[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H3661-H3663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Y MOUNTAIN ACCESS ENHANCEMENT ACT
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 253) 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 253
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''.
[[Page H3662]]
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 the
approximately 80-acres of National Forest System land in the
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in the State of Utah
generally depicted as ``Proposed Conveyance Parcel'' on the
map titled `` `Y' Mountain Access Enhancement Act'' and dated
June 6, 2013. 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
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. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous materials 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. With that, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I am very proud of this particular bill, and I am happy to yield as
much time as he may consume to the author of this bill, the gentleman
from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz), with the understanding that he will explain
to you that Y Mountain is not the same thing as Yucca Mountain.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. The gentleman from Utah is very correct, this is very
different and not nearly as controversial, I assure you.
H.R. 253, the Y Mountain Access Enhancement Act, directs the
Department of Agriculture to sell 80 acres of U.S. Forest Service land
to Brigham Young University often referred to as BYU. This parcel of
land includes the block Y on Y Mountain, a major landmark in the Provo
area.
H.R. 253 requires BYU to pay fair market value for the land and
requires BYU to cover administrative and appraisal costs associated
with the sale. Proceeds of the land sale would be used to reduce the
deficit.
H.R. 253 guarantees public access to the block Y and the Y Mountain
trail after the sale. BYU has managed this parcel of land for 50 years
and has always allowed public access.
BYU actually owned the entire trail at one point many years ago. H.R.
253 would restore ownership to Brigham Young University, but BYU would
have to pay fair market value for the land.
Currently, one part of the trail is owned by BYU and the other is
owned by the U.S. Forest Service. Split ownership of the trail
complicates trail maintenance and long-term planning, which ultimately
puts public access at risk.
Restoring this land to BYU would provide long-term certainty by
removing any questions as to who owns the land and who is responsible
for maintaining the trail.
Hiking up the Y is a popular pastime in the Provo area, and H.R. 253
ensures that the trail will be maintained for future hikers.
{time} 1720
This bill was introduced in the 112th Congress as H.R. 4484 and
passed the House on voice vote. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on
this particular piece of legislation, and I appreciate the bipartisan
support and work on this piece.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 253 provides for conveyance of approximately 80
acres of Forest Service lands to Brigham Young University. We do not
object to this legislation.
At this time, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
253, the Y Mountain Access Enhancement Act. This legislation would
direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sell approximately 80
acres to the U.S. Forest Service land known for years by the residents
of the city of Provo, Utah, as ``Y Mountain'' to Brigham Young
University.
Located directly east of the BYU campus, the Y Mountain 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, which was built over 100
years ago. The ``Y,'' which is 380 feet high by 130 feet wide, is even
larger than the ``Hollywood'' sign in Hollywood, California, and serves
as an insignia for Brigham Young University.
As an alumnus of BYU, I, too, have come to know the ``Y'' as a symbol
of campus pride for the students, the alumni, and members of the
greater Provo community. Some of my colleagues are probably wondering
why did an island boy like me want to go to a place like Utah? I wanted
to experience what snow was like; and guess what, you can have all the
snow you want because I'm going back to the islands.
But I will say, Mr. Speaker, the ``Y'' is illuminated five times a
year, including freshman orientation, homecoming, graduations in April
and August, as well as ``Y Days,'' which celebrate BYU's week of
service activities. As a nationally recognized symbol of BYU, the Y
Mountain is also a featured shot in almost every BYU game broadcast on
national television.
BYU currently manages the U.S. Forest Service portion of the trail.
H.R. 253, however, proposes that the Federal Government sell Y Mountain
at fair market value to Brigham Young University. The bill also
guarantees that public access to the ``Y'' and the Y Mountain Trail be
maintained following the sale.
Mr. Speaker, it is my strong belief that permitting BYU to purchase
this property would result in better maintenance of the trail and
mountain. Given the immense source of pride in Y Mountain, BYU
ownership of the property would only result in improved maintenance,
cleanliness, safety, and access for the public. The transfer of
ownership would also allow Brigham Young University to preserve a
significant monument for future generations of students and members of
the community.
I want to especially thank my colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Chaffetz), for his sponsorship of the bill, who also happens to be an
alumnus of BYU, for introducing this legislation, and I do urge my
colleagues to vote in support of this bill.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Despite being a graduate of the University of
Utah and finding myself surrounded by BYU people here--it makes me
terribly uncomfortable--this is still a good bill. It is a win-win
situation and will provide the experience of those at BYU and the
[[Page H3663]]
area a much safer and pleasant experience on Y Mountain, and so I urge
my colleagues to vote for this bill.
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. 253, 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. SABLAN. 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 motion will be postponed.
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