[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 20 (Thursday, January 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Ms. Harris):
  S. 308. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
certain Federal lands in San Bernardino County, California, to the San 
Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, and to accept in return 
certain non-Federal lands, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to reintroduce the 
``Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act.'' This legislation would 
help implement a consensus-driven regional land management plan by 
directing the Bureau of Land Management to exchange land with the San 
Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District in San Bernardino, 
California.
  Before I continue, I would like to thank Senators Lisa Murkowski and 
Maria Cantwell, as well as their staffs, for their hard work to move 
this bill forward last Congress. With their assistance, this 
legislation passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee in August 2018 and was included in a bipartisan public lands 
package.
  I thank Senator Murkowski for introducing a bipartisan lands package 
bill this Congress and including this legislation in it. I look forward 
to working once again with Senator Murkowski, as well as the newly 
designated Ranking Member, Senator Manchin, to maintain our momentum 
and pass this bill as quickly as possible.
  I also would like to express my gratitude to Representative Paul Cook 
and his staff for their continuing work and collaboration on this 
legislation. Lastly, I welcome working with Representative Cook and 
Representative Aguilar who are cosponsoring companion legislation in 
the House of Representatives. Lastly, I thank Senator Harris for 
cosponsoring this legislation.
  This bill is an excellent example of how smart, sustainable, land 
planning can be accomplished through interagency cooperation. Federal 
and State agencies, private industry, and municipalities representing 
mining, flood control, water supply, wildlife conservation, and other 
interests all came to the table to develop a land management plan that 
accounts for the array of land uses in this area.
  The land exchange facilitated by this bill is broadly supported, 
including by: County of San Bernardino, City of Redlands, City of 
Highland, San Bernardino Water Conservation District, San Bernardino 
Valley Municipal Water District, East Valley Water District, Endangered 
Habitats League, CEMEX Construction Materials Pacific, Robertson's 
Ready Mix, Inland Action.
  This diverse group of entities formed the ``Wash Committee'' in 1993 
to address mining and land management in the upper Santa Ana River wash 
area.
  I applaud the Committee, along with federal, state and local 
stakeholders, for working together to develop a strategy for 
comprehensive land management planning for the area. This group has 
shown that through cooperation, it is possible to both protect the 
environment and support local business and community interests.
  The land exchange between the San Bernardino Water Conservation 
District and the Bureau of Land Management will consolidate open space 
for conservation purposes and optimize the efficiency of mining 
operations and water conservation efforts.
  The exchange will also set aside new land for conservation purposes 
near land already managed by BLM.
  This bill will lead to increased habitat protection, groundwater 
recharge, and public access while allowing for the continued use of 
land and mineral resources.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the ``Santa Ana 
River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act'' as soon as possible.
  Thank you Mr. President, I yield the floor.
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