[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19880-19881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO FACILITATE YAVAPAI RANCH LAND EXCHANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK RENZI

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, along with Congressman J. D. Hayworth, I rise 
today to introduce the Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange 
Act of 2003. This legislation facilitates a land exchange in northern 
Arizona of private land within the Yavapai Ranch for Forest Service 
land in the northern portion of the state.
  Mr. Speaker, in the past few months, I have received many letters and 
phone calls in support and in opposition to this exchange. I have 
visited and toured the Yavapai Ranch and witnessed first hand the 
beauty of this unique property. Bringing the Yavapai Ranch into federal 
ownership is in the best interest of the public, and the Forest Service 
has indicated that it would otherwise be unable to afford to acquire 
these parcels.
  This legislation accomplishes many goals in northern Arizona. First, 
it provides the City of Flagstaff with the opportunity to acquire land 
to expand and improve Pulliam Airport. In addition, this legislation 
will allow the City of Flagstaff to develop a new city park and 
recreational areas and obtain ownership of land near their water 
treatment plant. This is critical to the City of Flagstaff's future by 
providing economic development and affordable housing.
  The Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act will also 
allow the City of Williams to acquire land for its well sites, water 
storage tanks and wastewater facility and drinking water treatment 
plants. In addition, this will provide Williams with the opportunity to 
expand their airport, the municipal golf course and the town park.
  In the Verde Valley, this bill provides Camp Verde with a unique 
opportunity to acquire land for open space to protect their view shed. 
The Camp Verde Fire District will be provided with land adjacent to 
Interstate 17 for an emergency response and urgent care facility for 
faster response. A planned development along Interstate 17 will provide 
Camp Verde with additional tax base and job opportunities.
  A residential development in Clarkdale and Cottonwood will diversify 
the housing market and provide new lands to their tax base. I have 
ensured that language in this legislation ensures that water 
conservation and water use restrictions must be met for any future 
development.

[[Page 19881]]

  Finally, this legislation ensures that five summer camps have the 
opportunity to acquire the land and benefit from full ownership and 
management of this land. Included in this exchange are Young Life Lost 
Canyon Camp, Friendly Pines Camp, YMCA Sky Y Camp, Temple Beth Israel's 
Camp Charles Pearlstein and the Roman Catholic Church of Phoenix 
Patterdell Pines Camp.
  Mr. Speaker, I have held several town halls and town meetings in the 
district to discuss the many issues clouding this exchange. First, this 
exchange provides Camp Verde with land for open space for their view 
shed, but it is my understanding that plans are already underway to 
construct an interchange that would affect the view shed in the Verde 
Valley.
  Second, this legislation addresses the water concerns associated with 
this exchange. Language is included to ensure that developments comply 
with water use and water conservation requirements. Covenants will 
limit the amount of water use to sustain the current zoning at 2 houses 
per acres. In addition, any development must comply with the State of 
Arizona's surface and groundwater laws.
  Finally, this legislation addresses the issue of federal permittees 
that may be affected by this exchange. Under the Federal Land Policy 
Management Act, a permittee shall receive a ``reasonable'' compensation 
from the federal government if an action by the federal government, 
including disposal, cancels the permit. My goal in including this 
language is to properly address the possible hardship and injustice 
that could occur as a result of this exchange.
  Mr. Speaker, my intent in introducing this legislation is to assist 
communities in northern Arizona in providing affordable housing and 
economic opportunities, while preserving the pristine areas of our 
forests for wildlife and recreation. The introduction of this 
legislation today represents another step in the legislative process. 
As a whole, this exchange will benefit the public, the many communities 
and camps in northern Arizona that will receive opportunities for 
future economic development, and the natural beauty of the Yavapai 
Ranch.

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