[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 20221-20225]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              UTAH RECREATIONAL LAND EXCHANGE ACT OF 2006

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2069) to authorize the exchange of certain land in Grand and 
Uintah Counties, Utah, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2069

       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 Recreational Land 
     Exchange Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the area surrounding the Colorado River in Grand and 
     San Juan Counties, Utah, and Dinosaur National Monument and 
     the Book Cliffs in Uintah County, Utah, contains nationally 
     recognized scenic vistas, significant archaeological and 
     historic resources, valuable wildlife habitat, and 
     outstanding opportunities for public recreation that are 
     enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people annually;
       (2) the State of Utah owns multiple parcels of land in the 
     area that were granted to the State under the Act of July 16, 
     1894 (28 Stat. 107, chapter 138), to be held in trust for the 
     benefit of the public school system and other public 
     institutions of the State;
       (3) the parcels of State trust land are largely scattered 
     in checkerboard fashion amid the Federal land comprising the 
     area of the Colorado River corridor, the Dinosaur National 
     Monument, and the Book Cliffs;
       (4) the State trust land in the area of the Colorado River 
     corridor, Dinosaur National

[[Page 20222]]

     Monument, and the Book Cliffs includes significant natural 
     and recreational features, including--
       (A) portions of Westwater Canyon of the Colorado River;
       (B) the nationally recognized Kokopelli and Slickrock 
     trails;
       (C) several of the largest natural rock arches in the 
     United States;
       (D) multiple wilderness study areas and proposed wilderness 
     areas; and
       (E) viewsheds for Arches National Park and Dinosaur 
     National Monument;
       (5) the large presence of State trust land located in the 
     Colorado River corridor, Dinosaur National Monument, and the 
     Book Cliffs area makes land and resource management in the 
     area more difficult, costly, and controversial for the United 
     States and the State of Utah;
       (6) although the State trust land was granted to the State 
     to generate financial support for public schools in the State 
     through the sale or development of natural resources, 
     development of those resources in the Colorado River 
     corridor, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Book Cliffs 
     area may be incompatible with managing the area for 
     recreational, natural, and scenic resources;
       (7) the United States owns land and interests in land in 
     other parts of the State of Utah that can be transferred to 
     the State in exchange for the State trust land without 
     jeopardizing Federal management objectives or needs; and
       (8) it is in the public interest to exchange federally 
     owned land in the State for the Utah State trust land located 
     in the Colorado River Corridor, Dinosaur National Monument, 
     and the Book Cliffs area, on terms that are fair to the 
     United States and the State of Utah.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to direct, 
     facilitate, and expedite the exchange of certain Federal land 
     and non-Federal land in the State to further the public 
     interest by--
       (1) exchanging Federal land that has limited recreational 
     and conservation resources; and
       (2) acquiring State trust land with important recreational, 
     scenic, and conservation resources for permanent public 
     management and use.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the land 
     located in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, that 
     is identified on the maps as--
       (A) ``BLM Subsurface only Proposed for Transfer to State 
     Trust Lands'';
       (B) ``BLM Surface only Proposed for Transfer to State Trust 
     Lands''; and
       (C) ``BLM Lands Proposed for Transfer to State Trust 
     Lands''.
       (2) Grand county map.--The term ``Grand County Map'' means 
     the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled 
     ``Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act Grand County'' and 
     dated September 22, 2006.
       (3) Maps.--The term ``maps'' means the Grand County Map and 
     the Uintah County Map.
       (4) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land'' means 
     the land in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, that 
     is identified on the maps as--
       (A) ``State Trust Land Proposed for Transfer to BLM''; and
       (B) ``State Trust Minerals Proposed for Transfer to BLM''.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Utah, as 
     trustee under the Utah State School and Institutional Trust 
     Lands Management Act (Utah Code Ann. 53C-1-101 et seq.).
       (7) Uintah county map.--The term ``Uintah County Map'' 
     means the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management 
     entitled ``Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act Uintah 
     County'' and dated September 22, 2006.

     SEC. 4. EXCHANGE OF LAND.

       (a) In General.--If, not later than 30 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the State offers to convey to the 
     United States title to the non-Federal land, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) accept the offer; and
       (2) on receipt of acceptable title to the non-Federal land 
     and subject to valid existing rights, convey to the State all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the 
     Federal land.
       (b) Conveyance of Parcels in Phases.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding that appraisals for all of 
     the parcels of Federal land and non-Federal land may not have 
     been completed under section 5, parcels of the Federal land 
     and non-Federal land may be exchanged under subsection (a) in 
     3 phases beginning on the date on which the appraised values 
     of the parcels included in the applicable phase are approved 
     under section 5(b)(5).
       (2) Phases.--The 3 phases referred to in paragraph (1) 
     are--
       (A) phase 1, consisting of the non-Federal land identified 
     as ``phase one'' land on the Grand County Map;
       (B) phase 2, consisting of the non-Federal land identified 
     as ``phase two'' land on the Grand County Map and the Uintah 
     County Map; and
       (C) phase 3, consisting of any remaining non-Federal land 
     that is not identified as ``phase one'' land or ``phase two'' 
     land on the Grand County Map or the Uintah County Map.
       (3) No agreement on exchange.--If agreement has not been 
     reached with respect to the exchange of an individual parcel 
     of Federal land or non-Federal land, the Secretary and the 
     State may agree to set aside the individual parcel to allow 
     the exchange of the other parcels of Federal land and non-
     Federal land to proceed.
       (c) Appurtenant Water Rights.--Any conveyance of a parcel 
     of Federal land or non-Federal land under this Act shall 
     include the conveyance of water rights appurtenant to the 
     parcel conveyed.
       (d) Timing.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
     (3), the exchange of land authorized by subsection (a) shall 
     be completed not later than 330 days after the date on which 
     the State makes the Secretary an offer to convey the non-
     Federal land under that subsection.
       (2) Exception.--The deadline established under paragraph 
     (1) shall not apply to a parcel of land, the value of which 
     is being determined under section 5(b)(6)(C).
       (3) Extension.--The Secretary and the State may mutually 
     agree to extend the deadline specified in paragraph (1).
       (e) Compliance.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act, 
     the exchange of land shall be carried out in compliance with 
     all laws and regulations applicable to the exchange of 
     Federal land for non-Federal land.

     SEC. 5. EXCHANGE VALUATION, APPRAISALS, AND EQUALIZATION.

       (a) Equal Value Exchange.--The value of the Federal land 
     and non-Federal land to be exchanged under this Act--
       (1) shall be equal; or
       (2) shall be made equal in accordance with subsection (c).
       (b) Appraisals.--
       (1) In general.--The value of the Federal land and the non-
     Federal land shall be determined by appraisals conducted in 
     accordance with--
       (A) section 206(d) of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(d)); and
       (B) section 2201.3 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations 
     (or successor regulations).
       (2) Selection of appraiser.--The appraisals of the Federal 
     land and non-Federal land shall be conducted by 1 or more 
     independent third-party appraisers selected jointly by the 
     Secretary and the State.
       (3) Costs.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary and the State shall share 
     third-party appraisal costs equally.
       (B) Adjustment.--The Secretary and the State may agree to 
     adjust the relative value of the Federal land and non-Federal 
     land to be exchanged under this Act if the Secretary or the 
     State has paid a disproportionate share of the third-party 
     appraisal costs.
       (4) Valuation of unleased federal land; revenue sharing.--
       (A) In general.--Any parcel of Federal land that, as of the 
     date of appraisal, is not leased under the Mineral Leasing 
     Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), shall be appraised without 
     regard to the presence of minerals subject to lease under 
     that Act, if, after conveyance of the applicable parcel to 
     the State, the State agrees to pay to the United States--
       (i) 50 percent of any bonus or rental payments (in the form 
     of money or other consideration) that the State receives for 
     the disposition of any interest in the minerals after the 
     date of conveyance; and
       (ii) an amount equal to--

       (I) the fraction of gross proceeds from mineral production 
     (in the form of money or other consideration) to which the 
     United States would have been entitled as a production 
     royalty if the land had been--

       (aa) retained by the United States; and
       (bb) leased under the provisions of that Act in effect on 
     the date of this Act; minus

       (II) the portion of production royalties that would 
     otherwise be payable to the State under section 35 of the 
     Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191).

       (B) Obligation as covenant.--The obligation of the State to 
     pay bonus, rental, and royalty revenues to the United States 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be a permanent covenant running 
     with the applicable parcel of Federal land conveyed to the 
     State.
       (C) Special account.--All revenues received by the United 
     States under this paragraph shall be deposited in a special 
     account in the Treasury of the United States and shall be 
     available without further appropriation to the Secretary 
     until expended for--
       (i) the equalization of values as provided in subsection 
     (c)(1);
       (ii) the purchase of lands or interests therein within the 
     State of Utah that are otherwise eligible for purchase under 
     the Federal Lands Transaction Facilitation Act (43 U.S.C. 
     2301 et. seq.); or
       (iii) the purchase of lands or interests therein owned by 
     the State of Utah as trustee under the Utah State School and 
     Institutional Trust Lands Management Act that are determined 
     by the Secretary to have outstanding characteristics for 
     outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, wilderness, or other 
     natural resources.
       (D) Acquisition.--Any land acquired under this section 
     shall be--

[[Page 20223]]

       (i) from a willing seller;
       (ii) contingent on the conveyance of title acceptable to 
     the Secretary, using title standards of the Attorney General;
       (iii) at a price not to exceed fair market value consistent 
     with applicable provisions of the Uniform Appraisal Standards 
     for Federal Land Acquisitions; and
       (iv) managed as part of the unit within which it is 
     contained.
       (5) Review and approval.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date on 
     which the appraiser is selected under paragraph (2), the 
     appraiser shall submit to the Secretary and the State a copy 
     of the completed appraisals for review.
       (B) Approval or disapproval.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of receipt of an appraisal under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary and the State shall independently approve or 
     disapprove the appraisal.
       (6) Determination of value.--
       (A) Determination by secretary and state.--If the Secretary 
     and the State are unable to agree on the value of a parcel of 
     land, the value of the parcel may be determined by the 
     Secretary and the State in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
     (4) of section 206(d) of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(d)).
       (B) Valuation of leased federal land.--
       (i) In general.--If value is attributed to any parcel of 
     Federal land because of the presence of minerals subject to 
     leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191 et 
     seq.), and the parcel is subject to an existing lease under 
     that Act, the value of the parcel shall be equal to the value 
     of the parcel as determined under this section, as adjusted 
     under clause (ii).
       (ii) Adjustment.--

       (I) In general.--The value of the parcel subject to a lease 
     under clause (i) shall be reduced by the percentage of the 
     Federal revenue sharing obligation under section 35(a) of the 
     Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(a)).
       (II) No property right.--An adjustment under subclause (I) 
     shall not be considered to be a property right of the State.

       (C) Determination by court.--
       (i) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, if the Secretary and the State have not agreed on the 
     value of a parcel by the date that is 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, a Federal district court (including 
     the United States District Court for the District of Utah, 
     Central Division) shall have jurisdiction to determine the 
     value of the parcel.
       (ii) Limitation.--An action to determine the value of a 
     parcel under clause (i) shall be brought not earlier than 1 
     year, but not more than 3 years, after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (D) Availability of appraisals.--
       (i) In general.--All final appraisals, appraisal reviews, 
     and determinations of value for land to be exchanged under 
     this Act shall be available for public review at the Utah 
     State Office of the Bureau of Land Management at least 30 
     days before the conveyance of the applicable parcels.
       (ii) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish in a 
     newspaper of general circulation in Salt Lake County, Utah, a 
     notice that the appraisals are available for public 
     inspection.
       (c) Equalization of Values.--
       (1) Surplus of non-federal land.--If after completion of 
     the appraisal and dispute resolution process under subsection 
     (b), the value of the non-Federal land exceeds the value of 
     the Federal land the Secretary shall, in partial exchange for 
     the non-Federal land, provide for payment to the State of the 
     amount necessary to equalize values from funds made available 
     under the special account established by subsection 
     (b)(4)(C). The State shall be entitled to receive a 
     reasonable rate of interest at a rate equivalent to a five-
     year Treasury note on the balance of the value owed by the 
     United States from the effective date of the exchange until 
     full value is received by the State.
       (2) Surplus of federal land.--If after completion of the 
     appraisal and dispute resolution process under subsection 
     (b), the value of the Federal land exceeds the value of the 
     non-Federal land, the value of the Federal land and non-
     Federal land may be equalized by--
       (A) the Secretary, after consultation with the State, 
     removing parcels of Federal land from the exchange until the 
     value is equal; or
       (B) the Secretary and the State adding additional State 
     trust land to the non-Federal land, if--
       (i) the additional land has been appraised in accordance 
     with an ongoing Federal acquisition process or program; and
       (ii) the appraised value (as determined under clause (i)) 
     has been accepted by the Secretary.
       (3) Notice and public inspection.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary and the State determine 
     to add or remove land from the exchange, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (i) publish in a newspaper of general circulation in Salt 
     Lake County, Utah, a notice that identifies when and where a 
     revised exchange map will be available for public inspection; 
     and
       (ii) transmit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the 
     House of Representatives a copy of the revised exchange map.
       (B) Limitation.--The Secretary and the State shall not add 
     or remove land from the exchange until at least 20 days after 
     the date on which the notice is published under subparagraph 
     (A)(i) and the map is transmitted under subparagraph (A)(ii).
       (d) Resource Report.--
       (1) In general.--With respect to each parcel of Federal 
     land to be conveyed to the State, the Secretary shall prepare 
     a report, based on land management plans, resource 
     inventories, and surveys existing on the date on which the 
     report is prepared, that identifies any significant resource 
     values, issues, or management concerns associated with the 
     parcel.
       (2) Notice and inspection.--A report shall be subject to 
     the public notice and inspection in accordance with 
     subsection (b)(6)(D).

     SEC. 6. STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND AFTER EXCHANGE.

       (a) Administration of Non-Federal Land.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and in accordance 
     with section 206(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
     Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(c)), the non-Federal land 
     acquired by the United States under this Act shall become 
     part of, and be managed as part of, the Federal 
     administrative unit or area in which the land is located.
       (2) Mineral leasing and occupancy.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, the non-
     Federal land acquired by the United States under this Act 
     shall be withdrawn from the operation of the mineral leasing 
     and mineral material disposal laws until the later of--
       (i) the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of 
     this Act; or
       (ii) the date on which the Record of Decision authorizing 
     the implementation of the applicable resource management 
     plans under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is signed.
       (B) Exception.--Any land identified on the maps as 
     ``Withdrawal Parcels'' is withdrawn from the operation of the 
     mineral leasing and mineral material disposal laws.
       (3) Receipts.--
       (A) In general.--Any receipts derived from the non-Federal 
     land acquired under this Act shall be paid into the general 
     fund of the Treasury.
       (B) Applicable law.--Mineral receipts from the non-Federal 
     land acquired under this Act shall not be subject to section 
     35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191).
       (b) Withdrawal of Federal Land Prior to Exchange.--Subject 
     to valid existing rights, during the period beginning on the 
     date of enactment of this Act and ending on the earlier of 
     the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act or the date on which the Federal land is conveyed under 
     this Act, the Federal land is withdrawn from--
       (1) disposition (other than disposition under section 4) 
     under the public land laws;
       (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
       (3) the operation of--
       (A) the mineral leasing laws;
       (B) the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et 
     seq.); and
       (C) the first section of the Act of July 31, 1947 (commonly 
     known as the ``Materials Act of 1947'') (30 U.S.C. 601).
       (c) Grazing Permits.--
       (1) In general.--If land acquired under this Act is subject 
     to a lease, permit, or contract for the grazing of domestic 
     livestock in effect on the date of acquisition, the person or 
     entity acquiring the land shall allow the grazing to continue 
     for the remainder of the term of the lease, permit, or 
     contract, subject to the related terms and conditions of user 
     agreements, including permitted stocking rates, grazing fee 
     levels, access rights, and ownership and use of range 
     improvements.
       (2) Renewal.--To the extent allowed by Federal or State 
     law, on expiration of any grazing lease, permit, or contract 
     described in paragraph (1), the holder of the lease, permit, 
     or contract shall be entitled to a preference right to renew 
     the lease, permit, or contract.
       (3) Cancellation.--
       (A) In general.--Nothing in this Act prevents the Secretary 
     or the State from canceling or modifying a grazing permit, 
     lease, or contract if the land subject to the permit, lease, 
     or contract is sold, conveyed, transferred, or leased for 
     nongrazing purposes by the party.
       (B) Limitation.--Except to the extent reasonably necessary 
     to accommodate surface operations in support of mineral 
     development, the Secretary or the State shall not cancel or 
     modify a grazing permit, lease, or contract because the land 
     subject to the permit, lease, or contract has been leased for 
     mineral development.
       (4) Base properties.--If land conveyed by the State under 
     this Act is used by a grazing permittee or lessee to meet the 
     base property requirements for a Federal grazing permit or 
     lease, the land shall continue to qualify as a base property 
     for the remaining term of the lease or permit and the term of 
     any renewal or extension of the lease or permit.
       (d) Hazardous Materials.--

[[Page 20224]]

       (1) In general.--The Secretary and, as a condition of the 
     exchange, the State shall make available for review and 
     inspection any record relating to hazardous materials on the 
     land to be exchanged under this Act.
       (2) Costs.--The costs of remedial actions relating to 
     hazardous materials on land acquired under this Act shall be 
     paid by those entities responsible for the costs under 
     applicable law.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.

                              {time}  2300

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Utah Regional Land Exchange Act is the culmination 
of years of analysis and negotiations among representatives of Utah's 
State School Trust Lands, the Department of the Interior, locally 
elected officials, environmental groups and Members of Congress.
  Congressman Chris Cannon should be commended for crafting this 
bipartisan legislation that will convey and exchange of over 80,000 
acres of State and Federal lands for recreation, scenic and development 
purposes. This creative and significant exchange will be of great 
benefit to Utah's schools, recreationists, communities, and to all 
Americans who care about the proper care and management of Federal 
lands and in protecting important natural and scenic areas.
  I urge passage of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, the chairman of the subcommittee has adequately 
explained the purpose of the legislation. I would just note, however, 
that the lands involved do lie within the Congressional district 
represented by my good friend and colleague, Jim Matheson from Utah. I 
commend his leadership and involvement in the passage of this 
legislation.
  I would encourage its adoption this evening.
  Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 
2069. I would note that the lands involved lie within the Congressional 
District represented by my colleague, Jim Matheson. The gentleman from 
Utah is to be commended for his advocacy of a land exchange that, as 
amended, is a win-win for all the involved parties.
  Madam Speaker, we appreciate the cooperation shown by the majority, 
the State of Utah, the BLM, and others in addressing issues that 
originally existed with the legislation. We support H.R. 2069, as 
amended, and have no objection to the adoption of the legislation by 
the House today.
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 
2069, the Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005.
  Since statehood, Utah has held lands in trust to generate funds for 
public schools. But they are scattered throughout the State in a 
checkerboard pattern, isolated within federal land holdings. That has 
made it difficult for either the federal land agencies, or the School 
and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, to manage them according 
to their different objectives. Many of the State school trust lands 
have valuable habitat, watershed, and scenic features that shouldn't be 
commercially developed.
  The Bureau of Land Management, meanwhile, owns land in other parts of 
my State that are not as environmentally sensitive and could be 
responsibly developed for the benefit of public schools.
  This legislation proposes a land exchange--State school trust lands 
for BLM lands--that consolidates acreage for ease of management by 
federal land managers, increases the school trust fund balance, and 
preserves sensitive land along the world-renowned Colorado River 
corridor, using an equitable valuation.
  Anyone who has rafted the Colorado River, or taken a mountain-biking 
trip to Moab, understands why these lands need to be open to future 
generations of Americans to enjoy. This legislation would transfer to 
the BLM parcels of State land in Westwater Canyon, the nationally-
recognized Kokopelli and Slickrock trails, multiple wilderness study 
areas, and some of the largest natural rock arches in the U.S.
  This bill is the result of a truly collaborative process with all 
stakeholders at the table. It is supported by the counties, by the 
State of Utah, by the environmental and recreational communities and it 
has evolved with the Department of the Interior's participation.
  I would like to thank Congressman Cannon, all the stakeholders and 
the Resources Committee for working over the past 2 years to develop 
the bipartisan, consensus legislation that we have before us today.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to protect our 
treasured public lands and at the same time support public education in 
Utah.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2069, the 
Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2006, which is also cosponsored 
by Congressman Matheson and Congressman Bishop.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is the culmination of years of hard 
work, compromise, and determination involving the Utah School and 
Institutional Trust Lands Administration, the Counties, the 
environmental community, the recreation community, the Department of 
the Interior and of course the Resources Committee staff.
  H.R. 2069 authorizes the exchange of approximately 45,000 acres of 
Utah State school trust lands within and near Utah's Colorado River 
corridor for approximately 40,000 acres of Federal lands in eastern 
Utah. This is an equal value exchange that guarantees that the school 
children of Utah will finally benefit from lands they own.
  The Colorado River Corridor is a uniquely scenic area that includes 
such treasures as the Corona and Morning Glory arches, the Westwater 
wilderness study area, the Kokopelli and Slickrock trails, the 
watershed for Castle Valley, the Sand Wash rafting site, and thousands 
of other acres of red rock beauty. H.R. 2069 will transfer these lands, 
which are owned by Utah's school children, to the Bureau of Land 
Management.
  Congress established Utah's school trust lands upon statehood for the 
specific purpose of generating income for Utah's school system. 
Therefore, in exchange for these beautiful areas, Utah's school 
children will receive mineral development lands in eastern Utah to 
provide a much needed revenue stream for the Utah school system.
  H.R. 2069 is a balanced piece of legislation that will allow the 
Bureau of Land Management to fulfill its management mandates along the 
Colorado River as well as benefit Utah's school children. Revenue from 
Utah school trust lands--whether from grazing, surface leasing, mineral 
development or sale--will be placed in the State School Fund, which is 
a permanent income-producing endowment for the support of Utah's public 
education system.
  H.R. 2069 is an equal value exchange that sets out a transparent and 
fair appraisal process. Appraisals will be conducted by jointly 
selected independent appraisers and pursuant to established law and 
regulations. The Federal Government will retain its current interest in 
the minerals conveyed to the State and those revenues will be utilized 
to purchase lands in Utah in the future. The bill also includes public 
notice provisions to insure that the public is aware of the status of 
the exchange process.
  Madam Speaker, as you are aware, Utah has a long history of working 
hard to consolidate our school trust lands in a way that allows us to 
fund our public education system. We are confident and hopeful that 
H.R. 2069 acts as a blueprint for future exchanges so the people of 
Utah can continue to receive the revenue they were promised upon 
becoming a state.
  I would like to take a moment to thank the staff that worked on this 
bill. Personally, I would like to thank from the Committee on 
Resources: Doug Crandall, Matt Miller and Todd Willens of Chairman 
Pombo's staff, and Jim Zoia and Rick Healy of Mr. Rahall's staff; from 
the Leader's office Anne Thorsen, Greg Maurer and Jay Cranford; and 
from my staff Rachel Dresen for all their work on this legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to support this exchange which is a win for 
America's Federal lands and is a win for Utah's school system.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Foxx). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2069, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.

[[Page 20225]]

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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