[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5845-S5846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN:
  S. 1139. A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into 
a property conveyance with the city of Wallowa, Oregon, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce two bills 
that will provide two important communities in rural Oregon with the 
means to promote their cultural history and their economic development 
opportunities, S. 1139 and S. 1140.
  Like anywhere in America, the leaders in rural communities in my 
state are working every day to build the best place they can. And in 
many rural communities in my state, that means not much happens without 
the Federal Government involved. Like many places in the Western United 
States, the Federal Government owns much of the land surrounding these 
small communities. To be sure, many of these lands are treasures; they 
are the source of a vibrant tourism economy; an attraction for 
individuals and businesses to move to the region; and the daily outlet 
for the people lucky enough to live there.
  By the same token, this high percentage of Federal land ownership 
sometimes limits the ability of local governments and civic leaders to 
solve problems and serve the public. The Federal Government can and 
should be an active partner in advancing communities and improving a 
region's quality of life.
  So today I am introducing legislation that demonstrates the 
possibilities that can come from a quality Federal Government 
partnership with a proactive, innovative community that faces 
challenging economic conditions and a dominant pattern of Federal land 
ownership.
  My first bill, the La Pine Land Conveyance Act, would convey two 
parcels of property to Deschutes County, Oregon. The bill directs the 
transfer of Bureau of Land Management BLM, lands to Deschutes County, 
that will enable the small town of La Pine to develop rodeo and 
equestrian facilities, public parks, and other recreation facilities.
  La Pine has a set of unique challenges well known to the people of 
Deschutes County. The town recently incorporated, and with 
incorporation has come a feeling in the community that good things can 
happen if they work together to make their town as good as it can 
possibly be.
  My bill proposes the transfer of 320 acres of BLM land contiguous to 
the La Pine city limit, on its western boundary. Ownership of this 
location will enable construction of public equestrian and rodeo 
facilities that have become increasingly important in La Pine. The 
property is within reasonable walking distance of downtown, creating an 
ideal parade route for the annual 4th of July Frontier Days parade. In 
addition, the land will provide a location for development of ball 
fields, parks, and recreation facilities, which can be developed as the 
town grows and budgets allow.
  The La Pine Rodeo and Frontier Days events are currently facing the 
last year they can hold their events on the currently utilized location 
because that private property is being developed for other uses. So 
looking towards the Federal Government, who controls the vast majority 
of land in the La Pine area, to find a solution provides the right kind 
of partnership between the federal and local government.
  My bill also directs the transfer of approximately 750 acres of BLM 
lands to Deschutes County for the purpose of expanding the town's 
wastewater treatment operation.
  More than two years ago my office participated in discussions between 
the La Pine community leaders and the BLM concerning the La Pine 
community's need for land to serve public purposes. Due to staffing 
limitations, BLM asked the City to choose one top priority for a land 
transfer under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The La Pine City 
Council responded immediately that its top priority was

[[Page S5846]]

the acquisition of land to enable expansion of their sewer district.
  To date, the land has not been transferred, which make this small 
community unable to be competitive for state and federal economic 
stimulus funds.
  This project is too important to let languish. Perhaps the most 
important issue affecting water quality in Deschutes County involves 
the threat to groundwater and the Deschutes River from household septic 
systems in southern Deschutes County, the region around La Pine. This 
project directly reduces nitrate loading into south county groundwater 
in two ways. First, by enabling expansion of the District service 
boundary to residential areas where septic systems are generating 
elevated groundwater nitrate levels; and second, by closing the current 
location for spreading treated effluent, over a relatively high 
groundwater area, to this new location which is judged not to threaten 
groundwater. That is why I am introducing legislation today to make 
sure this transfer moves forward.
  My second bill, the Wallowa Forest Service Compound Conveyance Act 
would convey an old Forest Service Ranger Station compound to the City 
of Wallowa, Oregon. In Wallowa County, this Forest Service compound was 
built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. For many years 
it was the center of town and this site continues to represent the 
natural and cultural history of one of eastern Oregon's most beautiful 
communities. The City of Wallowa, along with County Commissioners, the 
local arts organizations, and a broad group of community leaders intend 
to restore this important example of Pacific Northwest rustic 
architecture and tribute to bygone times, making a valuable community 
interpretive center at this site. The conveyance of this property will 
allow the community to move forward with this project. The community is 
currently working to list the Ranger Station on the National Register 
of Historic Places, and ownership by the City will allow this coalition 
to restore the buildings and again develop a vibrant community center. 
Oregon Public Broadcasting aired a segment depicting an early 20th 
century railroad logging community--a significant part of the rich and 
diverse history and traditions that will be preserved and celebrated as 
this Forest Service Compound is developed as an interpretive center.
  I want to express my thanks to all the citizens and community leaders 
that have worked to build their communities and develop these projects. 
They represent the pioneering spirit and vision that defines my State.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1139

       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 ``Wallowa Forest Service 
     Compound Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE TO CITY OF WALLOWA, OREGON.

       (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Wallowa, 
     Oregon.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (3) Wallowa forest service compound.--The term ``Wallowa 
     Forest Service Compound'' means the Wallowa Ranger Station 
     that is--
       (A) located at 602 West First Street, Wallowa, Oregon; and
       (B) under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
       (b) Duty of Secretary.--As soon as practicable after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, subject to valid existing 
     rights, the Secretary shall convey to the City, without 
     consideration and by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States, except as provided in 
     subsections (c) and (d), in and to the Wallowa Forest Service 
     Compound.
       (c) Use of Wallowa Forest Service Compound.--As a condition 
     of the conveyance under subsection (b), the City shall--
       (1) use the Wallowa Forest Service Compound as an 
     interpretive center;
       (2) ensure that the Wallowa Forest Service Compound is 
     managed by a nonprofit entity; and
       (3) agree to manage the Wallowa Forest Service Compound--
       (A) with due consideration and protection for the historic 
     values of the Wallowa Forest Service Compound; and
       (B) in accordance with such terms and conditions as are 
     agreed to by the Secretary and the City.
       (d) Reversion.--In the quitclaim deed to the City, the 
     Secretary shall provide that the Wallowa Forest Service 
     Compound shall revert to the Secretary, at the election of 
     the Secretary, if the Wallowa Forest Service Compound is--
       (1) used for a purpose other than the purposes described in 
     subsection (c)(1); or
       (2) managed by the City in a manner that is inconsistent 
     with subsection(c)(3).
                                 ______