[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 125 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3541-H3543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WABENO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3937) to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land
in Chequamegon-Nicolet 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. 3937
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 ``Wabeno Economic Development
Act''.
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND IN
THE CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST TO
TONY'S WABENO REDI-MIX, LLC.
(a) Conveyance Required.--If, during the 180-day period
beginning on the date of Federal approval of the appraisal
under subsection (d), Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC submits to
the Secretary an offer to acquire the property described in
subsection (b) for market value, as determined by such
appraisal, the Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after
receiving such offer, convey to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC
all right, title, and interest of the United States,
including mineral rights, in and to the property described in
subsection (b).
(b) Description of Property.--
(1) In general.--The property referred to in subsection (a)
is the parcel of real property, including all land and
improvements, generally depicted as ``Federal Parcel to be
Conveyed'' on the Map, consisting of approximately 14 acres
of National Forest System land located in the Chequamegon-
Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin.
(2) Map.--
(A) Minor errors.--The Secretary may correct minor errors
in the Map.
(B) Availability.--A copy of the Map shall be on file and
available for public inspection in the appropriate office of
the Forest Service.
(3) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the
National Forest System land to be conveyed under subsection
(a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the
Secretary.
(c) Terms and Conditions of the Conveyance.--
(1) Requirements.--The conveyance under subsection (a)
shall be--
(A) subject to valid existing rights;
(B) made by quitclaim deed; and
(C) subject to such other terms and conditions as the
Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the
interests of the United States.
(2) Costs.--As a condition of the conveyance under
subsection (a), Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC shall pay to the
Secretary--
(A) an amount equal to the market value of the land to be
conveyed under subsection (a), as determined by the appraisal
under subsection (d); and
(B) all costs associated with the conveyance, including the
cost of--
(i) a survey, if necessary, under subsection (b)(3);
(ii) conducting the appraisal under subsection (d); and
(iii) any environmental analysis or resource survey
required under Federal law.
(d) Appraisal.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 300 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an
appraisal to determine the market value of the land to be
conveyed under subsection (a).
(2) Standards.--The appraisal under paragraph (1) shall be
conducted in accordance with--
(A) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land
Acquisitions; and
(B) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled
``Conveyance of Federal Parcel Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forest'' and dated September 27, 2023.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service.
SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF FEDERAL PERMITTING PROCESSES
FOR STONE, SAND, AND GRAVEL DEVELOPMENT ON
FEDERAL LANDS.
(a) Review.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation
with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, industry
stakeholders, and State permitting authorities, shall conduct
a comprehensive review of the Federal permitting processes
for the development of stone, sand, and gravel on Federal
lands.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the entities referred to in subsection (a),
shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate, and make publicly available
on the website of the Department of the Interior a report
that includes--
(1) a detailed description of the current Federal
permitting process for stone, sand, and gravel development,
including average timelines from initial application to final
approval;
(2) an analysis identifying potential inefficiencies and
duplicative steps in such permitting process and the impact
of such inefficiencies and duplicative steps on project
timelines;
(3) the Secretary's recommendations for legislative or
administrative actions to streamline such permitting process;
and
(4) a summary of the economic impacts associated with
current permitting timelines under such permitting process,
specifically focusing on the stone, sand, and gravel sectors.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
[[Page H3542]]
Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
General Leave
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 3937, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Wabeno Economic
Development Act. This bill will expedite the conveyance of 14 acres
from the Forest Service to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, for fair market
value.
Tony's is a small ready-mix company that has supplied the surrounding
community with concrete for more than 25 years. The company's concrete
has been used to build homes, fire and rescue buildings, shops,
offices, and even barns for local farmers.
Tony's first began working with the Forest Service on a land exchange
proposal more than 8 years ago. However, the agency made it clear the
project was not a priority and lacked the resources to complete it.
Wabeno is located in Forest County, where roughly 50 percent of the
land is federally owned and only about 10 percent of the land is fully
taxable, so there is limited private land available for small business
expansion.
We often talk up here about how important infrastructure is. Here is
a small business that helps infrastructure projects throughout northern
Wisconsin. This is a prime example of a business that helps build
America. Without this parcel, Tony's Redi-Mix will run out of the
necessary aggregates it needs to produce concrete in about the next 2
years.
This bill will keep this important business in operation and, with
it, the 17 hardworking people it currently employs.
Wabeno is a small town with a population of just over 1,100 people.
Mr. Speaker, 17 jobs may not seem like a big deal to people from the
big cities, but I can assure my colleagues the jobs and economic
benefits provided by this small business are critically important to
this rural community.
This important conveyance will provide much-needed economic growth
and jobs for people in Wabeno and Forest County. It has strong local
support, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to make sure Tony's
Wabeno Redi-Mix stays in business for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, July 17, 2025.
Hon. Bruce Westerman,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual
understanding regarding H.R. 3937, the ``Wabeno Economic
Development Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the
Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our
jurisdiction.
The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further
consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing
consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over any subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you
support such a request.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 3937 and request a
copy of our letters on this matter be published in the
Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, July 17, 2025.
Hon. Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding our mutual
understanding of H.R. 3937, the Wabeno Economic Development
Act, which was ordered report by the Committee on Natural
Resources.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and
appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of
the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture
will not formally consider H.R. 3937 and agree that the
inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not
waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained
therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the
Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to
consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of
letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation
regarding this legislation.
Sincerely,
Bruce Westerman,
Chairman.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3937, legislation introduced
by my colleague from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).
This bill would authorize the conveyance of 14 acres of National
Forest System land to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, a concrete company
based in northern Wisconsin.
The land is located in a national forest, and the Forest Service
determined that the land is suitable for conveyance to private
ownership. The costs associated with the conveyance will be covered by
the company, and the property will be conveyed at market value as
determined by Federal appraisal.
In addition to the conveyance, the bill would require the Secretary
of the Interior to conduct and publish a comprehensive review of the
Federal permitting process for the development of stone, sand, and
gravel on Federal lands.
This review will include descriptions of the Federal permitting
process for stone, sand, and gravel development. It will also include
an analysis of potential inefficiencies and recommendations for
administrative or legislative action, as well as a summary of economic
impacts associated with the current permitting process.
Although the Committee on Natural Resources has not held a hearing on
this bill in the 119th Congress, a hearing was held last year,
providing the Forest Service with an opportunity to comment on and
evaluate the proposal.
This is a critical component of the legislative process that ensures
decisions about the administration of our national forests and public
lands are made out in the open. These shared resources belong to all
Americans, and regular order ensures transparency, something which all
of our constituents deserve.
I know that as chair of the Federal Lands Subcommittee,
Representative Tiffany understands and embraces this sentiment. I thank
and congratulate him on continuing to move this bill forward in an open
and objective manner.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) for her support in regard to this for the last two sessions of
the Natural Resources Committee and getting this to the floor and for
her help in accomplishing this.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that supports rural jobs,
strengthens local economies, and improves how we manage our Federal
lands.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3937 today. Again, I hope the
Senate moves quickly to advance this important piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3937, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
[[Page H3543]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________