[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7648-H7651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UTAH RECREATIONAL LAND EXCHANGE ACT OF 2006
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2069) to authorize the exchange of certain land in Grand and
Uintah Counties, Utah, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2069
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 ``Utah Recreational Land
Exchange Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the area surrounding the Colorado River in Grand and
San Juan Counties, Utah, and Dinosaur National Monument and
the Book Cliffs in Uintah County, Utah, contains nationally
recognized scenic vistas, significant archaeological and
historic resources, valuable wildlife habitat, and
outstanding opportunities for public recreation that are
enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people annually;
(2) the State of Utah owns multiple parcels of land in the
area that were granted to the State under the Act of July 16,
1894 (28 Stat. 107, chapter 138), to be held in trust for the
benefit of the public school system and other public
institutions of the State;
(3) the parcels of State trust land are largely scattered
in checkerboard fashion amid the Federal land comprising the
area of the Colorado River corridor, the Dinosaur National
Monument, and the Book Cliffs;
(4) the State trust land in the area of the Colorado River
corridor, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Book Cliffs
includes significant natural and recreational features,
including--
(A) portions of Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River;
(B) the nationally recognized Kokopelli and Slickrock
trails;
(C) several of the largest natural rock arches in the
United States;
(D) multiple wilderness study areas and proposed wilderness
areas; and
(E) viewsheds for Arches National Park and Dinosaur
National Monument;
(5) the large presence of State trust land located in the
Colorado River corridor, Dinosaur National Monument, and the
Book Cliffs area makes land and resource management in the
area more difficult, costly, and controversial for the United
States and the State of Utah;
(6) although the State trust land was granted to the State
to generate financial support for public schools in the State
through the sale or development of natural resources,
development of those resources in the Colorado River
corridor, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Book Cliffs
area may be incompatible with managing the area for
recreational, natural, and scenic resources;
(7) the United States owns land and interests in land in
other parts of the State of Utah that can be transferred to
the State in exchange for the State trust land without
jeopardizing Federal management objectives or needs; and
(8) it is in the public interest to exchange federally
owned land in the State for the Utah State trust land located
in the Colorado River Corridor, Dinosaur National Monument,
and the Book Cliffs area, on terms that are fair to the
United States and the State of Utah.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to direct,
facilitate, and expedite the exchange of certain Federal land
and non-Federal land in the State to further the public
interest by--
(1) exchanging Federal land that has limited recreational
and conservation resources; and
(2) acquiring State trust land with important recreational,
scenic, and conservation resources for permanent public
management and use.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the land
located in Grand, San
[[Page H7649]]
Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, that is identified on the
maps as--
(A) ``BLM Subsurface only Proposed for Transfer to State
Trust Lands'';
(B) ``BLM Surface only Proposed for Transfer to State Trust
Lands''; and
(C) ``BLM Lands Proposed for Transfer to State Trust
Lands''.
(2) Grand county map.--The term ``Grand County Map'' means
the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled
``Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act Grand County'' and
dated September 22, 2006.
(3) Maps.--The term ``maps'' means the Grand County Map and
the Uintah County Map.
(4) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land'' means
the land in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, that
is identified on the maps as--
(A) ``State Trust Land Proposed for Transfer to BLM''; and
(B) ``State Trust Minerals Proposed for Transfer to BLM''.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Utah, as
trustee under the Utah State School and Institutional Trust
Lands Management Act (Utah Code Ann. 53C-1-101 et seq.).
(7) Uintah county map.--The term ``Uintah County Map''
means the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management
entitled ``Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act Uintah
County'' and dated September 22, 2006.
SEC. 4. EXCHANGE OF LAND.
(a) In General.--If, not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the State offers to convey to the
United States title to the non-Federal land, the Secretary
shall--
(1) accept the offer; and
(2) on receipt of acceptable title to the non-Federal land
and subject to valid existing rights, convey to the State all
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the
Federal land.
(b) Conveyance of Parcels in Phases.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding that appraisals for all of
the parcels of Federal land and non-Federal land may not have
been completed under section 5, parcels of the Federal land
and non-Federal land may be exchanged under subsection (a) in
3 phases beginning on the date on which the appraised values
of the parcels included in the applicable phase are approved
under section 5(b)(5).
(2) Phases.--The 3 phases referred to in paragraph (1)
are--
(A) phase 1, consisting of the non-Federal land identified
as ``phase one'' land on the Grand County Map;
(B) phase 2, consisting of the non-Federal land identified
as ``phase two'' land on the Grand County Map and the Uintah
County Map; and
(C) phase 3, consisting of any remaining non-Federal land
that is not identified as ``phase one'' land or ``phase two''
land on the Grand County Map or the Uintah County Map.
(3) No agreement on exchange.--If agreement has not been
reached with respect to the exchange of an individual parcel
of Federal land or non-Federal land, the Secretary and the
State may agree to set aside the individual parcel to allow
the exchange of the other parcels of Federal land and non-
Federal land to proceed.
(c) Appurtenant Water Rights.--Any conveyance of a parcel
of Federal land or non-Federal land under this Act shall
include the conveyance of water rights appurtenant to the
parcel conveyed.
(d) Timing.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and
(3), the exchange of land authorized by subsection (a) shall
be completed not later than 330 days after the date on which
the State makes the Secretary an offer to convey the non-
Federal land under that subsection.
(2) Exception.--The deadline established under paragraph
(1) shall not apply to a parcel of land, the value of which
is being determined under section 5(b)(6)(C).
(3) Extension.--The Secretary and the State may mutually
agree to extend the deadline specified in paragraph (1).
(e) Compliance.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act,
the exchange of land shall be carried out in compliance with
all laws and regulations applicable to the exchange of
Federal land for non-Federal land.
SEC. 5. EXCHANGE VALUATION, APPRAISALS, AND EQUALIZATION.
(a) Equal Value Exchange.--The value of the Federal land
and non-Federal land to be exchanged under this Act--
(1) shall be equal; or
(2) shall be made equal in accordance with subsection (c).
(b) Appraisals.--
(1) In general.--The value of the Federal land and the non-
Federal land shall be determined by appraisals conducted in
accordance with--
(A) section 206(d) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(d)); and
(B) section 2201.3 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations
(or successor regulations).
(2) Selection of appraiser.--The appraisals of the Federal
land and non-Federal land shall be conducted by 1 or more
independent third-party appraisers selected jointly by the
Secretary and the State.
(3) Costs.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary and the State shall share
third-party appraisal costs equally.
(B) Adjustment.--The Secretary and the State may agree to
adjust the relative value of the Federal land and non-Federal
land to be exchanged under this Act if the Secretary or the
State has paid a disproportionate share of the third-party
appraisal costs.
(4) Valuation of unleased federal land; revenue sharing.--
(A) In general.--Any parcel of Federal land that, as of the
date of appraisal, is not leased under the Mineral Leasing
Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), shall be appraised without
regard to the presence of minerals subject to lease under
that Act, if, after conveyance of the applicable parcel to
the State, the State agrees to pay to the United States--
(i) 50 percent of any bonus or rental payments (in the form
of money or other consideration) that the State receives for
the disposition of any interest in the minerals after the
date of conveyance; and
(ii) an amount equal to--
(I) the fraction of gross proceeds from mineral production
(in the form of money or other consideration) to which the
United States would have been entitled as a production
royalty if the land had been--
(aa) retained by the United States; and
(bb) leased under the provisions of that Act in effect on
the date of this Act; minus
(II) the portion of production royalties that would
otherwise be payable to the State under section 35 of the
Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191).
(B) Obligation as covenant.--The obligation of the State to
pay bonus, rental, and royalty revenues to the United States
under subparagraph (A) shall be a permanent covenant running
with the applicable parcel of Federal land conveyed to the
State.
(C) Special account.--All revenues received by the United
States under this paragraph shall be deposited in a special
account in the Treasury of the United States and shall be
available without further appropriation to the Secretary
until expended for--
(i) the equalization of values as provided in subsection
(c)(1);
(ii) the purchase of lands or interests therein within the
State of Utah that are otherwise eligible for purchase under
the Federal Lands Transaction Facilitation Act (43 U.S.C.
2301 et. seq.); or
(iii) the purchase of lands or interests therein owned by
the State of Utah as trustee under the Utah State School and
Institutional Trust Lands Management Act that are determined
by the Secretary to have outstanding characteristics for
outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, wilderness, or other
natural resources.
(D) Acquisition.--Any land acquired under this section
shall be--
(i) from a willing seller;
(ii) contingent on the conveyance of title acceptable to
the Secretary, using title standards of the Attorney General;
(iii) at a price not to exceed fair market value consistent
with applicable provisions of the Uniform Appraisal Standards
for Federal Land Acquisitions; and
(iv) managed as part of the unit within which it is
contained.
(5) Review and approval.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date on
which the appraiser is selected under paragraph (2), the
appraiser shall submit to the Secretary and the State a copy
of the completed appraisals for review.
(B) Approval or disapproval.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of receipt of an appraisal under subparagraph (A),
the Secretary and the State shall independently approve or
disapprove the appraisal.
(6) Determination of value.--
(A) Determination by secretary and state.--If the Secretary
and the State are unable to agree on the value of a parcel of
land, the value of the parcel may be determined by the
Secretary and the State in accordance with paragraphs (2) and
(4) of section 206(d) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(d)).
(B) Valuation of leased federal land.--
(i) In general.--If value is attributed to any parcel of
Federal land because of the presence of minerals subject to
leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191 et
seq.), and the parcel is subject to an existing lease under
that Act, the value of the parcel shall be equal to the value
of the parcel as determined under this section, as adjusted
under clause (ii).
(ii) Adjustment.--
(I) In general.--The value of the parcel subject to a lease
under clause (i) shall be reduced by the percentage of the
Federal revenue sharing obligation under section 35(a) of the
Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(a)).
(II) No property right.--An adjustment under subclause (I)
shall not be considered to be a property right of the State.
(C) Determination by court.--
(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, if the Secretary and the State have not agreed on the
value of a parcel by the date that is 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, a Federal district court (including
the United States District Court for the District of Utah,
Central Division) shall have jurisdiction to determine the
value of the parcel.
(ii) Limitation.--An action to determine the value of a
parcel under clause (i) shall be brought not earlier than 1
year, but not more than 3 years, after the date of enactment
of this Act.
(D) Availability of appraisals.--
(i) In general.--All final appraisals, appraisal reviews,
and determinations of value for land to be exchanged under
this Act shall
[[Page H7650]]
be available for public review at the Utah State Office of
the Bureau of Land Management at least 30 days before the
conveyance of the applicable parcels.
(ii) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish in a
newspaper of general circulation in Salt Lake County, Utah, a
notice that the appraisals are available for public
inspection.
(c) Equalization of Values.--
(1) Surplus of non-federal land.--If after completion of
the appraisal and dispute resolution process under subsection
(b), the value of the non-Federal land exceeds the value of
the Federal land the Secretary shall, in partial exchange for
the non-Federal land, provide for payment to the State of the
amount necessary to equalize values from funds made available
under the special account established by subsection
(b)(4)(C). The State shall be entitled to receive a
reasonable rate of interest at a rate equivalent to a five-
year Treasury note on the balance of the value owed by the
United States from the effective date of the exchange until
full value is received by the State.
(2) Surplus of federal land.--If after completion of the
appraisal and dispute resolution process under subsection
(b), the value of the Federal land exceeds the value of the
non-Federal land, the value of the Federal land and non-
Federal land may be equalized by--
(A) the Secretary, after consultation with the State,
removing parcels of Federal land from the exchange until the
value is equal; or
(B) the Secretary and the State adding additional State
trust land to the non-Federal land, if--
(i) the additional land has been appraised in accordance
with an ongoing Federal acquisition process or program; and
(ii) the appraised value (as determined under clause (i))
has been accepted by the Secretary.
(3) Notice and public inspection.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary and the State determine
to add or remove land from the exchange, the Secretary
shall--
(i) publish in a newspaper of general circulation in Salt
Lake County, Utah, a notice that identifies when and where a
revised exchange map will be available for public inspection;
and
(ii) transmit to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the
House of Representatives a copy of the revised exchange map.
(B) Limitation.--The Secretary and the State shall not add
or remove land from the exchange until at least 20 days after
the date on which the notice is published under subparagraph
(A)(i) and the map is transmitted under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(d) Resource Report.--
(1) In general.--With respect to each parcel of Federal
land to be conveyed to the State, the Secretary shall prepare
a report, based on land management plans, resource
inventories, and surveys existing on the date on which the
report is prepared, that identifies any significant resource
values, issues, or management concerns associated with the
parcel.
(2) Notice and inspection.--A report shall be subject to
the public notice and inspection in accordance with
subsection (b)(6)(D).
SEC. 6. STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND AFTER EXCHANGE.
(a) Administration of Non-Federal Land.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and in accordance
with section 206(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(c)), the non-Federal land
acquired by the United States under this Act shall become
part of, and be managed as part of, the Federal
administrative unit or area in which the land is located.
(2) Mineral leasing and occupancy.--
(A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, the non-
Federal land acquired by the United States under this Act
shall be withdrawn from the operation of the mineral leasing
and mineral material disposal laws until the later of--
(i) the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act; or
(ii) the date on which the Record of Decision authorizing
the implementation of the applicable resource management
plans under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is signed.
(B) Exception.--Any land identified on the maps as
``Withdrawal Parcels'' is withdrawn from the operation of the
mineral leasing and mineral material disposal laws.
(3) Receipts.--
(A) In general.--Any receipts derived from the non-Federal
land acquired under this Act shall be paid into the general
fund of the Treasury.
(B) Applicable law.--Mineral receipts from the non-Federal
land acquired under this Act shall not be subject to section
35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191).
(b) Withdrawal of Federal Land Prior to Exchange.--Subject
to valid existing rights, during the period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act and ending on the earlier of
the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this
Act or the date on which the Federal land is conveyed under
this Act, the Federal land is withdrawn from--
(1) disposition (other than disposition under section 4)
under the public land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) the operation of--
(A) the mineral leasing laws;
(B) the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et
seq.); and
(C) the first section of the Act of July 31, 1947 (commonly
known as the ``Materials Act of 1947'') (30 U.S.C. 601).
(c) Grazing Permits.--
(1) In general.--If land acquired under this Act is subject
to a lease, permit, or contract for the grazing of domestic
livestock in effect on the date of acquisition, the person or
entity acquiring the land shall allow the grazing to continue
for the remainder of the term of the lease, permit, or
contract, subject to the related terms and conditions of user
agreements, including permitted stocking rates, grazing fee
levels, access rights, and ownership and use of range
improvements.
(2) Renewal.--To the extent allowed by Federal or State
law, on expiration of any grazing lease, permit, or contract
described in paragraph (1), the holder of the lease, permit,
or contract shall be entitled to a preference right to renew
the lease, permit, or contract.
(3) Cancellation.--
(A) In general.--Nothing in this Act prevents the Secretary
or the State from canceling or modifying a grazing permit,
lease, or contract if the land subject to the permit, lease,
or contract is sold, conveyed, transferred, or leased for
nongrazing purposes by the party.
(B) Limitation.--Except to the extent reasonably necessary
to accommodate surface operations in support of mineral
development, the Secretary or the State shall not cancel or
modify a grazing permit, lease, or contract because the land
subject to the permit, lease, or contract has been leased for
mineral development.
(4) Base properties.--If land conveyed by the State under
this Act is used by a grazing permittee or lessee to meet the
base property requirements for a Federal grazing permit or
lease, the land shall continue to qualify as a base property
for the remaining term of the lease or permit and the term of
any renewal or extension of the lease or permit.
(d) Hazardous Materials.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary and, as a condition of the
exchange, the State shall make available for review and
inspection any record relating to hazardous materials on the
land to be exchanged under this Act.
(2) Costs.--The costs of remedial actions relating to
hazardous materials on land acquired under this Act shall be
paid by those entities responsible for the costs under
applicable law.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary to carry out this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
{time} 2300
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Utah Regional Land Exchange Act is the culmination
of years of analysis and negotiations among representatives of Utah's
State School Trust Lands, the Department of the Interior, locally
elected officials, environmental groups and Members of Congress.
Congressman Chris Cannon should be commended for crafting this
bipartisan legislation that will convey and exchange of over 80,000
acres of State and Federal lands for recreation, scenic and development
purposes. This creative and significant exchange will be of great
benefit to Utah's schools, recreationists, communities, and to all
Americans who care about the proper care and management of Federal
lands and in protecting important natural and scenic areas.
I urge passage of this bill.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, the chairman of the subcommittee has
adequately explained the purpose of the legislation. I would just note,
however, that the lands involved do lie within the Congressional
district represented by my good friend and colleague, Jim Matheson from
Utah. I commend his leadership and involvement in the passage of this
legislation.
I would encourage its adoption this evening.
Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R.
2069. I would note that the lands involved lie within the Congressional
District represented by my colleague, Jim Matheson. The gentleman from
[[Page H7651]]
Utah is to be commended for his advocacy of a land exchange that, as
amended, is a win-win for all the involved parties.
Madam Speaker, we appreciate the cooperation shown by the majority,
the State of Utah, the BLM, and others in addressing issues that
originally existed with the legislation. We support H.R. 2069, as
amended, and have no objection to the adoption of the legislation by
the House today.
Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R.
2069, the Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005.
Since statehood, Utah has held lands in trust to generate funds for
public schools. But they are scattered throughout the State in a
checkerboard pattern, isolated within federal land holdings. That has
made it difficult for either the federal land agencies, or the School
and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, to manage them according
to their different objectives. Many of the State school trust lands
have valuable habitat, watershed, and scenic features that shouldn't be
commercially developed.
The Bureau of Land Management, meanwhile, owns land in other parts of
my State that are not as environmentally sensitive and could be
responsibly developed for the benefit of public schools.
This legislation proposes a land exchange--State school trust lands
for BLM lands--that consolidates acreage for ease of management by
federal land managers, increases the school trust fund balance, and
preserves sensitive land along the world-renowned Colorado River
corridor, using an equitable valuation.
Anyone who has rafted the Colorado River, or taken a mountain-biking
trip to Moab, understands why these lands need to be open to future
generations of Americans to enjoy. This legislation would transfer to
the BLM parcels of State land in Westwater Canyon, the nationally-
recognized Kokopelli and Slickrock trails, multiple wilderness study
areas, and some of the largest natural rock arches in the U.S.
This bill is the result of a truly collaborative process with all
stakeholders at the table. It is supported by the counties, by the
State of Utah, by the environmental and recreational communities and it
has evolved with the Department of the Interior's participation.
I would like to thank Congressman Cannon, all the stakeholders and
the Resources Committee for working over the past 2 years to develop
the bipartisan, consensus legislation that we have before us today.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to protect our
treasured public lands and at the same time support public education in
Utah.
Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2069, the
Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2006, which is also cosponsored
by Congressman Matheson and Congressman Bishop.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is the culmination of years of hard
work, compromise, and determination involving the Utah School and
Institutional Trust Lands Administration, the Counties, the
environmental community, the recreation community, the Department of
the Interior and of course the Resources Committee staff.
H.R. 2069 authorizes the exchange of approximately 45,000 acres of
Utah State school trust lands within and near Utah's Colorado River
corridor for approximately 40,000 acres of Federal lands in eastern
Utah. This is an equal value exchange that guarantees that the school
children of Utah will finally benefit from lands they own.
The Colorado River Corridor is a uniquely scenic area that includes
such treasures as the Corona and Morning Glory arches, the Westwater
wilderness study area, the Kokopelli and Slickrock trails, the
watershed for Castle Valley, the Sand Wash rafting site, and thousands
of other acres of red rock beauty. H.R. 2069 will transfer these lands,
which are owned by Utah's school children, to the Bureau of Land
Management.
Congress established Utah's school trust lands upon statehood for the
specific purpose of generating income for Utah's school system.
Therefore, in exchange for these beautiful areas, Utah's school
children will receive mineral development lands in eastern Utah to
provide a much needed revenue stream for the Utah school system.
H.R. 2069 is a balanced piece of legislation that will allow the
Bureau of Land Management to fulfill its management mandates along the
Colorado River as well as benefit Utah's school children. Revenue from
Utah school trust lands--whether from grazing, surface leasing, mineral
development or sale--will be placed in the State School Fund, which is
a permanent income-producing endowment for the support of Utah's public
education system.
H.R. 2069 is an equal value exchange that sets out a transparent and
fair appraisal process. Appraisals will be conducted by jointly
selected independent appraisers and pursuant to established law and
regulations. The Federal Government will retain its current interest in
the minerals conveyed to the State and those revenues will be utilized
to purchase lands in Utah in the future. The bill also includes public
notice provisions to insure that the public is aware of the status of
the exchange process.
Madam Speaker, as you are aware, Utah has a long history of working
hard to consolidate our school trust lands in a way that allows us to
fund our public education system. We are confident and hopeful that
H.R. 2069 acts as a blueprint for future exchanges so the people of
Utah can continue to receive the revenue they were promised upon
becoming a state.
I would like to take a moment to thank the staff that worked on this
bill. Personally, I would like to thank from the Committee on
Resources: Doug Crandall, Matt Miller and Todd Willens of Chairman
Pombo's staff, and Jim Zoia and Rick Healy of Mr. Rahall's staff; from
the Leader's office Anne Thorsen, Greg Maurer and Jay Cranford; and
from my staff Rachel Dresen for all their work on this legislation.
I urge my colleagues to support this exchange which is a win for
America's Federal lands and is a win for Utah's school system.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
Mr. PEARCE. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Foxx). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2069, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________