[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRANSFER OF LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES FROM TVA TO THE FOREST SERVICE

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about an issue that is 
of great importance to my state. For over 30 years the Tennessee Valley 
Authority has administered a parcel of land in Kentucky called Land 
Between the Lakes. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of 
visiting this region, Land Between the Lakes is used for recreational 
and educational activities and for pure enjoyment of the land's beauty.
  In 1961 TVA proposed to President Kennedy that land between Lake 
Barkley and Kentucky Lake be established as a national recreation area. 
In 1963 that proposal became a reality. Initially, TVA was to 
administer Land Between the Lakes for about 10 years as a temporary 
demonstration project after which permanent administration would be 
determined. Though no formal proceedings were held to determine who 
should administer Land Between the Lakes it has been the custom and 
practice of Congress to provide annual appropriations to TVA for Land 
Between the Lakes.
  TVA has invested years in creating a program that meets the needs of 
all Land Between the Lakes visitors. According to the Administration 
Land Between the Lakes is ``the hub of tourism and recreation industry 
that annually generates $400 million in economic activity in nine 
contiguous counties.'' TVA has the equipment, it has the resources and 
it has employees to do the job correctly. TVA has a vested interest in 
protecting the integrity of the land, a vested interest like the 
original landowners who want to assure their land in Kentucky receives 
the upmost care and protection. And Mr. President, people in the 
Commonwealth of Kentucky have deep cultural ties to the land. Land 
Between the Lakes is not just another recreation area--it is a part of 
family history. Kentuckians gave up their rights to property that had 
been in their family for generations, so the whole world would have the 
opportunity to enjoy Land Between the Lakes and its natural resources.
  Creation of Land Between the Lakes as a national recreation area was 
not without incident. But over the years TVA has proven itself as a 
worthy guardian of one of Kentucky's most precious resources. Land 
Between the Lakes is a place for both the young and old, Kentuckians 
and visitors to our state to appreciate nature in its purest form. TVA 
is keeping a promise made to the original land owners to conserve, 
protect and keep the land in its natural state.
  Mr. President, a provision of this bill transfers the administrative 
authority of Land Between the Lakes to the National Forest Service if 
Congress does not appropriate $6 million to manage the recreation area. 
But in Kentucky, we believe if it isn't broken don't fix it. The people 
of Kentucky who sacrificed their family land to create Land Between the 
Lakes do not want this transfer to occur. They cannot understand why 
people in Washington want to take away TVA's administrative authority 
of Land Between the Lakes when Kentuckians are happy with the status 
quo, and I'm having a hard time explaining why people who don't live in 
Kentucky are making this decision. It doesn't make sense to my 
constituents and I agree.
  If Congress is willing to appropriate $6 million for Land Between the 
Lakes for the Forest Service, then it's sending a clear message that it 
supports continued funding for Land Between the Lakes. If Congress 
intends to fund Land Between the Lakes then it makes sense to fund it 
through TVA, an established and successful route of management.
  Who administers Land Between the Lakes may not be an issue of 
national importance, but for Kentuckians it is a matter of pride and 
honor in protecting their land. For the last couple of years we've all 
heard how important it is to give local communities the power to make 
decisions that directly affect their lives. When it's in Congress' best 
interest, they're all for giving local communities the power to make 
their own decisions. But for Kentuckians who gave up their land to help 
create Land Between the Lakes, Congress believes it knows better what's 
in their best interest.
  This provision threatens the integrity of the land and the integrity 
of the people of Kentucky. My fellow Kentuckians have never been shy 
about letting me know what is best for them and I've never been afraid 
to listen. Transferring administrative authority of Land Between the 
Lakes away from TVA is a bad move. The proposal of this transfer has 
caused an emotional response and divided communities. It does not 
represent the best interest of Land Between the Lakes, the original 
landowners' families, nor the people of Kentucky.

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