always, the fine commissioners of
Washington County, Gayle Aldred, Jerry B. Lewis, and Russ Gallian were
instrumental in providing expertise. There are dozens of other faithful
commissioners and I apologize that I cannot mention them all by name.
The Utah wilderness issue is not dead. On the contrary, it is very
much alive and very much unresolved. It will come again before the
Senate, and at some point we will be forced to finally deal with the
issue. It is my hope that next time, my colleagues will give greater
consideration to the $10 million
[[Page S4513]]
of taxpayers' money and the 20 years of BLM expertise that went into
providing the basis for our recommendation.
Again, while I am disappointed that Utah wilderness will not be
included in this package, there is a silver lining in this cloud. Mr.
President, as you know, Utah is preparing to host the 2002 Winter
Olympics. Last fall, Senator Hatch and I introduced the Snowbasin Land
Exchange, which would authorize the Forest Service to enter into a land
exchange with the Snowbasin ski resort to exchange 1,320 acres of
Forest Service land around Snowbasin for over 4,000 acres throughout
the Wasatch Front. It is an equal value exchange, and a win-win
situation for both parties. Not only for the Olympics, but for other
reasons as well.
For example, in Utah open space in some areas is at a premium. As our
population swells each year as thousands of people from other States
like California and New Jersey come to Utah because of our quality of
life, our precious open spaces along the Wasatch Front are rapidly
disappearing. As part of this exchange, the Forest Service will acquire
lands along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail which is one of the most
heavily used recreational trails in northern Utah. The people of Weber
County will benefit as the critical wildlife habitat along the benches
above Ogden is preserved along with the open spaces. Development will
be prevented from encroaching upon these areas. Again, it is a win-win
situation arranged for through this exchange.
Unfortunately, the Snowbasin exchange was caught up in the politics
of the day and for various reasons, this legislation had the brakes put
on it by the Clinton administration. Snowbasin and the Utah delegation
proceeded through months of negotiations with the Forest Service and
finally reached agreements on virtually every one of the
administration's concerns. This legislation is necessary for the
successful implementation of the 2002 Winter Olympics and I know that
my colleagues are as concerned as I am that this legislation is
implemented so Snowbasin may proceed to prepare for the men's and
women's downhill. We all want a successful Olympic event. This
legislation is included as part of the chairman's package and I am
pleased that we can finally act upon this bill.
Again, Mr President, I thank the chairman for his willingness to move
this package and I encourage my colleagues to support it. I thank the
Chair.
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