[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NORTH BONNEVILLE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESOLVE DISPUTE

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                            HON. LINDA SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 1996

  Mrs. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House of 
Representatives has approved my legislation to resolve a long-standing 
dispute between the Federal Government and the city of North 
Bonneville.
  The city has been embroiled in a conflict with the Army Corps of 
Engineers since 1972, when the city was relocated to accommodate the 
construction of the Bonneville Dam powerhouse. Everyone agrees that it 
is time to resolve all of the outstanding issues between the Corps of 
Engineers and the city. The legislation that is part of the Water 
Resources Development Act will finally put this controversy to rest and 
most importantly, move Skamania County into an era of economic 
recovery.
  A key provision in this bill will transfer certain lands to the city 
for their long-term economic development plans. Skamania County has a 
tremendous amount of Federal and State-owned lands. There is very 
little property in the county with developed infrastructure to attract 
business to this beautiful area. The transfer of land to the county for 
development will be a real shot in the arm for an area that has 
suffered severe unemployment with the downturn in the timber industry. 
The citizens of the area will have economic opportunity and the county 
will have an expanded tax base.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Keith Chamberlain, the 
Skamania County Commission, Rep. Marc Boldt and all the other 
individuals who have helped me convince my colleagues that this bill 
should be given high priority in the House of Representatives.
  I will be working in the final days of the 104th Congress to make 
sure this bill is signed into law by the President.

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