[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S8538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           LAND CONVEYANCE, COUNTY OF RIO ARRIBA, NEW MEXICO

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 1510) to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to convey 
certain lands to the county of Rio Arriba, New Mexico, which had been 
reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, with an 
amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu 
thereof the following:

                                S. 1510

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

     SECTION 1. OLD COYOTE ADMINISTRATIVE SITE.

       (a) Conveyance of Property.--Not later than one year after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
     Interior (herein ``the Secretary'') shall convey to the 
     County of Rio Arriba, New Mexico (herein ``the County''), 
     subject to the terms and conditions stated in subsection (b), 
     all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
     the land (including all improvements on the land) known as 
     the ``Old Coyote Administrative Site'' located approximately 
     \1/2\ mile east of the Village of Coyote, New Mexico, on 
     State Road 96, comprising one tract of 130.27 acres (as 
     described in Public Land Order 3730), and one tract of 276.76 
     acres (as described in Executive Order 4599).
       (b) Terms and Conditions.--
       (1) Consideration for the conveyance described in 
     subsection (a) shall be--
       (A) an amount that is consistent with the special pricing 
     program for Governmental entities under the Recreation and 
     Public Purposes Act; and
       (B) an agreement between the Secretary and the County 
     indemnifying the Government of the United States from all 
     liability of the Government that arises from the property.
       (2) The lands conveyed by this Act shall be used for public 
     purposes. If such lands cease to be used for public purposes, 
     at the option of the United States, such lands will revert to 
     the United States.
       (c) Land Withdrawals.--Land withdrawals under Public Land 
     Order 3730 and Executive Order 4599 as extended in the 
     Federal Register on May 25, 1989 (54 F.R. 22629) shall be 
     revoked simultaneous with the conveyance of the property 
     under subsection (a).

  The committee amendment was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 1510), as amended, was deemed read the third time and 
passed.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I am very pleased that the Senate has 
today passed S. 1510, the Rio Arriba, New Mexico Land Conveyance Act of 
1998. This legislation will provide long-term benefits for the people 
of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
  Seventy percent of Rio Arriba County is in federal ownership. 
Communities find themselves unable to grow or find available property 
necessary to provide local services. This legislation allows for 
transfer by the Secretary of the Interior real property and 
improvements at an abandoned and surplus administrative site for the 
Carson National Forest to Rio Arriba County. The site is known as the 
old Coyote Ranger District Station, near the small town of Coyote, New 
Mexico.
  The Coyote Station will continue to be used for public purposes, 
including a community center, and a fire substation. Some of the 
buildings will also be available for the County to use for storage and 
repair of road maintenance equipment, and other County vehicles.
  Mr. President, the Forest Service has determined that this site is of 
no further use to them, since they have recently completed construction 
of a new administrative facility for the Coyote Ranger District. The 
Forest Service reported to the General Services Administration that the 
improvements on the site were considered surplus, and would be 
available for disposal under their administrative procedures. At this 
particular site, however, the land on which the facilities have been 
built is withdrawn public domain land, under the jurisdiction of the 
Bureau of Land Management.
  I have worked closely with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land 
Management since introducing this bill in November. The Administration 
is supportive of the legislation and the changes made to the bill.
  Mr. President, since neither the Bureau of Land Management nor the 
Forest Service have any interest in maintaining Federal ownership of 
this land and the surplus facilities, and Rio Arriba County desperately 
needs them, passage of S. 1510 is a win-win situation for the federal 
government and New Mexico. I look forward to the House's agreement and 
Presidential signature soon.

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