[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 162 (Monday, December 17, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H6811-H6812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR NATURAL GAS PIPELINES IN GLACIER NATIONAL 
                                  PARK

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 4606) to authorize the issuance of right-of-way permits 
for natural gas pipelines in Glacier National Park, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4606

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PERMITS FOR EXISTING NATURAL GAS PIPELINES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior may issue 
     right-of-way permits for each natural gas pipeline (including 
     all appurtenances used in the operation of the natural gas 
     pipeline) that, as of March 1, 2012, is located within the 
     boundary of Glacier National Park.
       (b) Terms and Conditions.--A permit issued under subsection 
     (a) shall be--
       (1) issued as a right-of-way renewal, consistent with laws 
     (including regulations) generally applicable to utility 
     rights-of-way within units of the National Park System;
       (2) for a width of not more than 25 feet on either side of 
     the centerline of the natural gas pipeline; and
       (3) subject to any terms and conditions that the Secretary 
     of the Interior determines to be necessary.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. 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 Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Let me also as we begin this debate I would yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Montana whose bill this is that will talk 
about a power company decision that in 1962 was allowed and then in 
1990 the Park Service determined they couldn't do what they already had 
done and now it has to be fixed.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I would yield as much time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg).
  Mr. REHBERG. I thank the gentleman from Utah for very concisely 
summarizing just exactly what this bill does.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4606, which I have introduced. This 
commonsense legislation would permit the necessary safety maintenance 
of a natural gas pipeline that was constructed in 1962. Ordinary 
maintenance of the pipeline, which is the sole source of natural gas 
for nearly 25,000 residents in the Flathead Valley of Montana, is being 
prevented by red tape. About 3\1/2\ miles of this 118-mile pipeline 
follow U.S. Highway 2 through the southwestern border of Glacier 
National Park.
  The National Park Service is allowed to issue an easement over lands 
in the park for specific purposes, including electric transmission 
lines and communications services. But the specific uses listed do not 
include natural gas lines; so under current law, they can't allow 
maintenance.
  The law also authorizes the Federal Government to issue rights-of-way 
for natural gas lines--just not in national parks. And so this tiny 
stretch of existing pipeline, which is so critical to so many 
Montanans, finds itself between a legal rock and a bureaucratic hard 
place. Allowing maintenance of the existing pipeline is too important 
for further delay.
  Not only is the pipeline nestled in and around Glacier National Park; 
but it is also near the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, which is 
designated as a wild and scenic river and the Great Bear Wilderness 
Area. An accident due to a lack of maintenance would be devastating to 
the local ecosystem.
  Moving the line outside the park would require further harm to the 
surrounding environment, and it makes sense for the pipeline to use the 
existing roadbed for Highway 2 in order to minimize the economic 
impact.
  My legislation simply solves this government-made problem by allowing 
the National Park Service to allow maintenance on the pipeline. I urge 
my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4606 clarifies that the National Park 
Service may issue right-of-way permits for a natural gas pipeline in 
Glacier National Park. The pipeline already exists in the park, and the 
legislation

[[Page H6812]]

provides appropriate easements for access by Northwestern Energy.
  Senator Tester first introduced this legislation in March of this 
year. We do not object to this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I have only myself as the final 
speaker we have over here. I was wondering if there are any other 
speakers from the minority side.
  Mr. SABLAN. No, I don't, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, in closing on this, this is a piece 
of legislation that is just common sense and blindingly necessary. At 
risk, if it is not passed, are 25,000 people, citizens of Montana, who 
would be without this kind of natural gas service, as well as Glacier 
National Park that would be without this kind of service. It's 
something that needs to be done, it should have been done a long time 
ago, and it needs to be changed to allow the Park Service to be doing 
what it naturally should be doing. I urge all my colleagues to support 
this particular bill.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4606, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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