[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION

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                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce legislation to transfer 
190 acres of Federal land to Park County, WY. The legislation is the 
result of 5 years of dedication and hard work by the Cody Country 
Chamber of Commerce and the Cody Economic Development Council. I also 
extend a special thanks to Paul Hoffman, executive director of the Cody 
Country Chamber of Commerce, for his unwavering commitment in getting 
this matter resolved.
  The land to be transferred is currently in public ownership, more 
specifically that of the Bureau of Reclamation. The Bureau has 
completed its withdrawal review of this land and have done extensive 
environmental testing, archaeological, and cultural resource studies. 
The State Historic Preservation Office has reviewed, and through the 
Bureau of Land Management [BLM], completed a cadastral survey of the 
land to be transferred.
  All wetlands and lands with potential recreation, wildlife, and water 
management significance have been surveyed out of the area recommended 
for disposal, and that land will be retained by the Federal Government 
under Bureau of Reclamation management.
  Through the General Services Administration [GSA], the Bureau of 
Reclamation recommends that all 190 acres be transferred to the county. 
BLM would of course be the logical Federal agency to receive the land, 
but it has formally confirmed it does not want to have the property 
under its management.
  Mr. Speaker, this property, when transferred, will help ensure the 
economic stability of many businesses that currently hold leases on the 
property. Most of the acreage has excellent development potential as an 
industrial area, but the details of its use will be left to the 
discretion of the people of Park County, WY.
  I am hopeful that my colleagues in the House will see the importance 
of conveying this Federal property, property that is no longer needed 
by the Federal Government, but is significant to the local entities 
that will directly benefit from it.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend this legislation to my colleagues and urge 
their support for its prompt enactment.

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