[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7750-H7753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 1998

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3903) to provide for an exchange of lands near 
Gustavus, Alaska, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3903

       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 ``Glacier Bay National Park 
     Boundary Adjustment Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2. LAND EXCHANGE AND WILDERNESS DESIGNATION.

       (a) In General.--(1) Subject to conditions set forth in 
     subsection (c), if the State of Alaska, in a manner 
     consistent with this Act, offers to transfer to the United 
     States the lands identified in paragraph (4) in exchange for 
     the lands identified in paragraph (3), selected from the area 
     described in section 3(b)(1), the Secretary of the Interior 
     (in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall complete 
     such exchange no later than 6 months after the issuance of a 
     license to Gustavus Electric Company by the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission (in this Act referred to as ``FERC''), 
     in accordance with this Act. This land exchange shall be 
     subject to the laws applicable to exchanges involving lands 
     managed by the Secretary as part of the National Park System 
     in Alaska and the appropriate process for the exchange of 
     State lands required by State law.
       (2) The lands to be conveyed to the United States by the 
     State of Alaska shall be determined by mutual agreement of 
     the Secretary and the State of Alaska. Lands that will be 
     considered for conveyance to the United States pursuant to 
     the process required by State law are lands owned by the 
     State of Alaska in the Long Lake area within Wrangell-St. 
     Elias National Park and Preserve, or other lands owned by the 
     State of Alaska.
       (3) If the Secretary and the State of Alaska have not 
     agreed on which lands the State of Alaska will convey by a 
     date not later than 6 months after a license is issued 
     pursuant to this Act, the United States shall accept, within 
     1 year after a license is issued, title to land having a 
     sufficiently equal value to satisfy State and Federal law, 
     subject to clear title and valid existing rights, and absence 
     of environmental contamination, and as provided by the laws 
     applicable to exchanges involving lands managed by the 
     Secretary as part of the National Park System in Alaska and 
     the appropriate process for the exchange of State lands 
     required by State law. Such land shall be accepted by the 
     United States, subject to the other provisions of this Act, 
     from among the following State lands in the priority listed:


                         copper river meridian

       (A) T.6 S., R. 12 E., partially surveyed, Sec. 5, lots 1, 
     2, and 3, NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\. Containing 
     617.68 acres, as shown on the plat of survey accepted June 9, 
     1922.
       (B) T.6 S., R. 11 E., partially surveyed, Sec. 11, lots 1 
     and 2, NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\; 
     Sec. 12; Sec. 14, lots 1 and 2, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Containing 
     838.66 acres, as shown on the plat of survey accepted June 9, 
     1922.
       (C) T.6 S., R. 11 E., partially surveyed, Sec. 2, NW\1/
     4\NE\1/4\ and NW\1/4\. Containing 200.00 acres, as shown on 
     the plat of survey accepted June 9, 1922.
       (D) T.6 S., R. 12 E., partially surveyed, Sec. 6. lots 1 
     through 10, E\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\. Containing 
     approximately 529.94 acres, as shown on the plat of survey 
     accepted June 9, 1922.
       (4) The lands to be conveyed to the State of Alaska by the 
     United States under paragraph (1) are lands to be designated 
     by the Secretary and the State of Alaska, consistent with 
     sound land management principles, based on those lands 
     determined by FERC with the concurrence of the Secretary and 
     the State of Alaska, in accordance with section 3(b), to be 
     the minimum amount of land necessary for the construction and 
     operation of a hydroelectric project.
       (5) The time periods set forth for the completion of the 
     land exchanges described in this Act may be extended as 
     necessary by the Secretary should the processes of State law 
     or Federal law delay completion of an exchange.
       (6) For purposes of this Act, the term ``land'' means 
     lands, waters, and interests therein.
       (b) Wilderness.--(1) To ensure that this transaction 
     maintains, within the National Wilderness Preservation 
     System, approximately the same amount of area of designated 
     wilderness as currently exists, the following lands in Alaska 
     shall be designated as wilderness in the priority listed, 
     upon consummation of the land exchange authorized by this Act 
     and shall be administered according to the laws governing 
     national wilderness areas in Alaska:
       (A) An unnamed island in Glacier Bay National Park lying 
     southeasterly of Blue Mouse Cove in sections 5, 6, 7, and 8, 
     T. 36 S., R. 54 E., CRM, and shown on United States 
     Geological Survey quadrangle Mt. Fairweather (D-2), Alaska, 
     containing approximately 789 acres.
       (B) Cenotaph Island of Glacier Bay National Park lying 
     within Lituya Bay in sections 23, 24, 25, and 26, T. 37 S., 
     R. 47 E., CRM, and shown on United States Geological Survey 
     quadrangle Mt. Fairweather (C-5), Alaska, containing 
     approximately 280 acres.
       (C) An area of Glacier Bay National Park lying in T. 31. 
     S., R. 43 E and T. 32 S., R. 43 E., CRM, that is not 
     currently designated wilderness, containing approximately 
     2,270 acres.
       (2) The specific boundaries and acreage of these wilderness 
     designations may be reasonably adjusted by the Secretary, 
     consistent with sound land management principles, to 
     approximately equal, in sum, the total wilderness acreage 
     deleted from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve pursuant 
     to the land exchange authorized by this Act.
       (c) Conditions.--Any exchange of lands under this Act may 
     occur only if--
       (1) following the submission of a complete license 
     application, FERC has conducted economic and environmental 
     analyses under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791-828) 
     (notwithstanding provisions of that Act and the Federal 
     regulations that otherwise exempt this project from economic 
     analyses), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321-4370), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 661-666), that conclude, with the concurrence of 
     the Secretary of the Interior with respect to subparagraphs 
     (A) and (B), that the construction and operation of a 
     hydroelectric power project on the lands described in section 
     3(b)--
       (A) will not adversely impact the purposes and values of 
     Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (as constituted after 
     the consummation of the land exchange authorized by this 
     section);
       (B) will comply with the requirements of the National 
     Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470-470w); and
       (C) can be accomplished in an economically feasible manner;
       (2) FERC held at least one public meeting in Gustavus, 
     Alaska, allowing the citizens of Gustavus to express their 
     views on the proposed project;
       (3) FERC has determined, with the concurrence of the 
     Secretary and the State of Alaska, the minimum amount of land 
     necessary to construct and operate this hydroelectric power 
     project; and
       (4) Gustavus Electric Company has been granted a license by 
     FERC that requires Gustavus Electric Company to submit an 
     acceptable financing plan to FERC before project construction 
     may commence, and the FERC has approved such plan.

     SEC. 3. ROLE OF FERC.

       (a) License Application.--(1) The FERC licensing process 
     shall apply to any application submitted by Gustavus Electric 
     Company to the FERC for the right to construct and operate a 
     hydropower project on the lands described in subsection (b).

[[Page H7751]]

       (2) FERC is authorized to accept and consider an 
     application filed by Gustavus Electric Company for the 
     construction and operation of a hydropower plant to be 
     located on lands within the area described in subsection (b), 
     notwithstanding section 3(2) of the Federal Power Act (16 
     U.S.C. 796(2)). Such application must be submitted within 3 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (3) FERC will retain jurisdiction over any hydropower 
     project constructed on this site.
       (b) Analyses.--(1) The lands referred to in subsection (a) 
     of this section are lands in the State of Alaska described as 
     follows:


                         copper river meridian

       Township 39 South, Range 59 East, partially surveyed, 
     Section 36 (unsurveyed), SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\SW\1/4\SW\1/
     4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, W\1/2\W\1/2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, and S\1/
     2\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\. Containing approximately 130 acres.
       Township 40 South, Range 59 East, partially surveyed, 
     Section 1 (unsurveyed), NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\, and 
     SW\1/4\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, excluding U.S. Survey 944 and Native 
     allotment A-442; Section 2 (unsurveyed), fractional, that 
     portion lying above the mean high tide line of Icy Passage, 
     excluding U.S. Survey 944 and U.S. Survey 945; Section 11 
     (unsurveyed), fractional, that portion lying above the mean 
     high tide line of Icy Passage, excluding U.S. Survey 944; 
     Section 12 (unsurveyed), fractional, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/
     2\NW\1/4\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and those portions of NW\1/4\ and 
     SW\1/4\ lying above the mean high tide line of Icy Passage, 
     excluding U.S. Survey 944 and Native allotment A-442. 
     Containing approximately 1,015 acres.
       (2) Additional lands and acreage will be included as needed 
     in the study area described in paragraph (1) to account for 
     accretion to these lands from natural forces.
       (3) With the concurrence of the Secretary and the State of 
     Alaska, the FERC shall determine the minimum amount of lands 
     necessary for construction and operation of such project.
       (4) The National Park Service shall participate as a joint 
     lead agency in the development of any environmental document 
     under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 in the 
     licensing of such project. Such environmental document shall 
     consider both the impacts resulting from licensing and any 
     land exchange necessary to authorize such project.
       (c) Issuance of License.--(1) A condition of the license to 
     construct and operate any portion of the hydroelectric power 
     project shall be FERC's approval, prior to any commencement 
     of construction, of a finance plan submitted by Gustavus 
     Electric Company.
       (2) The National Park Service, as the existing supervisor 
     of potential project lands ultimately to be deleted from the 
     Federal reservation in accordance with this Act, waives its 
     right to impose mandatory conditions on such project lands 
     pursuant to section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
     797(e)).
       (3) FERC shall not license or relicense the project, or 
     amend the project license unless it determines, with the 
     Secretary's concurrence, that the project will not adversely 
     impact the purposes and values of Glacier Bay National Park 
     and Preserve (as constituted after the consummation of the 
     land exchange authorized by this Act). Additionally, a 
     condition of the license, or any succeeding license, to 
     construct and operate any portion of the hydroelectric power 
     project shall require the licensee to mitigate any adverse 
     effects of the project on the purposes and values of Glacier 
     Bay National Park and Preserve identified by the Secretary 
     after the initial licensing.
       (4) A condition of the license to construct and operate any 
     portion of the hydroelectric power project shall be the 
     completion, prior to any commencement of construction, of the 
     land exchange described in this Act.

     SEC. 4. ROLE OF SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

       (a) Special Use Permit.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 
     the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133-1136), the Secretary shall 
     issue a special use permit to Gustavus Electric Company to 
     allow the completion of the analyses referred to in section 
     3. The Secretary shall impose conditions in the permit as 
     needed to protect the purposes and values of Glacier Bay 
     National Park and Preserve.
       (b) Park System.--The lands acquired from the State of 
     Alaska under this Act shall be added to and administered as 
     part of the National Park System, subject to valid existing 
     rights. Upon completion of the exchange of lands under this 
     Act, the Secretary shall adjust, as necessary, the boundaries 
     of the affected National Park System units to include the 
     lands acquired from the State of Alaska; and adjust the 
     boundary of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve to exclude 
     the lands transferred to the State of Alaska under this Act. 
     Any such adjustment to the boundaries of National Park System 
     units shall not be considered in applying any acreage 
     limitations under section 103(b) of Public Law 96-487.
       (c) Wilderness Area Boundaries.--The Secretary shall make 
     any necessary modifications or adjustments of boundaries of 
     wilderness areas as a result of the additions and deletions 
     caused by the land exchange referenced in section 2. Any such 
     adjustment to the boundaries of National Park System units 
     shall not be considered in applying any acreage limitations 
     under section 103(b) of Public Law 96-487.
       (d) Concurrence of the Secretary.--Whenever in this Act the 
     concurrence of the Secretary is required, it shall not be 
     unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed.

     SEC. 5. APPLICABLE LAW.

       The authorities and jurisdiction provided in this Act shall 
     continue in effect until such time as this Act is expressly 
     modified or repealed by Congress.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).
  (Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3903 authorizes a conditional 
land exchange between the State of Alaska and the United States.
  The purpose of the exchange is to enable the construction and 
operation of a small, 800 kilowatt hydroelectric project for the 
community of Gustavus, which is located in Southeast Alaska on the edge 
of Glacier Bay National Park. If feasible, the project would also 
provide low-cost, clean power to the National Park Service.
  The committee held a hearing on H.R. 3903 on June 10, 1998. By a 
voice vote, the bill was ordered reported, with an amendment, on July 
22.
  This legislation completes several years of negotiation with the 
Gustavus Electric Company, the State of Alaska, the National Park 
Service, and local environmental groups. I would like to thank the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) and the work of the Committee on 
Commerce in expediting House consideration of H.R. 3903.
  The need from the bill arises from Gustavus's reliance on diesel 
generation for its power, which presents air emission considerations, 
high energy costs, and risks of fuel spills during shipment. To avoid 
the drawbacks of using diesel fuel, Gustavus Electric Company studied 
alternative power sources. Hydroelectricity generating at a nearby area 
called Falls Creek was identified as the city's best option. I believe 
it also make sense for the National Park Service, too, because the 
agency relies on a separate set of diesel generations there.
  The problem with constructing a hydro-facility is that Falls Creek, 
the proposed site, is currently located inside the boundary of 
designated wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park, where such a 
project is not allowed. To solve this problem, H.R. 3903 authorizes a 
land exchange that will put the site in State ownership, redraw the 
park and wilderness boundary, and enable the United States to acquire 
lands of equal value in Alaska.
  When this land exchange was originally proposed, there was concern 
expressed by the administration and some Alaskans over the potential 
environmental impact of a hydro project in Glacier Bay National Park. I 
have never understood why anyone would object to hydropower when the 
alternative is to continue burning diesel fuel at a national park. 
Regardless, these concerns have been put to rest.
  In the interest of moving forward, I agreed to make the land exchange 
conditional on a determination by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission that a hydro facility will have no adverse impact on the 
Park. In other words, there will be no land exchange, and therefore, no 
project, if FERC finds there will be any harm.
  The bill under consideration today has a minor amendment to the 
reported bill. The amendment strikes section 4(d) of the reported bill. 
This action is technical in nature only.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I include for the Record correspondence 
relative to this bill.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                        Committee on Commerce,

                                Washington, DC, September 8, 1998.
     Hon. Don Young,
     Chairman, House Committee on Resources, Washington, DC.
       Dear Don: On July 22, 1998 the Committee on Resources 
     ordered reported H.R. 3903, the Glacier Bay National Park 
     Boundary Adjustment Act of 1998. H.R. 3903, as ordered 
     reported by the Committee on Resources, details the role of 
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (``FERC'') and 
     Gustavus Electric Company in a land exchange between the 
     United States and the State of Alaska. As you know, the 
     Committee on Commerce was granted an additional referral upon 
     its introduction pursuant to the Committee's jurisdiction 
     over the generation and marketing of power under Rule X of 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives.
       Because of the importance of this matter, I recognize your 
     desire to bring this legislation before the House in an 
     expeditous manner. I also understand that you have agreed

[[Page H7752]]

     to address this Committee's concern over section 4(d) of the 
     bill as ordered reported in a manager's amendment to be 
     offered on the Floor. Therefore, with that understanding, I 
     will waive consideration of the bill by the Commerce 
     Committee. By agreeing to waive its consideration of the 
     bill, the Commerce Committee does not waive its jurisdiction 
     over H.R. 3903. In addition, the Commerce Committee reserves 
     its authority to seek conferees on any provisions of the bill 
     that are within the Commerce Committee's jurisdiction during 
     any House-Senate conference that may be convened on this 
     legislation. I would seek your commitment to support any 
     request by the Commerce Committee for conferees on H.R. 3903 
     or related legislation.
       I would appreciate your including this letter as a part of 
     the Committee's report on H.R. 3903 and as part of the record 
     during consideration of this bill by the House.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Tom Bliley,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                       Committee on Resources,

                                Washington, DC, September 9, 1998.
     Hon. Tom Bliley,
     Chairman, Committee on Commerce,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     3903, the Glacier Bay National Park Boundary Adjustment Act 
     of 1998, a land exchange bill I introduced to help Gustavus, 
     Alaska, construct a small hydroelectric project to provide 
     clean, lower-cost power for the community and for the 
     operation of Glacier Bay National Park.
       I appreciate you waiving your additional referral of this 
     bill to allow it to be considered before the House of 
     Representatives adjourns for the year. As your letter states, 
     I plan to offer a manager's amendment which addresses the 
     concerns you raised regarding subsection 4(d) of the bill as 
     reported by striking that subsection. In addition, I will 
     include your letter in the report on the bill and in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 3903 on the 
     Floor. Finally, I will support your request to be represented 
     on any conference on H.R. 3903 in the unlikely event that one 
     becomes necessary.
       Thank you again for your cooperation and that of Hugh 
     Halpern of your staff. I look forward to seeing H.R. 3903 
     enacted into law soon.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Don Young,
                                                         Chairman.

                              {time}  1530

  Crafting this bill has taken some time, but the final project 
advances a sensible local solution to a serious local problem and 
should be enacted into law without further delay.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), 
the chairman of the Committee on Resources for bringing this piece of 
legislation for consideration by this body.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation as it was 
sponsored and authored by the gentleman from Alaska, also chairman of 
the Committee on Resources.
  It may strike some as unusual for a bill that can lead to a hydro 
project in what is now a national park wilderness to be acceptable to 
the National Park Service. But this is a unique case, Mr. Speaker. Both 
the community of Gustavus, Alaska and the Park Service facilities at 
Glacier Bay National Park are dependent upon diesel generation 
facilities for their electrical power. Barging oil poses a threat of 
spills in park waters. Diesel power generates emissions and is 
expensive.
  Mr. Speaker, the basic purpose of this bill is to authorize a review 
of whether there are more economical and environmentally benign 
alternative sources of power for the community of Gustavus. We are not 
endorsing any specific project in this legislation. Rather, we are 
empowering the Park Service, as partners with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, to study this matter in depth prior to making 
any decision of whether a small hydroelectric project is either 
economically feasible or environmentally desirable.
  Mr. Speaker, as an additional safeguard for the best interest of the 
park's resources, we have extended what in effect is veto power for the 
National Park Service, making any land exchange and FERC license 
subject to their consent. Many questions remain to be addressed in this 
process, including concerns raised by the environmental witnesses in 
hearing testimony before the committee.
  But on the balance, Mr. Speaker, I think it is worth determining in a 
comprehensive public process whether there is a better way to produce 
power for the community of Gustavus. In this regard, I would note for 
the record a comment made by the Governor of Alaska, Tony Knowles in a 
letter to the chairman of the committee, quote, ``The State has worked 
closely with your staff, the National Park Service staff, and the 
Gustavus Electric Company in the development of this bill; and we 
believe it is in the public interest to enact such legislation. Most 
notably, this land exchange would facilitate the development of the 
Fall Creek hydroelectric project near Gustavus. This project, as you 
know, has the potential to provide long-term affordable electricity to 
the people of Gustavus and to the National Park Service facilities. It 
will reduce State subsidies and replace diesel fuel with a clean, 
local, and renewable energy source.''
  Mr. Speaker, a small-scale hydro project and land exchange as 
contemplated in this legislation may well be in the public interest. 
However, that will be determined only after a joint environmental 
Impact Statement conducted by the Park Service and FERC and only if a 
license is issued by FERC with the consent of the Park Service.
  In light of these safeguards, Mr. Speaker, I submit this to my 
colleagues in the House, and I ask them for their support. Support this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
3903, the ``Glacier Bay National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 
1998.'' This bill provides for a land exchange in Alaska in 
anticipation of future development of a hydroelectric project in a 
remote area of the State. Development of this project will sharply 
lower the cost of electricity paid by customers in this rural area, 
which currently relies on high-cost diesel generation.
  H.R. 3903 provides a role for the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission in the land exchange. Under the bill, the Commission 
determines the minimum amount of land necessary for the construction 
and operation of a hydroelectric project. In addition, the land 
exchange may occur only if the Commission has conducted economic and 
environmental analyses that conclude the construction and operation of 
a hydroelectric project on the exchanged land will not adversely impact 
the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, will comply with the 
National Historic Preservation Act, and can be accomplished in an 
economically feasible manner.
  Significantly, the bill does not circumscribe the Commission's 
hydroelectric licensing process. Any hydroelectric project on the 
exchanged lands must be licensed by the Commission, and the Commission 
retains jurisdiction over the operation of any such facility. H.R. 3903 
does not limit the application of the Federal Power act to the 
licensing of a hydroelectric project on the exchanged lands. The bill 
does impose additional conditions beyond those in the Act. For example, 
the Commission is directed to determine the minimum amount of lands 
necessary for construction and operation of a hydroelectric project. 
H.R. 3903 also conditions the license on Commission approval of a 
finance plan submitted by the applicant, the Gustavus Electric Company. 
In addition, the bill bars the Commission from licensing or relicensing 
the hydroelectric project unless it determines the project will not 
adversely impact the purposes and values of Glacier Bay National Park 
and Preserve. Finally, H.R. 3903 requires that the licensee mitigate 
any adverse effects of the project on the purposes and values of 
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve as a condition of the license.
  The Committee on Commerce has jurisdiction over all functions of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including its hydroelectric 
licensing process. The Committee was pleased to work with the Committee 
on Resources on this legislation. As indicated in the exchange of 
correspondence in the report filed by the Committee on Resources, the 
Committee on Commerce waived referral of H.R. 3903 in order to expedite 
floor consideration. However, that does not constitute a waiver of 
jurisdiction.
  As reflected in the exchange of letters between the Committee on 
Commerce and the Committee on Resources, the Committee on Resources has 
agreed to an amendment to strke section 4(d) from the bill. This 
amendment clarifies that the licensee must pay all Federal land use 
fees required under section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act. This 
exchange of letters also commemorates that the Committee on Resources 
would support a request by the Committee on Commerce in the event there 
is a conference on H.R. 3903.

[[Page H7753]]

  I urge support for the legislation.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional speakers 
as well, and I yield back the balance of time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3903, 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.

                          ____________________