[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 110 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5085-H5086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   Y MOUNTAIN ACCESS ENHANCEMENT ACT

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 4484) to provide for the conveyance of a small 
parcel of National Forest System land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache 
National Forest in Utah to Brigham Young University, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4484

       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 ``Y Mountain Access 
     Enhancement Act''.

     SEC. 2. LAND CONVEYANCE, UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST, 
                   UTAH.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--On the request of Brigham Young 
     University submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture not 
     later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary shall convey, not later than one year 
     after receiving the request, to Brigham Young University all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to an 
     approximately 80-acre parcel of National Forest System land 
     in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in the State of 
     Utah consisting of the SE\1/4\SE\1/4\ of Section 32, T. 6 S., 
     R. 3 E., and Lot 4 of Section 5, T. 7 S., R. 3 E., Salt Lake 
     Base & Meridian. The conveyance shall be subject to valid 
     existing rights and shall be made by quitclaim deed.
       (b) Consideration.--
       (1) Consideration required.--As consideration for the land 
     conveyed under subsection (a), Brigham Young University shall 
     pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the fair market value 
     of the land, as determined by an appraisal approved by the 
     Secretary and conducted in conformity with the Uniform 
     Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and section 
     206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
     U.S.C. 1716).
       (2) Deposit.--The consideration received by the Secretary 
     under paragraph (1) shall be deposited in the general fund of 
     the Treasury to reduce the Federal deficit.
       (c) Guaranteed Public Access to Y Mountain Trail.--After 
     the conveyance under subsection (a), Brigham Young University 
     represents that it will--
       (1) continue to allow the same reasonable public access to 
     the trailhead and portion of the Y Mountain Trail already 
     owned by Brigham Young University as of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act that Brigham Young University has 
     historically allowed; and
       (2) allow that same reasonable public access to the portion 
     of the Y Mountain Trail and the ``Y'' symbol located on the 
     land described in subsection (a).
       (d) Survey and Administrative Costs.--The exact acreage and 
     legal description of the land to be conveyed under subsection 
     (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
     Secretary. Brigham Young University shall pay the reasonable 
     costs of survey, appraisal, and any administrative analyses 
     required by law.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Hastings) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana 
Islands (Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. 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 Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is authored by our colleague from Utah (Mr. 
Chaffetz). H.R. 4484 authorizes the Forest Service to convey 80 acres, 
known as Y Mountain, to Brigham Young University.

                              {time}  1540

  Y Mountain is the location of the renowned white block ``Y'' in 
Provo, overlooking the Utah Valley and the BYU campus. The Y was 
constructed in 1906 and has been a celebrated part of the Utah 
landscape ever since.
  Currently, BYU owns and maintains the trailhead and much of the trail 
leading up to the 380-foot tall by 130-foot wide landmark. The 
remaining property is owned by the Forest Service but it is used by the 
university under a permit which has typically been renewed every 10 
years.
  With this legislation, the university will guarantee its ability to 
maintain the Y and surrounding grounds without the risk of losing the 
right through the permitting process.
  Finally, the legislation requires that BYU pay fair market value and 
continue to allow public access to the Y as it has done for decades.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4484 provides for the conveyance of 
approximately 80 acres of Forest Service lands to Brigham Young 
University. We do not object to this legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 
minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz), the author of this 
legislation.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce this piece of 
legislation. It's common sense. I think it's something that should be 
widely accepted.
  I also appreciate the bipartisan nature in which we introduce this 
bill. Mr. Faleomavaega was important to this, Mr. Flake and Mr. McKeon, 
and I appreciate the bipartisan nature in which we introduced this 
bill.
  As you go into Utah County, up on the eastern side of the valley 
there, there's this big Y representing Brigham Young University. It's a 
mainstay in our community and something that we're all proud of. It's 
also something that is easily accessible to hikers. Year-round, people 
will hike up this trail as they pass up and go up to enjoy a day up on 
the side of the mountain.
  And really, in an effort to make sure that this is properly 
maintained, there's continuity of maintenance. This really does make 
sense. It's interesting, because that portion, that 80 acres that we 
talk about today was once owned by Brigham Young University, and that 
was then transferred into a trust and, over the course of time, many 
decades ago it was actually transferred to the Forest Service. And so, 
now, to actually sell it back, have that money deposited back into the 
Treasury to help reduce our deficit, Brigham Young University paying 
fair market value for that, makes sense in terms of keeping the 
continuity in place, making sure that the trail is well-maintained, 
that it's clean. It's something that people in Utah and other people 
coming to our State like to enjoy on a regular basis.
  So the bill would restore ownership to Brigham Young University, 
provide long-term certainty by removing any questions about who owns 
the land and who is responsible for maintaining the trail, and I look 
forward to the passage of this.
  It's important to our community, and I think a good win-win for the 
Federal Government as well as the residents there, particularly in Utah 
County.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from American Samoa 
(Mr. Faleomavaega) as much time as he may consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished 
chairman of our committee, Doc Hastings, and our ranking member, Mr. 
Markey, for their leadership in support of this proposed legislation.
  I especially want to thank my good friend and colleague, the chief 
sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz).
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of H.R. 4484, the Y Mountain 
Access

[[Page H5086]]

Enhancement Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
to sell 80 acres of U.S. Forest Service land of an area known for years 
by the residents of Provo, Utah, as the ``Y Mountain'' to Brigham Young 
University.
  Y Mountain, which is located directly east of the BYU campus, 
includes a trail that leads 1.2 miles from the mountain's base up to a 
large white concrete Y on the mountain's hillside that was built over 
100 years ago. The Y, which is 380 feet high by 130 feet wide, is even 
larger than Los Angeles' famous Hollywood sign and serves as an 
insignia for Brigham Young University.
  Mr. Speaker, I am a proud alumnus of Brigham Young University. The Y 
has always been a symbol of pride for us, the alumni, the faculty, the 
student body, and the Provo community. It reminds us of what BYU 
students and alumni strive for and continue to advocate for future 
generations: ``Enter to learn, and go forth to serve.''
  The Y is illuminated five times a year, including at freshman 
orientation, homecoming, graduations in April and August, as well as Y 
Days, which celebrate BYU's week of service activities, dating back to 
the school's tradition of whitewashing the Y. It is a nationally 
recognized symbol of BYU sports, especially its football tradition.
  BYU's athletic program is essentially important for all Pacific 
Islanders who have been given the opportunity, through athletic 
scholarships, to further their education here in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, BYU once owned the entire area surrounding the Y and the 
Y Mountain Trail, and the university also currently manages the U.S. 
Forest Service portion of the trail.
  H.R. 4484, however, proposes that the Federal Government sell the Y 
Mountain at fair market value to BYU, and mandates that proceeds of the 
sale be used to reduce the Federal budget deficit. The bill also 
guarantees that public access to the Y and the Y Mountain Trail be 
maintained following the sale.
  It is my strong belief, Mr. Speaker, that permitting BYU to purchase 
this property would result in better maintenance of the trail and 
mountain. Given the immense source of pride in the Y Mountain, BYU 
ownership of the property would only result in improved maintenance, 
cleanliness, safety, and access for the public. Transfer of ownership 
would also allow the university to preserve a significant monument for 
future generations of students and members of the community.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleagues and especially the 
gentleman from Utah, as the chief sponsor of this legislation. I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I'd advise my friend from 
the Northern Mariana Islands that I have no more requests for time, and 
I'm prepared to close if he is.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, this is again, a good piece 
of legislation. I urge its adoption.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4484, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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