[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 7 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S658-S659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. Domenici):
  S. 213. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
certain Federal land to Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself and 
Senator Domenici to introduce legislation to allow a transfer of land 
to Rio Arriba County, NM from the Bureau of Land Management. The land 
is needed for County facilities, a cemetery for a local parish, and a 
new public school.
  Rio Arriba County is in a difficult position; the needs of the 
rapidly increasing area population continue to increase but there is 
precious little land available to the County where they can locate 
necessary facilities. Fortunately, the County has worked with the BLM 
to find a parcel of land that each agrees will best serve the interests 
of the public if it is transferred to County ownership. Indeed, I am 
told that BLM would likely have handled this transfer administratively 
if they were not barred from doing so by the particular history of how 
this parcel came into federal ownership. I am unaware of any opposition 
to the transfer.
  This bill will simply change the legal framework for the parcel so 
that the transfer can take place. I hope the Senate can act on this 
bill as quickly as possible so that Rio Arriba County can move forward 
to meet the pressing needs of the people there.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 213

       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 ``Rio Arriba County Land 
     Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) County.--The term ``County'' means the County of Rio 
     Arriba, New Mexico.
       (2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Alcalde 
     Proposed Land Transfer'' and dated September 23, 2004.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), not later than 
     1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall convey to the County, all right, title, and interest of 
     the United States in and to the land (including any 
     improvements to the land) described in subsection (b).
       (b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in 
     subsection (a) consists of approximately 150.86 acres of land 
     located on

[[Page S659]]

     the Sebastian Martin Land Grant in the vicinity of Alcalde, 
     Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, as depicted on the map.
       (c) Conditions.--
       (1) In general.--The land conveyed under subsection (a) 
     shall be treated as public land for the purposes of the Act 
     of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and 
     Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.)
       (2) Consideration.--The amount of consideration for the 
     conveyance of land under subsection (a) shall be determined 
     by the Secretary consistent with section 2(a) of the Act of 
     June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and Public 
     Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869-1(a)).
       (3) Agreement.--Before conveying the land under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the 
     County that indemnifies the United States from all liability 
     of the United States arising from the land conveyed.
                                 ______