[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 119 (Monday, July 27, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H5475-H5478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND JERRY PEAK WILDERNESS ADDITIONS
ACT
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1138) to establish certain wilderness areas in central Idaho
and to authorize various land conveyances involving National Forest
System land and Bureau of Land Management land in central Idaho, and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1138
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Sawtooth
National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions
Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--WILDERNESS DESIGNATIONS
Sec. 101. Additions to National Wilderness Preservation System in the
State of Idaho.
Sec. 102. Administration.
Sec. 103. Water rights.
Sec. 104. Military overflights.
Sec. 105. Adjacent management.
Sec. 106. Native American cultural and religious uses.
Sec. 107. Acquisition of land and interests in land.
Sec. 108. Wilderness review.
TITLE II--LAND CONVEYANCES FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Blaine County, Idaho.
Sec. 203. Custer County, Idaho.
Sec. 204. City of Challis, Idaho.
Sec. 205. City of Clayton, Idaho.
Sec. 206. City of Stanley, Idaho.
Sec. 207. Terms and conditions of permits or land conveyances.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land
administered by the Forest Service; or
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to land
administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
(2) Wilderness area.--The term ``wilderness area'' means
any of the areas designated as a component of the National
Wilderness Preservation System by section 101.
TITLE I--WILDERNESS DESIGNATIONS
SEC. 101. ADDITIONS TO NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION
SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.
(a) Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain Federal
lands in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests in the
State of Idaho, comprising approximately 67,998 acres, as
generally depicted on the map entitled ``Hemingway/Boulders
Wilderness Area-Proposed'' and dated February 25, 2015, are
designated as wilderness and as a component of the National
Wilderness Preservation System, which shall be known as the
``Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness''.
(b) White Clouds Wilderness.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain Federal
lands in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests in the
State of Idaho, comprising approximately 90,769 acres, as
generally depicted on the map entitled ``White Clouds
Wilderness Area-Proposed'' and dated March 13, 2014, are
designated as wilderness and as a component of the National
Wilderness Preservation System, which shall be known as the
``White Clouds Wilderness''.
(c) Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness.--In accordance with
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain Federal
lands in the Challis National Forest and Challis District of
the Bureau of Land Management in the State of Idaho,
comprising approximately 116,898 acres, as generally depicted
on the map entitled ``Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness'' and
dated February 21, 2015, are designated as wilderness and as
a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System,
which shall be known as the ``Jim McClure-Jerry Peak
Wilderness''.
(d) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a map and legal description for each
wilderness area.
(2) Effect.--Each map and legal description submitted under
paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
minor errors in the map or legal description.
(3) Availability.--Each map and legal description submitted
under paragraph (1) shall be available in the appropriate
offices of the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land
Management.
SEC. 102. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to valid existing rights, each
wilderness area shall be administered by the Secretary in
accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.),
except that--
(1) any reference in that Act to the effective date shall
be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of
this Act; and
(2) with respect to wilderness areas that are administered
by the Secretary of the Interior, any reference in the
Wilderness Act to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be
considered to be a reference to the Secretary of the
Interior.
(b) Consistent Interpretation.--The Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall seek to
ensure that the wilderness areas are interpreted for the
public as an overall complex linked by--
(1) common location in the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains;
and
(2) common identity with the natural and cultural history
of the State of Idaho and the Native American and pioneer
heritage of the State.
(c) Comprehensive Wilderness Management Plan.--Not later
than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior
shall collaboratively develop wilderness management plans for
the wilderness areas.
(d) Fire, Insects, and Disease.--Within the wilderness
areas, the Secretary may take such measures as the Secretary
determines to be necessary for the control of fire, insects,
and disease in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131(d)(1)).
(e) Livestock.--
(1) In general.--Within the wilderness areas, the grazing
of livestock in which grazing is established before the date
of enactment of this Act shall be allowed to continue,
subject to such reasonable regulations, policies, and
practices as the Secretary determines to be necessary, in
accordance with--
(A) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131(d)(4));
(B) with respect to wilderness areas administered by the
Secretary of Agriculture, the guidelines described in House
Report 96-617 of the 96th Congress; and
(C) with respect to wilderness areas administered by the
Secretary of the Interior, the guidelines described in
appendix A of House Report 101-405 of the 101st Congress.
(2) Donation of grazing permits and leases.--
(A) Acceptance by secretary.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall accept the donation of
any valid existing leases or permits authorizing grazing on
public land or National Forest System land, all or a portion
of which are within the area depicted as the ``Boulder White
Clouds Grazing Area'' on the map entitled ``Boulder White
Clouds Grazing Area Map'' and dated January 27, 2010.
(ii) Partial donation.--A person holding a valid grazing
permit or lease for a grazing allotment partially within the
area described in clause (i) may elect to donate only the
portion of the grazing permit or lease that is within the
area.
(B) Termination.--With respect to each permit or lease
donated under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
(i) terminate the grazing permit or lease or portion of the
permit or lease; and
(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (C), ensure a
permanent end to grazing on the land covered by the permit or
lease or portion of the permit or lease.
(C) Common allotments.--
(i) In general.--If the land covered by a permit or lease
donated under subparagraph (A) is also covered by another
valid grazing permit or lease that is not donated, the
Secretary shall reduce the authorized level on the land
covered by the permit or lease to reflect the donation of the
permit or lease under subparagraph (A).
(ii) Authorized level.--To ensure that there is a permanent
reduction in the level of grazing on the land covered by the
permit or lease donated under subparagraph (A), the
[[Page H5476]]
Secretary shall not allow grazing use to exceed the
authorized level established under clause (i).
(D) Partial donation.--If a person holding a valid grazing
permit or lease donates less than the full amount of grazing
use authorized under the permit or lease, the Secretary
shall--
(i) reduce the authorized grazing level to reflect the
donation; and
(ii) modify the permit or lease to reflect the revised
level or area of use.
(f) Outfitting and Guide Activities.--In accordance with
section 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)),
commercial services (including authorized outfitting and
guide activities) within the wilderness areas are authorized
to the extent necessary for activities which are proper for
realizing the recreational or other wilderness purposes of
the wilderness areas.
(g) Fish and Wildlife.--Nothing in this title affects the
jurisdiction of the State of Idaho with respect to the
management of fish and wildlife on public land in the State,
including the regulation of hunting, fishing, and trapping
within the wilderness areas.
(h) Access.--In accordance with section 5(a) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1134(a)), the Secretary shall
provide the owner of State or private property within the
boundary of a wilderness area adequate access to the
property.
SEC. 103. WATER RIGHTS.
(a) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this title--
(1) shall constitute either an express or implied
reservation by the United States of any water rights with
respect to the wilderness areas designated by section 101;
(2) affects any water rights--
(A) in the State of Idaho existing on the date of enactment
of this Act, including any water rights held by the United
States; or
(B) decreed in the Snake River Basin Adjudication,
including any stipulation approved by the court in such
adjudication between the United States and the State of Idaho
with respect to such water rights; or
(3)(A) establishes a precedent with regard to any future
wilderness designations; or
(B) limits, alters, modifies, or amends section 9 of the
Sawtooth National Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460aa-8).
(b) New Projects.--
(1) Prohibition.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act,
on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, neither
the President nor any other officer, employee, or agent of
the United States shall fund, assist, authorize, or issue a
license or permit for the development of any new water
resource facility inside any of the wilderness areas
designated by section 101.
(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``water
resource facility'' means irrigation and pumping facilities,
reservoirs, water conservation works, aqueducts, canals,
ditches, pipelines, wells, hydropower projects, and
transmission and other ancillary facilities, and other water
diversion, storage, and carriage structures.
SEC. 104. MILITARY OVERFLIGHTS.
Nothing in this title restricts or precludes--
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over the
wilderness areas, including military overflights that can be
seen or heard within the wilderness areas;
(2) flight testing and evaluation; or
(3) the designation or creation of new units of special use
airspace, or the establishment of military flight training
routes, over the wilderness areas.
SEC. 105. ADJACENT MANAGEMENT.
(a) In General.--Nothing in this title creates a protective
perimeter or buffer zone around a wilderness area.
(b) Activities Outside Wilderness Area.--The fact that an
activity or use on land outside a wilderness area can be seen
or heard within the wilderness area shall not preclude the
activity or use outside the boundary of the wilderness area.
SEC. 106. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS USES.
Nothing in this title diminishes the treaty rights of any
Indian tribe.
SEC. 107. ACQUISITION OF LAND AND INTERESTS IN LAND.
(a) Acquisition.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire any land or
interest in land within the boundaries of the wilderness
areas by donation, exchange, or purchase from a willing
seller.
(2) Land exchange.--Not later than 3 years after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to
complete an exchange for State land located within the
boundaries of the wilderness areas designated by this title.
(b) Incorporation in Wilderness Area.--Any land or interest
in land located inside the boundary of a wilderness area that
is acquired by the United States after the date of enactment
of this Act shall be added to, and administered as part of
the, wilderness area.
SEC. 108. WILDERNESS REVIEW.
(a) National Forest System Land.--Section 5 of Public Law
92-400 (16 U.S.C. 460aa-4) is repealed.
(b) Public Land.--
(1) Finding.--Congress finds that, for purposes of section
603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1782), the public land administered by the Bureau of
Land Management in the following wilderness study areas have
been adequately studied for wilderness designation:
(A) Jerry Peak Wilderness Study Area.
(B) Jerry Peak West Wilderness Study Area.
(C) Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area.
(D) Boulder Creek Wilderness Study Area.
(2) Release.--Any public land within the areas described in
paragraph (1) that is not designated as wilderness by this
title--
(A) shall not be subject to section 603(c) of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c));
and
(B) shall be managed in accordance with land management
plans adopted under section 202 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 1712).
TITLE II--LAND CONVEYANCES FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Central Idaho Economic
Development and Recreation Act''.
SEC. 202. BLAINE COUNTY, IDAHO.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall issue a special use
permit or convey to Blaine County, Idaho, without
consideration, not to exceed one acre of land for use as a
school bus turnaround, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Blaine County Conveyance--Eagle Creek Parcel--
Proposed'' and dated October 1, 2006.
SEC. 203. CUSTER COUNTY, IDAHO.
(a) Park and Campground.--The Secretary of the Interior
shall convey to Custer County, Idaho (in this section
referred to as the ``County''), without consideration,
approximately 114 acres of land depicted as ``Parcel A'' on
the map entitled ``Custer County and City of Mackay
Conveyances'' and dated April 6, 2010, for use as a public
park and campground, consistent with uses allowed under the
Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the Recreation and
Public Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
(b) Fire Hall.--The Secretary of the Interior shall convey
to the County, without consideration, approximately 10 acres
of land depicted as ``Parcel B'' on the map entitled ``Custer
County and City of Mackay Conveyances'' and dated April 6,
2010, for use as a fire hall, consistent with uses allowed
under the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the
Recreation and Public Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
(c) Waste Transfer Site.--The Secretary of the Interior
shall convey to the County, without consideration,
approximately 80 acres of land depicted as ``Parcel C'' on
the map entitled ``Custer County and City of Mackay
Conveyances'' and dated April 6, 2010, to be used for a waste
transfer site, consistent with uses allowed under the Act of
June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the Recreation and Public
Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
(d) Forest Service Road.--
(1) Conveyance.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall convey
to the County, without consideration, the Forest Service road
that passes through the parcel of National Forest System land
to be conveyed to the City of Stanley, Idaho, under section
206 from the junction of the road with Highway 75 to the
junction with Valley Creek Road at the City of Stanley
boundary.
(2) Relocation.--The conveyance under paragraph (1) is
subject to the condition that the County agree to relocate
the portion of the road that passes through the section 206
conveyance parcel to the southeast along the boundary of the
conveyance parcel.
SEC. 204. CITY OF CHALLIS, IDAHO.
The Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the City of
Challis, Idaho, without consideration, approximately 460
acres of land within the area generally depicted as ``Parcel
B'' on the map entitled ``Custer County and City of Challis
Conveyances'' and dated February 2, 2010, to be used for
public purposes consistent with uses allowed under the Act of
June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the Recreation and Public
Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
SEC. 205. CITY OF CLAYTON, IDAHO.
(a) Cemetery.--The Secretary of the Interior shall convey
to the City of Clayton, Idaho (in this section referred to as
the ``City''), without consideration, approximately 23 acres
of land depicted as ``Parcel A'' on the map entitled ``City
of Clayton Conveyances'' and dated April 6, 2010, for use as
a public cemetery.
(b) Park.--The Secretary of the Interior shall convey to
the City, without consideration, approximately two acres of
land depicted as ``Parcel B'' on the map entitled ``City of
Clayton Conveyances'' and dated April 6, 2010, for use as a
public park or other public purpose consistent with uses
allowed under the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the
Recreation and Public Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
(c) Water Tower.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
convey to the City, without consideration, approximately two
acres of land depicted as ``Parcel C'' on the map entitled
``City of Clayton Conveyances'' and dated April 6, 2010, for
location of a water tower, consistent with uses allowed under
the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the Recreation
and Public Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
(d) Wastewater Treatment Facility.--The Secretary of the
Interior shall convey to the City, without consideration,
approximately six acres of land depicted as ``Parcel D'' on
the map entitled ``City of Clayton Conveyances'' and dated
April 6, 2010 (including any necessary access right-of-way
across the river), for use as a wastewater treatment
facility, consistent with uses allowed under the Act of June
14, 1926 (commonly known as the Recreation and Public
Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
[[Page H5477]]
(e) Fire Hall.--The Secretary of the Interior shall convey
to the City, without consideration, approximately two acres
of land depicted as ``Parcel E'' on the map entitled ``City
of Clayton Conveyances'' and dated April 6, 2010, for use as
a fire hall and related purposes, consistent with uses
allowed under the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the
Recreation and Public Purposes Act; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).
SEC. 206. CITY OF STANLEY, IDAHO.
(a) Workforce Housing.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
convey to the City of Stanley, Idaho (in this section
referred to as the ``City''), without consideration, a parcel
of National Forest System land within the Sawtooth National
Recreation Area, but outside the area managed by the Sawtooth
Interpretative and Historical Association under special use
permit with the Secretary, that consists of approximately
four acres as indicated on the map entitled ``Custer County
and City of Stanley Conveyance Parcel-Proposed'' and dated
February 24, 2015, for the purpose of permitting the City to
develop the parcel to provide workforce housing for persons
employed in the City or its environs.
(b) Number and Construction of Housing.--The City will
construct up to 20 apartment units on the parcel conveyed
under subsection (a). The actual design and configuration of
the apartment units will be determined by the City in
consultation with the Secretary and other interested parties,
except that units may not exceed two stories and must be
located near or against the hillside to blend in with the
terrain.
(c) Recreation Area Private Land Use Regulations.--The
private land use regulations of the Sawtooth National
Recreation Area shall not apply to the parcel conveyed under
subsection (a), including with regard to the number and type
of apartments units to be constructed on the parcel.
(d) Removal of Existing Structure.--The Secretary shall be
responsible for the removal of the barn located, as of the
date of the enactment of this Act, on the parcel to be
conveyed under subsection (a). The Secretary may remove the
barn either before the conveyance of the parcel or at such
later date as the City may request.
(e) Relation to Required Reversionary Interest.--Consistent
with the reversionary interest required by section 207(b),
the City may contract for the development and management of
the apartment units constructed on the parcel conveyed under
subsection (a) so long as the City retains ownership of the
parcel in perpetuity.
SEC. 207. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERMITS OR LAND
CONVEYANCES.
(a) Terms and Conditions.--The issuance of a special use
permit or the conveyance of land under this title shall be
subject to any terms and conditions that the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(b) Reversionary Interest.--If any parcel of land conveyed
under this title ceases to be used for the public purpose for
which the parcel was conveyed, the parcel shall, at the
discretion of the Secretary, based on a determination that
reversion is in the best interests of the United States,
revert to the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms.
Bordallo) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from American Samoa.
General Leave
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, 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
gentlewoman from American Samoa?
There was no objection.
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 1138, introduced by my good friend, Congressman Michael Simpson
of Idaho, would establish new recreation and wilderness areas and
release 154,000 acres of wilderness study areas back to multiple use in
central Idaho.
This area, which is predominantly Bureau of Land Management and U.S.
Forest Service land, is home to world-class scenery and attracts
thousands of outdoor recreationists, including snowmobilers, hunters,
backpackers, hikers, mountain bikers, outfitters, and campers. The bill
also conveys several Federal parcels to local counties and cities to be
used for a variety of municipal purposes.
Congressman Simpson has worked tirelessly on this issue for the last
decade. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1138.
I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, June 9, 2015.
Hon. Bill Shuster,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: On April 30, 2015, the Committee on
Natural Resources ordered favorably reported without
amendment H.R. 774, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, by unanimous consent. The
bill was referred primarily to the Committee on Natural
Resources, with an additional referral to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
I ask that you allow the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure to be discharged from further consideration of
the bill so that it may be scheduled by the Majority Leader.
This discharge in no way affects your jurisdiction over the
subject matter of the bill, and it will not serve as
precedent for future referrals. I understand that our staffs
have worked out some additional language that affects
provisions in your jurisdiction for the Floor, and I pledge
to incorporate this language when we get to that point in the
process. In addition, should a conference on the bill be
necessary, I would support having the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure represented on the
conference committee. Finally, I would be pleased to include
this letter and any response in the bill report filed by the
Committee on Natural Resources to memorialize our
understanding.
Thank you for your consideration of my request, and for
your continued strong cooperation between our committees.
Sincerely,
Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.
____
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of
Representatives,
Washington, DC, June 19, 2015.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R.
774, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing
Enforcement Act of 2015, as ordered reported by the Committee
on Natural Resources on April 30, 2015. I appreciate your
inclusion of changes requested by the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure as this bill moves forward.
I agree to allow the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure to be discharged from consideration of H.R.
774 with the understanding that this discharge does not
affect the Committee's jurisdiction over the subject matter
of the bill, and does not serve as precedent for future
referrals. In addition, I expect the negotiated text to be
the text considered on the floor. Finally, as stated in your
letter, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I fully
expect the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to
be represented on the conference committee.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter and for
agreeing to include a copy of this letter in the bill report
filed by the Committee on Natural Resources, as well as in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Bill Shuster,
Chairman.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1138. This bill adds
over 275,000 acres of wilderness to the Sawtooth National Recreational
Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness in Idaho's Boulder-White Cloud
Mountains.
The Boulder-White Clouds region in central Idaho is the largest
contiguous roadless area in the 48 States, and it deserves the
permanent protection provided by this bill. The region contains over
150 mountains that are over 10,000 feet and provides critical habitat
for numerous fish and wildlife species. It is also a popular recreation
destination that attracts people who hunt, fish, ski, and hike along
the pristine shores of the alpine lakes and the ridges of the rugged
mountains.
This bill will leave a lasting legacy of conservation, and I applaud
my colleague from Idaho for all of his work and determination. Mr.
Speaker, I also thank the committee for their work on this bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) the author of the bill.
Mr. SIMPSON. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Leader McCarthy and Chairman Bishop for
bringing H.R. 1138 to the floor today, which we refer to as SNRA+. I
also want to thank Ranking Member Grijalva of the full committee,
Chairman McClintock of the subcommittee, and Ranking Member Tsongas of
the subcommittee.
[[Page H5478]]
In 2005, we had the first congressional hearing on the Boulder-White
Clouds on what then was a bill called CIEDRA. CIEDRA was a complicated
60-page bill that tried to do a lot of things for a lot of different
people.
Today, we have a simplified 20-page bill we call SNRA+ that brings
management certainty--and that is an important aspect--to the Boulder-
White Clouds. It does this by making the determination about which
parts of the current wilderness study area will in fact become
wilderness and which parts will be released for multiple use.
There will be three new wilderness areas totaling 275,665 acres:
Hemmingway-Boulders Wilderness, with 67,998 acres; White Clouds
Wilderness, with 90,769 acres; and in honor of the late Senator Jim
McClure, we have the James A. McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness, with
116,898 acres. The bill also releases wilderness study areas back to
multiple use, totaling 153,883 acres.
So this not only makes the determination of what is going to be
wilderness, it releases the other wilderness study areas for multiple
use.
It is important to note in this bill that we do not close any
motorized roads or trails in this bill. Ranchers with allotments on the
SNRA would be allowed to voluntarily retire their grazing permits and
be eligible for compensation from a third party. Any retired grazing
permits would be permanently closed.
There is a provision that nothing in the bill affects the
jurisdiction of the State of Idaho with respect to the management of
fish and wildlife on public land in the State, including the regulation
of hunting, fishing, and trapping within the wilderness areas.
Individual parcels of land will be conveyed to Custer and Blaine
Counties and rural communities for public purposes, including workforce
housing, cemeteries, water towers, and waste transfer sites.
As part of this process, grants have been provided to the SNRA for
trail maintenance and improvements, including maintenance and
improvements of existing motorized trails and two existing trials to
provide primitive wheelchair access and for acquiring the land to build
a mechanized bike/snowmobile access trail between Redfish Lake and
Stanley.
Mr. Speaker, this bill meets the needs of today's users and resolves
longstanding debates over the management of the Boulder-White Clouds.
It will end the discussion of monuments and wilderness in the Boulder-
White Clouds, and secures the future for generations of Idahoans who
want to continue using and enjoying our beautiful Boulder-White Clouds.
Finally, I am proud of the wide array of support we now have for this
bill. We have the support of the Idaho Recreation Council, whose
members include ATVers, motorcyclists, motorized and nonmotorized
boaters, rafters, backcountry pilots, RVers, rock hounds, recreational
miners, and snowmobilers in the Idaho State Snowmobile Association.
We also have the support of the Sawtooth Society, the Custer County
Commissioners, East Fork Ranchers, the Idaho Farm Bureau, the Idaho
Cattle Association, Idaho Outfitters and Guides, the Idaho Conservation
League, and the Idaho Wilderness Society.
This is a broad array of users and conservation groups, and it
demonstrates how far we have come with this bill and how widely it is
supported.
This is an Idaho bill--crafted by Idahoans over the past 15 years--to
address some of the most contentious land management issues in one of
the most beautiful places on Earth so that we can both use and enjoy it
and preserve it for future generations. It is, by any definition, a
``compromise'' by all stakeholders, and I urge my colleagues to pass
this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I have a list of people I want to thank who helped
support this bill over the years and have worked very diligently on
this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the following people who have
worked with me during most or part of the last 15 years. They each
played a role in their own way.
From the Conservation Community I want to thank Rick Johnson, who has
become a true friend and honest broker in this long journey. I also
want to thank Tim Mahoney, Marcia Argust, Craig Gehrke, Brad Brooks,
Mike Matz, John Gilroy, Linn Kincannon, Lynne Stone, Tom Pomeroy, Bart
Koehler, Kai Anderson, Athan Manuel, Chris Wood, Erik Schultz, Dani
Mazzotta, and Myke Bybee.
I want to thank the Custer County Commissioners Wayne Butts, Lin
Hintze, Doyle Lamb and Cliff Hansen. They stood by us throughout and
made sure their concerns were heard and taken care of.
I want to thank current and former Blaine County Commissioners
including Sarah Michael and also Larry Schoen who signed a joint letter
with Commissioner Butts of Custer County.
Additionally, I need to thank Stanley City Council President Steve
Botti and Mayor Herb Mumford and former mayor Hannah Stauts.
I want to thank the East Fork Ranchers Wayne and Melody Baker, Gary
and Jackie Ingram, Doug, Cheryl and Sarah Baker and Junior and Lura
Baker. They stood by me through thick and thin. They were the reason we
started this process, and we are going to make sure their livelihoods
on the East Fork continue for future generations.
At the Sawtooth Society, I need to thank former executive director
Bob Hayes, current executive director Gary O'Malley, Hans Carstensen
and the current President Paul Hill.
From the Idaho Recreation Council who represent motorized users I
want to thank Brett Madron, Steve Frisbie and Gary Cvecich. I want to
also thank their leader Sandra Mitchell. She is an incredible woman who
represents her members very, very well.
I want to thank Grant Simonds and Louise and Mike Stark who represent
the outfitters and guides.
At the Forest Service, I need to thank Ed Cannady for answering the
hundreds of questions we asked over the years on uses and map
boundaries. He knows the area better than anyone and he cares even more
about them. He also took me, my staff and even the Forest Service Chief
into the White Clouds on various trips so I could get a better
understanding of the area. Ed has become a very good friend throughout
this process.
Additionally, at the Forest Service I want to thank Kit Mullen, Ruth
Monahan, David Stockdale, Brenda Geesey, Bonnie Luckman, Barbara
Garcia, Julie Thomas, Jennifer Blake, and Beckie Wagoner.
At the BLM, Laurie Sedlmayr and Lara Douglas were a great help
throughout this process.
I want to thank Erica Rhoad who started working on this bill with
Chairman Pombo and is finishing it with Chairman Bishop. She is very
good at her job.
I want to thank Gregory Kostka at Legislative Counsel. He drafted and
redrafted countless versions of this bill over the years. He is a true
professional.
I want to thank Laurel Sayer who was on my staff and is now working
in the conservation community. She attended many meetings and did
terrific ground work for me throughout the process.
I want to thank Senator Risch who when I spoke to him last year about
one last try before a monument proclamation he said ``I think we can do
this, Mike.'' The Senator and his staff John Sandy and Darren Parker
have done a great job helping us get to the finish line.
Finally, I want to thank my staff, Lindsay Slater, Malisah Small,
Nathan Greene, Sarah Cannon, James Neill, Emilee Henshaw, Solara
Linehan, Billy Valderrama, John Revier and Nikki Wallace. They have
each helped in many different ways.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my colleague, Mr.
Simpson, for sponsoring this very important piece of legislation.
I ask my colleagues to help support H.R. 1138, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1138.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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