[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H8682-H8683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CRAWFORD NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY CONVEYANCE ACT

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3287) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the 
Crawford National Fish Hatchery to the city of Crawford, NE, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3287

       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 ``Crawford National Fish 
     Hatchery Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF CRAWFORD NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY TO THE 
                   CITY OF CRAWFORD, NEBRASKA.

       (a) Conveyance Requirement.--Within 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall convey to the city of Crawford, Nebraska, without 
     reimbursement, all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the property described in subsection (b), 
     for use by the city for a city park and other public 
     recreational purposes.
       (b) Property Described.--The property referred to in 
     subsection (a) is the property known as the Crawford National 
     Fish Hatchery, located in the city of Crawford, Nebraska, 
     consisting of 5.95 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.--If any of the property 
     conveyed to the city of Crawford, Nebraska, under this 
     section is used by the city for any purpose other than the 
     uses authorized under subsection (a), all right, title, and 
     interest in and to all property conveyed under this section 
     shall revert to the United States. The city of Crawford, 
     Nebraska, shall ensure that all property that reverts to the 
     United States under this subsection is in substantially the 
     same or better condition as at the time of conveyance to the 
     city.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Studds] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton].
  (Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss H.R. 3287, the 
Crawford National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act. This bill was 
introduced by Congressman Bill Barrett on April 23, 1996. Under the 
terms of this bill, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the 
city of Crawford, within 180 days of enactment and without 
reimbursement, all right, title, and interest to the Crawford hatchery 
facility to the city of Crawford. This facility will be used as a city 
park and for other public recreation purposes. The proposal also 
contains a reversionary clause that stipulates that the property will 
be returned to the Federal Government if it is used for something other 
than recreational purposes.
  It is important to note that the hatchery is located in the middle of 
an existing city park. While the city has spent a considerable amount 
of money restoring those parklands under their jurisdiction, the 
hatchery buildings and ponds are in a highly deteriorated state. There 
is little likelihood that this facility will ever again be used by 
either the State of Nebraska or the Federal Government as a hatchery.
  I urge all Members to support this noncontroversial bill.
  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 tension is palpable here. This is an extraordinary 
moment. We have already given more time to this than I think it really 
deserves. It is utterly noncontroversial. This is the standard 
procedure by which, for many years, we have approved the transfer of 
these hatcheries.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 3287, the 
Crawford National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act, introduced by our 
colleague from Nebraska, Bill Barrett.

[[Page H8683]]

  This measure is somewhat different from other fish hatchery transfer 
bills in that it will convey about 6 acres of Federal lands not to the 
State, but to the city of Crawford, NE.
  For nearly 62 years, this hatchery was used by the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the Nebraska State Game and Park Commission to 
produce millions of bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, various 
species of trout, and their eggs.
  Unfortunately, in 1991, the Crawford National Fish Hatchery was 
severely damaged from flooding of the White River. The facilities were 
closed, no repairs were made, the buildings have not been maintained, 
and there is no likelihood that either the Federal or the State 
Government will reopen this hatchery in the future.
  Furthermore, the hatchery is located in the middle of the city park. 
While the local community has spent a substantial amount of money to 
rebuild its park facilities, these efforts have been undermined by this 
unwanted, rapidly deteriorating, and increasingly dangerous fish 
hatchery.
  H.R. 3287 will convey the hatchery property to the city of Crawford, 
which has made a commitment to restore and use certain buildings for 
various recreational activities. In addition, the bill contains the 
standard reversionary clause that requires the city of Crawford to 
return this property to the Federal Government, if it is used for 
anything other than the authorized purposes.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation and compliment Bill 
Barrett for his outstanding leadership in this matter.
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
3287, a bill to transfer the old Crawford National Fish Hatchery to the 
city of Crawford. I'd also like to extend my thanks to Chairman Saxton 
for his assistance with this bill, and the Lake Minatare legislation.
  Crawford is a small town with approximately 1,300 residents in 
northwest Nebraska. It's a friendly town with large city park on its 
western city limit. However, within the boundaries of the city park is 
an abandoned fish hatchery.
  In the 1920's Crawford granted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the 
rights to build a fish hatchery in the city park. It was successfully 
operated by the Service from 1929 to 1983. It was mainly used to breed 
trout. During the early 1980's, Federal financial support for the 
hatchery diminished, and the State Game and Parks Commission took over 
the operation and maintenance of the facility.
  In 1991, the Game and Parks Commission completed construction of a 
new facility and prepared to close the Crawford site. Later that year, 
Crawford sustained heavy damage caused by a 100-year flood. The 
hatchery was severely damaged, and essentially destroyed. Currently, 
neither the Service nor the State operate the facility, and the ruined 
buildings continue to fall apart, creating an eyesore in the city park.
  Due to the lack of interest in repairing the hatchery, the Fish and 
Wildlife Service is preparing to declare the property as excess to its 
needs and turn it over to the General Services Administration for 
disposition, with the recommendation that the property be returned to 
the city. Unfortunately, the disposition process is often slow, and, in 
the case of Crawford, the outcome may not be what the city desires.
  In the regard, I introduced a bill, H.R. 3287, a transfer the 
property back to the city. The city intends to restore some of the 
damaged buildings and use them for public meeting rooms. These 
improvements will greatly enhance the city park.
  This action has the support of the city, the State Game and Parks 
Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no more requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  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. 3287, 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 laid on the table.

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