[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6269-H6270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UTAH STATE PARKS ADJUSTMENT ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7332) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the State of
Utah for inclusion in certain State parks, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7332
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 ``Utah State Parks Adjustment
Act''.
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND TO THE STATE OF
UTAH.
(a) Antelope Island State Park Conveyance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
convey, subject to valid existing rights, without
consideration, and by quitclaim deed, to the State of Utah
(referred to in this section as the ``State''), for inclusion
in Antelope Island State Park, all right, title, and interest
of the United States in and to the Bureau of Land Management
land depicted on the map entitled ``Antelope Island State
Park Proposal: Utah State Park Additions'' and dated February
28, 2023, that is identified as land proposed for conveyance
on that map.
(2) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance under
paragraph (1), including costs for surveys and other
administrative costs, shall be paid by the State.
(b) Wasatch Mountain State Park Conveyance.--
(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, subject
to valid existing rights, without consideration, and by
quitclaim deed, to the State, for inclusion in Wasatch
Mountain State Park, all right, title, and interest of the
United States in and to the Bureau of Land Management land
depicted on the map entitled ``Wasatch Mountain State Park
Proposal Utah State Park Additions'' and dated May 3, 2024,
that is identified as land proposed for conveyance on that
map.
(2) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance under
paragraph (1), including costs for surveys and other
administrative costs, shall be paid by the State.
(c) Fremont Indian State Park Conveyance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
convey, subject to valid existing rights, without
consideration, and by quitclaim deed, to the State, for
inclusion in Fremont Indian State Park, all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to--
(A) the National Forest System land depicted on the map
entitled ``S. 2136--Utah State Parks Adjustment Act'' and
dated September 12, 2023, that is identified as an area
selected for land transfer on that map; and
(B) any improvements to the National Forest System land
described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Easements.--As a condition of the conveyance under
paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall reserve
easements to the conveyed land for all National Forest System
roads and trails that originate at, terminate at, or traverse
the conveyed land.
(3) Water rights.--As a condition of the conveyance under
paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall convey to
the State only those water rights held by the United States
identified as 63-44, 63-1607, and 63-2817 in the water rights
database of the Utah State Engineer that provide water to the
Castle Rock Campground and the Belknap Historic Guard Station
interpretive site.
(4) Survey.--
(A) In general.--If determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture to be necessary, the exact acreage and legal
description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed
under paragraph (1) shall be determined by a survey approved
by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) Costs.--As a condition of the conveyance under
paragraph (1), the State shall pay the reasonable survey
costs associated with the survey under subparagraph (A).
(5) Additional terms and conditions.--The Secretary of
Agriculture may enter into an agreement with the State with
respect to additional terms and conditions applicable to the
conveyance under paragraph (1), including--
(A) the management and maintenance of the Belknap Historic
Guard Station interpretive site;
(B) the use and maintenance of roads and trails on the
conveyed parcel of National Forest System land;
(C) the continued use of permitted livestock grazing on the
conveyed parcel of National Forest System land;
(D) continued Forest Service access to, and use and
maintenance of, any water rights retained by the United
States in the area of the conveyed parcel of National Forest
System land; and
(E) any other terms and conditions necessary to clarify
management and maintenance of the parcel of National Forest
System land after the date of conveyance.
(d) Modifications to Maps.--For the purposes of a
conveyance required by this section, the Secretary of the
Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, may
make minor modifications to the applicable map described in
subsection (a), (b), or (c)(1)(A) , including changes
reflecting any applicable surveys conducted under this
section.
(e) Use of Conveyed Land.--
(1) In general.--The State shall use any Federal land
conveyed under this section for public purposes, including
parks, campgrounds, recreation, and permitted livestock
grazing.
[[Page H6270]]
(2) Reversionary interest.--If a parcel of Federal land
conveyed to the State under this section ceases to be used
for public purposes described in paragraph (1), the parcel
shall, at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture or
Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, revert to the
United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R. 7332, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Maloy's bill,
the Utah State Parks Adjustment Act.
This legislation would transfer several parcels, totaling
approximately 782 acres of Federal land, to the State of Utah for
inclusion in the Utah State Parks system. The parcels included in this
conveyance are currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management or
the U.S. Forest Service and are either adjacent to or comprise
inholdings within the boundaries of the Utah State Parks system.
Specifically, H.R. 7332 would convey approximately 280 acres of
Federal land to Antelope Island State Park to modernize an existing
campground and 502 acres of Bureau of Land Management and Forest
Service land to Wasatch Mountain State Park and Fremont Indian State
Park to expand and enhance existing trail networks.
This legislation is a win-win for Utahns and the American taxpayer.
Utah's State parks are renowned for their striking beauty and plentiful
attractions and for being well managed and popular. Bolstering these
State parks would help produce more evenly distributed tourism and
visitation patterns, preventing overcrowding at Utah's more famous
national parks. This legislation will improve recreation infrastructure
and public access for all local Utahns and visitors alike, helping grow
Utah's outdoor recreation economy.
Federal land managers will also reap benefits from these transfers.
In its statement supporting H.R. 7332, the BLM testified that the bill
``would improve manageability and dispose of isolated Federal parcels
that are difficult to manage.''
I, again, commend Representative Maloy for her leadership on this
important issue. Over 60 percent of Utah's land is federally owned, and
conveying these properties from the Federal estate to the Utah State
Parks system will improve land and natural resource management. Those
changes will benefit the people of Utah and our public lands.
Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my strong support for this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Utah State Parks Adjustment Act
which would convey three parcels of land under the Bureau of Land
Management and Forest Service to the State of Utah.
Once conveyed, the parcels in and around Antelope Island State Park,
Fremont Indian State Park, and Wasatch Mountain State Park will be
incorporated into the Utah State Parks system to be used for public
purposes, including parks, campgrounds, recreation, and permitted
livestock grazing.
I would like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle
for working with the administration to incorporate agency feedback on
this bill, including by clarifying the intent for the lands to remain
in compliance with the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.
By consolidating ownership to the State of Utah, the land conveyance
directed by this bill is expected to improve the management of these
lands.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Utah (Ms. Maloy), who is the sponsor of the bill.
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R.
7332, that would transfer nearly 800 acres of Federal land to the State
of Utah.
For nearly 20 years, the Utah Division of State Parks has managed the
Castle Rock Campground by the Fremont Indian State Park in Sevier
County in my district, but the land is owned by the Forest Service.
Ownership of this land by the Federal Government hinders the State's
ability to effectively manage the campground for visitors to the park.
It also prevents efficient and timely improvements to the campground's
roads, trails, and utilities.
Utah is known for a long list of things, but two of the things that
are at the top of that list are the Great Salt Lake and parks. Antelope
Island State Park stands in the Great Salt Lake, and Wasatch Mountain
State Park lies near Park City known for its ski resorts. Both of them
are among the most visited State parks in Utah.
These two parks have something in common, which is a checkerboard of
dozens of small parcels of Federal land inside the State park
boundaries. These parcels are currently managed by the Federal
Government, and the State has historically managed these lands under a
permit.
Recently some of the permits were terminated, and the reason the
Bureau of Land Management gave for not continuing with the permits was
that they didn't have the resources to manage and oversee these
parcels. They have been managed for years as part of the State parks,
and they will continue to be managed as part of the State parks. It
just makes sense for the State to take over management of these
parcels.
H.R. 7332 would formally transfer these lands to the State to be
managed under their thoughtful and diligent management in accordance
with their management of the rest of the State parks.
Utah has some of the most beautiful and recognizable landscapes in
the world, and this bill would help ensure that Americans, Utahns, and
even visitors from abroad are able to access and enjoy these parks and
the resources we enjoy.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for my colleagues' support of this legislation.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. In closing, Mr. Speaker, this commonsense bill will
benefit Utah State Parks and alleviate some clear land management
inefficiencies on the Federal side. At its core, H.R. 7332 is an
example of effective collaboration between Federal agencies, local
stakeholders, and Congress.
I commend Representative Maloy for her efforts to bring these
stakeholders together, and I thank her for introducing this meaningful
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7332, 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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