[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H3234-H3235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     FACILITATING THE SALE OF CERTAIN LAND IN TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST

  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1439) to facilitate the sale of certain land in Tahoe 
National Forest in the State of California to Placer County, CA, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1439

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

     SECTION 1. LAND CONVEYANCE, TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST, 
                   CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Sale Authorized.--Subject to all valid existing rights, 
     the Secretary of Agriculture may sell to Placer County, 
     California (in this section referred to as the ``County''), 
     all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
     a parcel of real property, consisting of approximately 35 
     acres located in Tahoe National Forest in the State of 
     California to permit the County to create a community park in 
     Squaw Valley.
       (b) Description of Property.--The parcel to be conveyed 
     under subsection (a) is generally depicted on a map entitled 
     ``Placer County Conveyance'', dated April 1997, which shall 
     be available for public inspection in appropriate offices of 
     the Secretary. The map and attached approximate legal 
     description are subject to adjustment by survey. The cost of 
     any such survey shall be borne by the County.
       (c) Consideration.--As consideration for the conveyance 
     under subsection (a), the County shall pay to the United 
     States an amount equal to the fair market value of the 
     conveyed parcel, as determined in conformance with the 
     document entitled ``Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal 
     Land Acquisitions (1992)''. The proceeds from the sale shall 
     be deposited in the fund established by Public Law 90-171 (16 
     U.S.C. 484a; commonly known as the Sisk Act) and shall be 
     available for expenditure in accordance with such Act.
       (d) Existing Uses.--As a condition on the conveyance under 
     subsection (a), the County shall agree to provide for 
     continuation of any existing non-Federal improvements or uses 
     on the conveyed parcel for the remainder of the terms of the 
     existing authorizations.
       (e) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Idaho [Mrs. Chenoweth] and the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. 
Faleomavaega] each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Idaho [Mrs. Chenoweth].
  (Mrs. CHENOWETH asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1439 introduced by the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Doolittle] of the committee authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture to sell 35 acres in the Tahoe National Forest to Placer 
County, CA, for the purpose of creating a community park in Squaw 
Valley.
  The site is located at the southwest and northwest corners of Squaw 
Valley Road and Highway 89.
  Now this area stands out as the only feasible location to accommodate 
the various interests. Placer County believes that this legislation is 
needed to streamline the acquisition process and thus save thousands of 
dollars for the county and for the Forest Service.
  There is substantial support for the park and the community, and the 
Placer County Parks Commission has allocated over $250,000 for 
acquisition and development of this park. Currently there are no public 
parks in Squaw Valley, and the nearest park facilities are located in 
Tahoe City, which is approximately 10 miles away.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, this piece of legislation was 
introduced by the gentleman from California [Mr. Doolittle], and the 
bill is intended to facilitate the sale of about 35 acres of Federal 
land in the Tahoe National Forest in California, Placer County. The 
prospective purchaser intends to use the property for a public park.
  The Forest Service has the authority to sell this land under current 
law and testified that the bill is unnecessary, but the legislation 
serves the purpose of highlighting this as a priority matter for Forest 
Service attention. It does not, however, alter the responsibility of 
the purchaser to pay fair market value for the land.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this piece of 
legislation introduced by the gentleman from California [Mr. 
Doolittle].
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHENOWETH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Samoa [Mr. 
Faleomavaega].
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

[[Page H3235]]

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Idaho [Mrs. Chenoweth] that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill H.R. 1439, 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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