[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 1703. A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain property 
from the United States to Stanislaus County, California; to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


       the stanislaus county federal land conveyance act of 1998

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
providing for the conveyance of federal land to Stanislaus County, 
California. This bill is nearly identical to legislation passed by the 
House of Representatives last November.
  The land in question is known as the NASA Ames Research Center, Crows 
Landing Naval Air Facility. During World War II, Crows Landing was a 
flight training center encompassing 1,500 acres and containing two 
airstrips. Following the war, jurisdiction was transferred to NASA, 
which now no longer has any use for this facility. Right now, these 
airstrips are going to waste.
  Giving this land back to the county will promote economic growth and 
be an important asset to local development. While passage of this bill 
would greatly serve Stanislaus County, it would also permit NASA to 
retain the right to use the facility for aviation purposes. It creates 
a win-win situation for all involved.
  Crows Landing has greatly served this nation--first in the interest 
of national defense and then to the benefit of the space program. But 
now, it lies abandoned. We should follow the House and give this land 
back to the people of Stanislaus County.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1703

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

     SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration.
       (2) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the 
     meaning given the term ``agency'' in section 555(1) of title 
     5, United States Code.
       (3) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY.

       As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator shall convey to Stanislaus County, 
     California, all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the property described in section 3.

     SEC. 3. PROPERTY DESCRIBED.

       The property to be conveyed pursuant to section 2 is--
       (1) the approximately 1,528 acres of land in Stanislaus 
     County, California, known as the ``NASA Ames Research Center, 
     Crows Landing Facility (formerly known as the Naval Auxiliary 
     Landing Field, Crows Landing)'';
       (2) all improvements on the land described in paragraph 
     (1); and
       (3) any other Federal property that is--
       (A) under the jurisdiction of NASA;
       (B) located on the land described in paragraph (1); and
       (C) designated by NASA to be transferred to Stanislaus 
     County, California.

     SEC. 4. TERMS.

       (a) Consideration.--The conveyance required by section 2 
     shall be without consideration other than that required by 
     this section.
       (b) Environmental Remediation.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the conveyance required by section 2 shall not relieve 
     any Federal agency of any responsibility under applicable law 
     for any environmental remediation of soil, groundwater, or 
     surface water.
       (2) Other remediation.--Any remediation of contamination, 
     other than that described in paragraph (1), within or related 
     to structures or fixtures on the property described in 
     section 3 shall be subject to negotiation to the extent 
     permitted by law.
       (c) Retained Right of Use; Terms and Conditions of 
     Transfer.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration shall retain the right 
     to use for aviation activities, without consideration and on 
     other terms and conditions mutually acceptable to NASA and 
     Stanislaus County, California, the property described in 
     section 3.
       (2) Legislative jurisdiction.--The terms and conditions 
     referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) may not include any 
     provision restricting the legislative jurisdiction of the 
     State of California over the property conveyed pursuant to 
     section 2.
       (3) Additional terms.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
     Administrator may negotiate additional terms of the 
     conveyance required by section 2 to protect the interests of 
     the United States.
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