[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CLE ELUM LAND EXCHANGE

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                           HON. DOC HASTINGS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a 
bill to transfer lands along the Cle Elum River in Washington. This 
legislation will transfer about 400 acres of land along the Cle Elum 
River in Washington state from the Secretary of Agriculture to the 
administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior. The bill 
also provides for a subsequent land exchange involving a portion of 
these lands--about 40 acres--with a neighboring private landholder. 
This land is part of a larger tract that was acquired in the 1930s by 
the U.S. Reclamation Service to construct Cle Elum Dam and Reservoir. 
The land was in turn transferred to the Forest Service in 1966, after 
the Interior Department concluded it was no longer needed for 
Reclamation project purposes. The legislation I am introducing 
completes the cycle of returning a portion of the property back to 
Interior, and a smaller portion back to private ownership. This 
legislation enables a public-private partnership to develop much-need 
infrastructure and simplifies property boundaries. This legislation 
enjoys the support of local elected officials and many local 
organizations, businesses. I ask that you please refer this legislation 
to the proper committee for consideration.

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