[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    LEASE LOT CONVEYANCE ACT OF 2002

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
706, the Lease Lot Conveyance Act of 2002 introduced by my good friend 
Representative Joe Skeen.
  Let me begin by saying that the citizens of Sierra County, where this 
legislation is targeted, have been well represented by Chairman Skeen 
for the past 22 years. As a member of the House Resources Committee, it 
was a pleasure for me to support H.R. 706 during its committee process 
and a greater pleasure for me to support it today as the House prepares 
to vote on its passage.
  This legislation seeks to correct a situation that began on the 
Elephant Butte Reservoir in the 1930's. The Federal Government offered 
citizens the opportunity to build recreational homes on land leased 
from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The covenants in the lease 
required leaseholders to make substantial investments on the four 
hundred sites released under the program. All leaseholders hoped that 
one day the government would privatize the land and offer it for sale. 
Because that has not occurred, this bill allows current leaseholders 
the opportunity to purchase the land.
  Mr. Charles Ward, President of the Elephant Butte/Caballo 
Leaseholders Association, who testified before the Resources Committee 
last year said, ``Our hold on the lease lots we call ``home'' is 
tenuous, at best. We are all acutely aware we can be removed at any 
time due to a clause in our lease agreement which states, if the 
government determines there is a greater need for these lots, they can 
give us a 60 day notice and we must return our lease lots to their 
original condition.''
  These homeowners deserve to know that their lease fees will not 
increase, and deserve to have the safety and security of a permanent 
home. As far as I am concerned, this is a critical economic development 
issue for the citizens of Sierra County in Congressman Skeen's 
district.
  Again, it is a pleasure to support this legislation. I look forward 
to working with Chairman Skeen, during this second session of the 107th 
Congress on mutual issues that are of benefit to the people of New 
Mexico.

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