[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 1526. A bill to authorize an exchange of land between the 
Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior and the Big Sky 
Lumber Co.; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


              the gallatin land consolidation act of 1997

  Mr. BURNS. Madam President, I am introducing draft legislation to 
complete the third phase of the Gallatin Land Consolidation Act. As 
Congress winds down to the final hours of this session it has become 
increasingly important to show Montanans that we are committed to 
completing this act.
  In Montana there are many folks who have small problems with the 
details of the proposed agreement between Big Sky Lumber and the U.S. 
Forest Service. Also at stake are the exceptional natural resources of 
the Taylors Fork lands. These lands are privately owned and face an 
uncertain future. By showing the private landowners that Congress is, 
in fact, committed to completing this exchange, the environmental value 
of Taylors Fork will be preserved.
  Taylors Fork is a migration corridor for wildlife which leave 
Yellowstone National Park for winter range in Montana. With legislation 
I am committed to preserving Taylors Fork as close to a natural state 
as possible.
  I am confident that by working together, the Montana congressional 
delegation will be able to resolve the outstanding land use issues in 
the Bridger-Bangtail area. I also believe we can resolve the concerns 
of the timber small business set-aside.
  This bill is a placeholder. There are many details that need to be 
included. The deadline for ensuring the Taylors Fork lands remain 
included in the agreement is December 31 of this year. My intent with 
this bill is to satisfy the deadline to preserve our option on Taylors 
Fork and to provide a forum for Montanans to begin to comment on the 
details of the package. I look forward to moving ahead with Senator 
Baucus and Congressman Hill and completing the original act of 1993 in 
the next session of Congress.
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