[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CARBON HILL NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY CONVEYANCE ACT

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2982) to amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to 
extend the authorizations of appropriations through fiscal year 2000, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2982

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Carbon Hill National Fish 
     Hatchery Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF CARBON HILL NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY TO 
                   THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

       (a) Conveyance Requirement.--Within 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall convey to the State of Alabama without reimbursement, 
     all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
     the property described in subsection (b), for use by the Game 
     and Fish Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation 
     and Natural Resources, as part of the State of Alabama fish 
     culture program.
       (b) Property Described.--The property referred to in 
     subsection (a) is the property known as the Carbon Hill 
     National Fish Hatchery, located on County Road 63 at Carbon 
     Hill, Alabama, in Walker County, Alabama, consisting of 67 
     acres (more or less), and all improvements and related 
     personal property under the control of the Secretary that is 
     located on that property, including buildings, structures, 
     equipment, and all easements, leases, and water rights 
     relating to that property.
       (c) Use and Reversionary Interest.--The property conveyed 
     to the State of Alabama pursuant to this section shall be 
     used by the State for purposes of fishery resources 
     management and fisheries-related activities, and if it is 
     used for any other purpose detrimental to those purposes and 
     activities, all right, title, and interest in and to all 
     property conveyed pursuant to this section shall revert to 
     the United States. The State of Alabama shall ensure that the 
     property reverting to the United States is in substantially 
     the same or better condition as at the time of transfer.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds] 
will each be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton].
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 2982, introduced by 
our colleague, Tom Bevill, to convey the Carbon Hill National Fish 
Hatchery to the State of Alabama.
  This legislation is virtually identical to measures enacted into law 
last year which transferred three Federal fish hatcheries to the States 
of Arkansas, Iowa, and Minnesota.
  Under the terms of H.R. 2982, the Secretary of the Interior will 
convey within 180 days of enactment all rights, title, and interest to 
this 67-acre facility to the Alabama Department of Conservation and 
Natural Resources. The bill also contains the standard reversionary 
clause the stipulates that the property will be returned to the Federal 
Government if it is used for any purpose other than the State's fish 
cultural program.
  This hatchery, which has been in operation for nearly 60 years, 
produces about one million fish each year which are used to restock 
ponds, lakes, and rivers throughout the Southeast.
  For the past 2 years, the Clinton administration has proposed to 
provide title to the State because Carbon Hill is no longer essential 
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's nationwide hatchery program. In 
fact, the facility is already being operated by the State under a long-
term memorandum of agreement.
  By enacting H.R. 2982, the Federal Government will save thousands of 
dollars a year in operating costs, a Federal-State partnership will be 
fostered, and Carbon Hill will continue to produce thousands of 
bluegill, channel catfish, striped bass, and walleye for recreational, 
stocking, and restoration efforts.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote on H.R. 2982.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from New Jersey has said it all, although 
I must say, at inexplicable length. This bill is without controversy. 
Except for the astonishing assertion that there might be striped bass 
in Alabama, I find no objection whatsoever on this.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2982.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2982.
  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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