[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1098-H1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH RECREATIONAL AND VISITOR FACILITIES

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3848) to provide funds for the construction of recreational 
and visitor facilities in Washington County, Utah, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3848

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

     SECTION 1. FUNDS FOR RECREATIONAL AND VISITOR FACILITIES IN 
                   WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH.

       The Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land 
     Management, is authorized to grant to the State of Utah 
     $2,500,000 for the development and construction of 
     recreational and visitor facilities in the Sand Hollow 
     Recreation Area located in Washington County, Utah, to 
     fulfill the Federal commitment for the establishment and 
     management thereof.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3848 provides funding for the development and 
construction of recreational facilities for the Sand Hollow 
Recreational Area in Washington County, Utah.
  For several years, Washington County has been the fastest growing 
area in the State of Utah and a premier tourist destination. Several 
years ago, the Bureau of Land Management, Washington

[[Page H1099]]

County Water Conservancy District, and the Utah Division of State 
Parks, together with local leaders and stakeholders, teamed up to 
identify necessary recreational opportunities, programs and facilities 
in the Sand Hollow area near the City of St. George. In May, 2001, 
these agencies completed a cooperative management plan based on public 
input and involvement.
  The Sand Hollow Area Recreation Management Plan envisions the 
development of two campgrounds, a full-service marina, a group 
campground, and four separate day-use pavilions to draw recreationists 
to a centralized location with diverse recreational opportunities. 
These facilities are essential to the success of this area, which has 
the potential to become the predominant recreation area in the region. 
The recreation area will thus serve as a buffer to urban growth in the 
St. George area.
  The plan divided the initial funding equally between the three 
agencies, equating to a one-time share of $2.5 million for the Bureau 
of Land Management. These funds, together with the State and water 
district funds, will be used to implement the plan and construct the 
necessary facilities. This bill authorizes the Bureau of Land 
Management share of these one-time initial costs to the project. I urge 
my colleagues to support H.R. 3848.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3848 is sponsored by the esteemed 
chairman of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Hansen). The bill was introduced just last month and was reported from 
the Committee on Resources with no hearings. As such, we have limited 
information on the proposal.
  As the gentleman explained, the bill authorizes the Bureau of Land 
Management to make a grant to the State of Utah in the amount of $2.5 
million for the development and construction of recreational and 
visitor facilities at a State recreational area in Washington County, 
Utah.
  While the local BLM may have indicated their willingness to help fund 
this project, the agency lacks the authority to spend Federal funds on 
facilities on State lands.
  However, we would not object to consideration of H.R. 3848 by the 
House today. The bill is solely an authorization and should not be 
construed as establishing a precedent for other requests for Federal 
funds.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. 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 Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3848.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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