[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H11044-H11045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BEAVER COUNTY, UTAH REAL PROPERTY CONVEYANCE
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 52) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey a
parcel of real property to Beaver County, Utah.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 52
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE TO BEAVER COUNTY, UTAH.
(a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall,
without consideration and subject to valid existing rights,
convey to Beaver County, Utah (referred to in this Act as the
``County''), all right, title, and interest of the United
States in and to the approximately 200 acres depicted as
``Minersville State Park'' on the map entitled ``S. 2285,
Minersville State Park'' and dated April 30, 2004, for use
for public recreation.
(b) Reconveyance by Beaver County.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), Beaver
County may sell, for not less than fair market value, a
portion of the property conveyed to the County under this
section, if the proceeds of such sale are used by the County
solely for maintenance of public recreation facilities
located on the remainder of the property conveyed to the
County under this section.
(2) Limitation.--If the County does not comply with the
requirements of paragraph
[[Page H11045]]
(1) in the conveyance of the property under that paragraph--
(A) the County shall pay to the United States the proceeds
of the conveyance; and
(B) the Secretary of the Interior may require that all
property conveyed under subsection (a) (other than the
property sold by the County under paragraph (1)) revert to
the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 52, introduced by Senator Hatch, would convey the
Minersville State Park to Beaver County, Utah. Representative Chris
Cannon introduced the companion legislation in the House of
Representatives, which has been approved by the Resources Committee.
Minersville State Park is currently owned by the Bureau of Land
Management, but leased by the State of Utah for recreation. However,
due to budgetary constraints and the park's loss of revenue, the State
can no longer afford to manage the park. Considering its importance to
the local community, Beaver County indicated its desire to own the park
and, with title to the park, would have the flexibility to manage it in
an economically feasible manner.
The State of Utah, the Bureau of Land Management, and Beaver County
all strongly support this bill; and I urge passage of this
noncontroversial measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, normally, a proposal to turn over
parkland free of charge would raise serious concerns, particularly when
the proposal would also allow the new owner to sell off some of the
land.
However, in this instance, we are convinced that Beaver County must
have a revenue stream if they are to continue operating this local
park. This is compromise legislation that will allow the county to sell
some acreage in order to maintain the remainder as public open space.
Mr. Speaker, we do not oppose Senate bill 52.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of S. 52, the Senate
companion bill to an identical bill I introduced earlier this year.
This legislation is important to my constituents, it would allow Beaver
County, Utah to obtain and maintain the former Minersville State Park
without restrictions.
This legislation would permit county officials to sell a small
portion of this land to offset funding needed to operate and maintain
the park.
In 1963, the BLM first granted a patent to Beaver County, Utah for
the lands that are now part of Minersville State Park, and in 1964,
title was transferred to the State of Utah Division of Parks and
Recreation.
However, under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, Utah did not
have authority to transfer title. Over the years, the State of Utah has
made significant improvements to the Park, including building
restrooms, campgrounds, a boat launch ramp, an entrance station, a
pavilion and a maintenance building.
Under S. 52, Beaver County would be authorized to sell, at fair
market value, portions of the property solely for maintenance and
development of the recreational site.
Allowing the county this authority is vital to provide for adequate
park maintenance. Currently, the park estimates that it is losing
approximately $90,000 annually.
This legislation gives Beaver County the necessary flexibility to
generate revenue for continued use, without which Utah will be forced
to close the park.
Minersville State Park is a beautiful recreational site and extremely
important to the residents, my constituents, in the surrounding area.
Passage of this bill will prevent the park from closing by enabling the
county to maintain and operate the park.
S. 52 is important legislation to both Beaver County and to my state
of Utah. This legislation passed the Senate unanimously both in the
108th Congress and in late July of this year.
I urge passage of this legislation, it will benefit Utahns and all
those who wish to visit this park.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 52.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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