[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14189-S14190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Smith):
  S. 2150. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
certain Bureau of Land Management Land to the City of Eugene, Oregon; 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I introduce, with my friend and 
colleague from Oregon, Senator Smith, a small bill that should pack a 
big score for ecological education in the City of Eugene. This bill 
authorizes the transfer of 12 acres from the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) to the City of Eugene on which the City of Eugene plans to 
construct the West Eugene Environmental Education Center (WEEEC). The 
WEEEC is a planned campus that will eventually hold laboratories, 
greenhouses, a reference library, and public gathering places including 
an exhibit hall, auditorium, and three classrooms. Transfer of this 
acreage by this bill is the first step towards making the promise of 
this educational center a reality.
  The WEEEC and this bill are supported by the West Eugene Wetland 
Partnership (Partnership). The Partnership is made up of the BLM, 
Eugene School Districts, Northwest Youth Corp, and the Willamette 
Resources and Educational Network (WREN) which was formed to assist in 
planning, funding, building, and operating portions of this education 
center. This bill

[[Page S14190]]

is also supported by the Oregon and California Counties (O&C counties) 
who originally had issue with the land transfer because they opposed 
loss of the 12 acres from the BLM land base. They are now in support of 
this bill because the City of Eugene has stepped up to the plate and is 
transferring land they currently own to the BLM to keep the public land 
roles consistent.
  The WEEEC will be the culmination of over a decade of work on the 
part of local folks to preserve the West Eugene Wetlands. I urge its 
swift passage.
  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. 2150

       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 ``Eugene Land Conveyance 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Eugene, 
     Oregon.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE TO THE CITY OF EUGENE, OREGON.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convey to the 
     City, without consideration and subject to all valid existing 
     rights, all right, title, and interest of the United States 
     in and to the land described in subsection (b)(1) for the 
     purposes of--
       (1) establishing a wildlife viewing area; and
       (2) the construction and operation of an environmental 
     education center.
       (b) Description of Land.--
       (1) In general.--The land referred to in subsection (a) is 
     the parcel of approximately 12 acres of land under the 
     administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management 
     in Lane County, Oregon, as depicted on the map entitled ``Red 
     House Property'' and dated April 11, 2005.
       (2) Survey.--
       (A) In general.--The exact acreage and legal description of 
     the land described in paragraph (1) shall be determined by a 
     survey acceptable to the Secretary, including an existing 
     survey.
       (B) Cost.--If the Secretary determines that a new survey of 
     the land is required, the City shall be responsible for 
     paying the cost of the survey.
       (c) Reversion.--
       (1) In general.--If the Secretary determines that the land 
     conveyed under subsection (a) is not being used for the 
     purposes described in that subsection--
       (A) all right, title, and interest in and to the land 
     (including any improvements to the land) shall revert to the 
     United States; and
       (B) the United States shall have the right of immediate 
     entry to the land.
       (2) Hearing.--Any determination of the Secretary under 
     paragraph (1) shall be made on the record after an 
     opportunity for a hearing.
       (d) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions for the 
     conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary determines 
     to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.
                                 ______