[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H9074-H9075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BIG BEAR LAND EXCHANGE ACT

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 255) to provide for an exchange of lands with San Bernardino 
County, California, to enhance management of lands within the San 
Bernardino National Forest, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 255

       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 ``Big Bear Land Exchange 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) County.--The term ``County'' means the County of San 
     Bernardino, California.
       (2) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the 
     approximately 73 acres of Federal land administered by the 
     Forest Service generally depicted as ``Federal Land Proposed 
     for Exchange'' on the Map.
       (3) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land'' means 
     the approximately 71 acres owned by the County generally 
     depicted as ``Non-Federal Land Proposed for Exchange'' on the 
     Map.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (5) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map titled ``Big Bear 
     Land Exchange'' and dated August 6, 2018.

     SEC. 3. EXCHANGE OF LAND; EQUALIZATION OF VALUE.

       (a) Exchange Authorized.--Subject to valid existing rights 
     and the terms of this Act, no later than one year after the 
     date that the portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic 
     Trail is relocated in accordance with subsection (h), if the 
     County offers to convey the non-Federal land to the United 
     States, the Secretary shall--
       (1) convey to the County all right, title, and interest of 
     the United States in and to the Federal land; and
       (2) accept from the County a conveyance of all right, 
     title, and interest of the County in and to the non-Federal 
     land.
       (b) Equal Value and Cash Equalization.--
       (1) Equal value exchange.--The land exchange under this 
     section shall be for equal value, or the values shall be 
     equalized by a cash payment as provided for under this 
     subsection or an adjustment in acreage. At the option of the 
     County, any excess value of the non-Federal lands may be 
     considered a gift to the United States.
       (2) Equalization.--If the value of the Federal land and the 
     non-Federal land to be conveyed in a land exchange under this 
     subsection is not equal, the value may be equalized by--
       (A) making a cash equalization payment to the Secretary or 
     to the owner of the non-Federal land, as appropriate, in 
     accordance with section 206(b) of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(b)); or
       (B) reducing the acreage of the Federal land or the non-
     Federal land to be exchanged, as appropriate.
       (3) Deposit and use of funds received from county.--Any 
     cash equalization payment received by the Secretary under 
     this subsection shall be deposited in the fund established 
     under Public Law 90-171 (16 U.S.C. 484a; commonly known as 
     the ``Sisk Act''). The funds so deposited shall remain 
     available to the Secretary, until expended, for the 
     acquisition of lands, waters, and interests in land for the 
     San Bernardino National Forest.
       (c) Appraisal.--The Secretary shall complete an appraisal 
     of the land to be exchanged under subsection (a) in 
     accordance with--
       (1) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
     Acquisitions; and
       (2) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal 
     Practice.
       (d) Title Approval.--Title to the land to be exchanged 
     under this Act shall be in a format acceptable to the 
     Secretary and the County.
       (e) Survey of Non-Federal Lands.--Before completing the 
     exchange under this Act, the Secretary shall inspect the non-
     Federal lands to ensure that the land meets Federal 
     standards, including hazardous materials and land line 
     surveys.
       (f) Costs of Conveyance.--As a condition of conveyance, any 
     costs related to the exchange under this section shall be 
     paid by the County.
       (g) Management of Acquired Lands.--The non-Federal land 
     acquired by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall be--
       (1) added to, and managed as part of, San Bernardino 
     National Forest; and
       (2) managed in accordance with--
       (A) the Act of March 1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.; 
     commonly known as the ``Weeks Act''); and
       (B) any other laws, including regulations, pertaining to 
     National Forest System lands.
       (h) Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Relocation.--Not 
     later than three years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary, in accordance with the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
     other applicable laws (including regulations), shall relocate 
     the portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail 
     located on the Federal land to--
       (1) adjacent National Forest System land;
       (2) land owned by the County, subject to County approval;
       (3) land within the Federal land, subject to County 
     approval; or
       (4) a combination of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
       (i) Map and Legal Descriptions.--As soon as practicable 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall finalize a map and legal descriptions of all land to be 
     conveyed under this Act. The Secretary may correct any minor 
     errors in the map or in the legal descriptions. The map and 
     legal descriptions shall be on file and available for public 
     inspection in appropriate offices of the Forest Service.
       (j) Applicable Law.--Section 206 of the Federal Land Policy 
     and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716) shall apply to 
     the land exchange authorized under subsection (a).
       (k) Additional Terms and Conditions.--Any conveyance of 
     Federal land under this Act shall be subject to--
       (1) valid existing rights;
       (2) the terms of this Act; and
       (3) such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require.

     SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McClintock) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman).

                              {time}  1345


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 255, introduced by Representative Cook, would authorize an equal 
value exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and San Bernardino 
County. This exchange would enable the county to build a resource 
conservation and recovery facility. This will increase efficiency and 
safety of timber processing and recycling in that area. In return, the 
Forest Service would receive an undeveloped inholding in the San 
Bernardino National Forest.
  The bill is a perfect example of how, through a collaborative 
process, we can meet the needs of local stakeholders while continuing 
to protect our environment and public lands.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and thank my colleague, 
Representative Cook, for introducing this legislation, and I urge my 
colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page H9075]]

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 255, introduced by the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Cook), authorizes a locally supported equal value land exchange 
between the Forest Service and San Bernardino County. The county has 
proposed to convey an inland parcel within the San Bernardino National 
Forest to the Forest Service in exchange for land further north to be 
conveyed by the county.
  The land conveyed by the county will allow needed forest management 
infrastructure to be located closer to the forest and promote road 
safety by reducing the need to drive forest products down narrow, 
winding roads.
  H.R. 255 also authorizes cooperation between the county and the 
Forest Service to relocate a portion of the Pacific Crest National 
Scenic Trail, if needed, and requires that the trail relocation be 
completed before the exchange is consummated.
  This legislation is the result of a Congressman who has listened to 
the voices of his community, an administration sympathetic to the 
plight of our forest communities, and community members and their local 
representatives putting forward a reasonable and workable plan that is 
fair to all parties.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from southern California (Mr. Aguilar).
  Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from California 
offering me some time, and I want to thank Representative Cook, as 
well, for his efforts.
  I rise in support of the Big Bear Land Exchange Act.
  My community in San Bernardino County experiences some of the highest 
levels of air pollution anywhere in the country, and, in order to 
combat this pollution, we must find ways to reduce emissions in our 
region. This bill will help us do just that.
  This land exchange between the county and the Federal Government will 
allow the establishment of a recycling and recovery center in my 
neighboring district. This facility would decrease the long distances 
that trucks have to travel to dispose of waste and will allow us to 
divert this waste by repurposing recyclable materials.
  This legislation is good for our communities and is a smart way to 
help mitigate pollution and combat climate change.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Cook, 
for his work in championing this bill and for his bipartisan 
collaboration. I have worked with Mr. Cook on a number of issues 
representing San Bernardino County. Nobody is more thoughtful when it 
comes to what our future direction holds. I know his heart is in San 
Bernardino County, as well, and no one will ever doubt that about his 
intent.
  Just because he doesn't want to hang out here with us in this 
facility oftentimes doesn't mean that he isn't publicly driven and 
publicly minded in order to deliver for his constituents. This bill is 
one of those examples.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleague the 
remainder of the next 12 months and in the years ahead, and I want to 
thank him for his efforts in this regard.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I share my colleague's high words of praise and warmth for our 
colleague, Mr. Cook, the author of this measure, and I am also somewhat 
annoyed with him for his decision to leave the Congress at the end of 
this session for the county board of supervisors.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Cook).
  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McClintock for yielding his time.
  I had my speech all prepared, but I am not sure whether it is a San 
Bernardino lovefest or a beat up on Paul Cook because he is leaving 
this institution.
  This is an example. Everybody knows that you can work together; you 
can put your differences aside and get things done. I pride myself on 
that. I am very, very passionate about certain things.
  This bill sounds simple, the pollution going up and down that hill; 
but, more so, anyone who has lived in a mountain community knows how 
dangerous it is, particularly in the winter, and more so with a truck 
with timber on it, the number of accidents that we have on those roads 
up there--just the deaths--every year. We have always had problems, and 
it is something I am very, very concerned about.

  I do want to commend working with the Pacific Crest Trail 
Association, working together so we could iron out some of these 
things.
  The relocation, as I think was already mentioned, will include 
environmental review and will take care before the exchange takes 
place.
  And we have got a lot of people on this: the city of Big Bear Lake, 
the Friends of Big Bear Valley, Big Bear Fire Department.
  By the way, there are big bears up there. If you haven't met one 
there, stay off the highways.
  Anyway, the Big Bear City Community Services Department, the water 
district, the community healthcare, the chamber of commerce, and the 
local Big Bear chapter of the Sierra Club--and they have been great on 
this.
  It passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee on a 
unanimous, bipartisan vote. Last December, nearly identical language 
passed out of the House as H.R. 5513 with overwhelming bipartisan 
support.
  I appreciate the comments--even the sarcastic comments--of my 
colleagues, and I truly am going to miss this institution.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I assure my friend, they are not sarcastic. He will be sorely missed 
in this House.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure and urge my colleague to 
change his mind and come back next session, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to associate myself with the other comments about how much we 
are going to miss Colonel Cook. We respect him. We admire him. We are 
amused by him.
  Let the record show he just called the Sierra Club great. I want that 
to be noted.
  And although he has found a way, through this bill, to create an 
equal value exchange, something tells me that in the exchange of 
Colonel Cook, because we are losing him, the County of San Bernardino 
is making out a lot better than this institution. So I wish him well 
and urge a ``yes'' vote on his good bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Keating). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 255, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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