[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S6646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I wish to celebrate the enactment of the 
Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions 
Act and congratulate my Idaho congressional delegation colleagues 
Representative Michael K. Simpson and Senator James E. Risch on this 
important achievement.
  Enactment of this legislation, also called the SNRA Plus, was 
accomplished due to significant hard work, led by Representative 
Simpson. Representative Simpson's determination to work through the 
many challenges that arose during the near decade of this collaborative 
effort has given Idaho a homegrown solution to sustaining this 
treasured area of Idaho.
  Senator Risch's work in shepherding this legislation through the 
Senate, including through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources on which he serves, is also commendable. Senator Risch fought 
through many challenges in his pursuit of getting this needed 
legislation over the finish line.
  A number of other individuals deserve acknowledgement for their 
considerable efforts to develop a hard-sought consensus that will be of 
lasting benefit. John Revier and Lindsay Slater of Representative 
Simpson's staff dedicated immeasurable time and extensive know-how to 
developing the legislation to reach this milestone. Custer and Blaine 
County Commissioners also did an outstanding job in this collaborative 
effort. The SNRA Plus is a win for Idaho and an example of how local 
governments and interests can achieve solutions to some of the most 
persistent public lands issues we face today.
  Following the enactment of this important legislation, the focus must 
now shift to the hard work of successful implementation that will 
require commitment from the various Federal agencies and all of the 
affected interests. Again, I commend Representative Simpson, Senator 
Risch and the other stakeholders for their important work that will 
make a lasting difference in our great State.

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