[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 16 (Thursday, February 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 270. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
certain Federal land to Deschutes County, Oregon; 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. These are bills that I introduced in the last Congress 
and were reported out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 
but were unfortunately not passed in the Senate. I am pleased to be 
joined by Senator Merkley in this effort.
  These bills both are intended to help leaders in rural communities in 
my State continue to grow their economies and make the most of the 
abundant resources surrounding their communities. As in many rural 
communities in my State and in many places in the Western United 
States, not much happens without the Federal Government's involvement. 
In fact, the Federal Government owns much of the land surrounding these 
small communities. While many of these lands are treasures, this high 
percentage of Federal land ownership sometimes limits the ability of 
local governments and civic leaders to solve problems and serve the 
public. I firmly believe the Federal Government can and should be an 
active partner in strengthening communities and improving a region's 
quality of life.
  That is why I am re-introducing these two pieces of legislation 
today. These bills--both passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee in the last Congress with minor modifications--
demonstrate the possibilities that can come when the Federal Government 
partners with proactive, innovative communities to tackle challenging 
economic conditions and the pattern of Federal land ownership.
  My first bill, the La Pine Land Conveyance Act, would convey two 
parcels of property to Deschutes County, Oregon and a third parcel to 
the City of La Pine. The bill directs the transfer of Bureau of Land 
Management, BLM, lands to Deschutes County and the City of La Pine to 
enable the small town of La Pine to develop rodeo and equestrian 
facilities, expand a sewage treatment site, and develop the library or 
other public facilities.
  La Pine has a set of unique challenges but the town's incorporation 
has brought 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 150 acres of BLM land contiguous to 
the La Pine city limit to enable construction of public equestrian and 
rodeo facilities that have become increasingly important in La Pine. 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.
  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. For several years this has been the 
City's top priority for a land transfer under the Recreation and Public 
Purposes Act. Although the BLM began an administrative transfer it was 
not completed, limiting this small community's ability 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.
  The third parcel that would be transferred under this legislation 
would convey approximately 10 acres to the City of La Pine. This is a 
parcel right in the heart of downtown La Pine. The City is exploring 
its use for expansion of library space or using it as an open space.
  My second bill, S. 271, the Wallowa Forest Service Compound 
Conveyance Act would convey an old Forest Service Ranger Station 
compound to the City of Wallowa, OR. 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 worked hard 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 
who have worked to build their communities and develop these projects. 
They represent the pioneering spirit and vision that defines my State.
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