[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 169 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA:
  S. 3046. A bill to make permanent the authority to collect Shasta-
Trinity National Forest marina fees; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Shasta Trinity 
Marina Fees Act to make permanent the existing authority for the U.S. 
Forest Service to collect and retain marina fees within the Shasta-
Trinity National Forest.
  The ability to collect these fees has proved critical to the success 
of the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, and the funds are used 
to enhance recreation, support public safety and service announcements, 
improve lake access, and provide greater marina infrastructure for 
boaters.
  In 2008, Congress gave the Forest Service the ability to collect and 
retain marina fees in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in order to 
fund the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area; however, that 
authority expired in 2019, and Congress has granted the Forest Service 
1-year reauthorizations since then.
  This bipartisan bill would make this authority permanent, providing 
certainty to the Forest Service and guaranteeing the ability to 
maintain recreation infrastructure.
  Trinity County is one of the poorest counties in the State of 
California, with declining revenue sources to fund public services and 
a strained economy. The Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area is the 
largest driver of tourism activity to the area, and visitors come to 
the region to enjoy the Shasta and Trinity Lakes.
  The ability to collect marina fees has allowed the Forest Service to 
support 15 permanent and 9 seasonal employees who provide vital support 
for recreation and has also paid for cleaning and maintenance of 
infrastructure, fire prevention patrols, and accessible facilities to 
provide greater access for people with disabilities.
  We must provide certainty to ensure that this critical investment in 
Shasta-Trinity National Forest won't be threatened congressional 
inaction, government shutdowns, or gamesmanship.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation 
to provide permanent, crucial investments for one of California's 
meccas for outdoor recreation.

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