[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H705-H706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           FALLON RAIL FREIGHT LOADING FACILITY TRANSFER ACT

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1870) to provide for the sale of certain real property 
within the Newlands Project in Nevada, to the city of Fallon, Nevada, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1870

       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 ``Fallon Rail Freight Loading 
     Facility Transfer Act''.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE TO THE CITY OF FALLON, NEVADA.

       (a) Conveyance.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the city of Fallon, 
     Nevada, all right, title,

[[Page H706]]

     and interest of the United States in and to approximately 6.3 
     acres of real property in the Newlands Reclamation Project, 
     Nevada, generally known as ``380 North Taylor Street, Fallon, 
     Nevada'', and identified for disposition on the map entitled 
     ``Fallon Rail Freight Loading Facility''.
       (2) Map.--The map referred to in paragraph (1) shall be on 
     file and available for public inspection in--
       (A) the offices of the Commissioner of the Bureau of 
     Reclamation; and
       (B) the offices of the Area Manager of the Bureau of 
     Reclamation, Carson City, Nevada.
       (b) Consideration.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall require that, as 
     consideration for the conveyance under subsection (a), the 
     city of Fallon, Nevada, shall pay to the United States an 
     amount equal to the fair market value of the real property, 
     as determined--
       (A) by an appraisal of the real property, conducted not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act by 
     an independent appraiser approved by the Commissioner of 
     Reclamation and paid for by the city of Fallon, Nevada; and
       (B) without taking into consideration the value of any 
     structures or improvements on the property.
       (2) Credit of proceeds.--The amount paid to the United 
     States under paragraph (1) shall be credited, in accordance 
     with section 204(c) of the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 485(c)), to 
     the appropriate fund in the Treasury relating to the Newlands 
     Reclamation Project, Nevada.
       (c) Liability.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall 
     not occur until such data as the Commissioner of Reclamation 
     certifies that all liability issues relating to the property 
     (including issues of environmental liability) have been 
     resolved.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express strong support for 
H.R. 1870, the Fallon Rail Freight Leading Facility Transfer Act; and I 
want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and my good friend, 
the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood), and the Committee on Resources 
for moving this bill expeditiously to the floor for a vote.
  H.R. 1870 will privilege the city of Fallon, Nevada, the exclusive 
right to purchase approximately 6.3 acres of public land located in the 
downtown area of the city.
  The Fallon Rail Freight Loading Facility Transfer Act will enable the 
city of Fallon to make the necessary long-term investments and capital 
improvements to the property to ensure the future viability of this 
important municipal asset is maintained.
  Fallon is a rural agricultural community of approximately 8,700 
residents located in northern Nevada approximately 70 miles east of the 
city of Reno. Since 1984, the city of Fallon has leased approximately 
6.3 acres of property from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that it 
utilizes as a rail freight yard and loading facility. The city, the 
State of Nevada, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the 
Southern Pacific Railroad have collectively invested a significant 
amount of money in this rail facility, providing more than 400 jobs in 
the community.
  On January 1 of 2000, the long-term lease between the city of Fallon 
and the Bureau of Reclamation expired. As negotiations began for a new 
long-term lease, the city of Fallon and the bureau came to the common 
conclusion that it would be in the best interest of both parties to 
have ownership of this property transferred to the city of Fallon. The 
city would be able to make long-term investments to a facility that it 
owned without having to worry about renegotiating new leases and the 
possibility of losing access to the property. The Bureau of Reclamation 
would be able to divest itself from an asset that no longer serves a 
purpose to its core mission, allowing more of its scarce resources to 
be focused on the traditional roles of the bureau.
  Of course, Mr. Speaker, this transfer will be contingent upon the 
satisfactory conclusion of all necessary and environmental reviews, and 
it will be purchased by the city at fair market value.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1870 has strong support from Nevada's 
bipartisan congressional delegation. On behalf of the city of Fallon, I 
urge my colleagues to pass the Fallon Rail Freight Loading Facility 
Transfer Act, a bill which will create a win-win situation for everyone 
involved.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1870 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to 
convey to the city of Fallon, Nevada, all right, title and interest in 
approximately 6.3 acres of property within the Newlands project. The 
city would like to use the property for a planned truck-to-railroad 
transfer structure. The bill reflects changes recommended by the 
Interior Department. It would require the city to pay fair market value 
without regard to the value of structures or improvements in the 
property. I urge adoption of the bill, and I congratulate my colleague, 
the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1870, 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.

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