[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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