[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1447-S1448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself and Mr. Burns):
  S. 1719. A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
Secretary of the Interior to exchange land and other assets with Big 
Sky Lumber Co; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                  the gallatin completion act of 1998

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to announce the introduction 
of the Gallatin Land Consolidation Act of 1998. I am pleased to be 
joined in this introduction by my fellow members of the Montana 
delegation--Senator Burns and Congressman Hill. The Gallatin Act is a 
bipartisan bill that is the culmination of years of hard work and 
unheralded cooperation between the Montana delegation, local 
communities, conservation and user groups, and all levels of 
government.
  The consolidation of this area makes sense on many levels. In the 
Gallatin area, the Act will consolidate the historic checkerboard 
ownership that has muddied the waters of land management for years. 
This bill will establish logical and effective ownership and management 
of these lands. In the long run, consolidation will substantially 
reduce the cost to the Forest Service--and ultimately the taxpayer--of 
managing the Gallatin National Forest. By eliminating this checkerboard 
ownership pattern, the bill improves public access to Forest Service 
lands and reduces the disputes that currently arise over the proper 
location of property lines.
  Perhaps most importantly, this bill will protect these areas so that 
our children can enjoy them just as we do. The checkerboard ownership 
pattern invites sprawling subdivisions. Whether those occur across the 
Taylor Fork, or north in the Bangtails, the effect is the same. The 
Forest Service lands will be diminished in value for wildlife and 
recreation as every other section of land is developed. This 
checkerboard development would also diminish the pristine vistas that 
make this area so special. By consolidating these lands, we can protect 
recreational opportunities, wildlife herds, our famous fisheries, and 
the area's beautiful scenery.
  While consolidation benefits the entire Gallatin area, in the Taylor 
Fork alone, the benefits are awe-inspiring. This area is critical 
winter range for elk and moose and helps to sustain the largest 
contingent of grizzly bears in the lower forty-eight states. The 
conservation of the Taylor Fork, the Gallatin roaded area, and the 
Bangtails will allow for the continued historic uses that define the 
character of Montana such as hunting, grazing, recreation, and wildlife 
habitat protection.
  I would like to take a minute to thank the Montana delegation for 
their hard work that has led to introduction of this Act. I also want 
to recognize and applaud the efforts of all the folks in Montana who 
have been instrumental in crafting this consolidation.
  Local conservation and wildlife groups in Bozeman and in Butte have 
worked long and hard to ensure that this bill protects the fisheries 
and wildlife that make these lands unique. In response to their 
suggestions, we have crafted the bill to ensure that the public will be 
involved in planning the timber-for-land component of this exchange. In 
response to their suggestions, we have also provided for a fair and 
public process to determine the management direction for the acquired 
lands, and have included a restoration program to improve the 
environmental health of these lands. Together, these changes will 
ensure that these lands will be enjoyed by sportsmen and by all 
Montanans for generations to come.
  And I would like to thank those in the timber industry who have 
worked to ensure that this exchange will protect Montana mills. The 
Independent Forest Products Association, who represents many of 
Montana's small mills has been ever vigilant to ensure that the Forest 
Service small business provisions are respected. In that vein, I would 
especially like to thank Al Kington, whose last-minute advice allowed 
us to craft the bill to provide extra protection for Montana's small 
mills.
  I would also like to thank those who have worked so hard to ensure 
that the Taylor Fork is protected. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 
has worked tirelessly to raise funds to purchase one of the sections in 
the Taylor Fork. Local land owners including the Kelsey's of the 9\1/4\ 
Circle Ranch and the Patton's of the Black Butte Ranch and the other 
members of the Upper Gallatin Community, helped with those efforts and 
have been vocal advocates for conserving these lands for all Montanans.
  I would also like to thank Gallatin County Commissioners Jane 
Jelinksi, Phil Olson and Bill Murdock. My staff met with the 
commissioners individually and as a group as we crafted this exchange. 
I appreciate their input and look forward to working with them in the 
future.
  Big Sky Lumber, the private party to this exchange has negotiated the 
terms of this agreement in good faith. They have provided a number of 
concessions to make this exchange more responsive to public concerns. 
These include

[[Page S1448]]

agreements to providing public recreation access across their lands, 
protecting viewsheds in the Bridger Canyon area, and providing options 
to local landowners to allow them to purchase some of these lands 
following the exchange.
  Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank two public 
employees, Bob Dennee with the U.S. Forest Service, and Kurt Alt with 
the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. These two 
individuals have logged long hours on this exchange over the years and 
have been an invaluable resource for me and my staff.
  However, it should be clear to all that our work is not done. As the 
bill moves through the legislative process, I will continue working to 
make sure that this consolidation is responsive to the people that it 
serves. I look forward to working with the Montana public to finalize 
this exchange and to protect these important lands.
  Every once in a while, we are blessed to work on efforts for which we 
know our children will thank us. And the Gallatin Consolidation is one 
of those efforts. If we do not take this opportunity to address the 
problems that were created by the railroad land grants a century ago, 
we may never have another such opportunity. If we do not act now, these 
lands will be broken into smaller and smaller pieces--all to the 
detriment of our fish, wildlife, and cultural heritage. If we do not 
act now, it will be to the detriment of our children. However, if we 
succeed, our children and our grand children will be forever grateful.
  Mr. President, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this important effort. And I thank my colleague from Montana for his 
continued hard work and cooperation on this bill.
  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. 1719

       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 ``Gallatin Land Consolidation 
     Act of 1998''.

      SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the land north of Yellowstone National Park possesses 
     outstanding natural characteristics and wildlife habitats 
     that make the land a valuable addition to the National Forest 
     System;
       (2) it is in the interest of the United States to establish 
     a logical and effective ownership pattern for the Gallatin 
     National Forest, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers and 
     increasing and improving public access to the forest; and
       (3) it is in the interest of the United States for the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to enter into an Option Agreement 
     for the acquisition of land owned by Big Sky Lumber Co. to 
     accomplish the purposes of this Act.

      SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) BLM land.--The term ``BLM land'' means approximately 
     3,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land (including all 
     appurtenances to the land) that is proposed to be acquired by 
     BSL, as depicted in Exhibit B to the Option Agreement.
       (2) BSL.--The term ``BSL'' means Big Sky Lumber Co., an 
     Oregon joint venture, and its successors and assigns, and any 
     other entities having a property interest in the BSL land.
       (3) BSL land.--The term ``BSL land'' means approximately 
     55,000 acres of land (including all appurtenances to the 
     land) owned by BSL that is proposed to be acquired by the 
     Secretary of Agriculture, as depicted in Exhibit A to the 
     Option Agreement.
       (4) Forest system land.--The term ``Forest System land'' 
     means approximately 28,000 acres of land (including all 
     appurtenances to the land) owned by the United States in the 
     Gallatin National Forest, Flathead National Forest, Deer 
     Lodge National Forest, Lolo National Forest, and Lewis and 
     Clark National Forest that is proposed to be acquired by BSL, 
     as depicted in Exhibit B to the Option Agreement.
       (5) Option agreement.--The term ``Option Agreement'' means 
     the document signed by BSL, dated ____________