[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H8683-H8684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WALHALLA NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY CONVEYANCE ACT

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3546) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the 
Walhalla National Fish Hatchery to the State of South Carolina, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3546

       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 ``Walhalla National Fish 
     Hatchery Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF WALHALLA NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY TO THE 
                   STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

       (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 South Carolina without 
     reimbursement all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the property described in subsection (b), 
     for use by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 
     as part of the State of South Carolina fish culture program.
       (b) Property Described.--The property referred to in 
     subsection (a) is the property known as the Walhalla National 
     Fish Hatchery, located on Indian Camp Creek and the East Fork 
     of Chattooga River off of State Secondary Highway 325 in 
     northern Oconee County, South Carolina, consisting of 76.2 
     acres (more or less), all improvements and related personal 
     property under the control of the Secretary that is located 
     on that property, including buildings, structures, and 
     equipment, and all easements, leases, and water rights 
     relating to that property.
       (c) Reversionary Interest.--If any of the property conveyed 
     to the State of South Carolina under this section is used for 
     any purpose other than the use 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 State of South Carolina shall ensure that all 
     property reverting to the United States under this subsection 
     is in substantially the same or better condition as at the 
     time of transfer to the State.

  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 take action on H.R. 
3546, the Walhalla National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act.
  H.R. 3546 was introduced by Congressman Lindsey Graham on May 29, 
1996. Under the terms of this bill, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
convey to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, within 
180 days of enactment and without reimbursement, all right, title, and 
interest to the Walhalla Hatchery facility for use as a State hatchery. 
Furthermore, the proposal contains a reversionary clause that 
stipulates that the property will be returned to the Federal Government 
if it is used for something other than fishery resources management.
  This facility is extremely important to the State of South Carolina 
because it is the only public source for brown trout; there is no 
reasonable alternative for stocking the State's waters; and without 
these fish, there is no viable sport fishing for trout. While privately 
produced trout are available, this option was explored and rejected 
because of lack of supply control, cost fluctuations, and the potential 
introduction of diseases.
  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, I congratulate the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Saxton], the distinguished subcommittee chairman, for his legislative 
stature. It is growing by the minute.
  This is identical in its substances to the preceding bill.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
3546, the Walhalla National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act, introduced by 
our colleague from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham.
  This noncontroversial bill is nearly identical to measures the House 
of Representatives has approved to transfer certain Federal fish 
hatcheries to non-Federal control.

[[Page H8684]]

  This hatchery, which consists of about 78 acres, is currently being 
operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources under a 
long-term agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  This hatchery was 1 of 11 identified by the Clinton administration 
for transfer to the States in fiscal year 1996 because it is no longer 
an essential component of the Fish and Wildlife Service's nationwide 
stocking program.
  Based on testimony the subcommittee received, however, it is clear 
that Walhalla is extremely important to the State of South Carolina 
because it is the only public source for brown trout, there is no 
reasonable alternative for stocking the State's waters, and, without 
these fish, there is no viable sport fishing for trout. There are 
45,800 trout anglers in the State of South Carolina and this activity 
produces an annual economic impact of over $12 million.
  This bill contains language that stipulates the property will be 
returned to the Federal Government if it is used for something other 
than the authorized purposes.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation and compliment Lindsey 
Graham for his outstanding leadership in this matter.
  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 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. 3546, 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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