To amend Public Law 99-338 to authorize the continued use of certain lands within the Sequoia National Park by portions of an existing hydroelectric project, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3932) to amend Public Law 99-338 to authorize the continued use of certain lands within the Sequoia National Park by portions of an existing hydroelectric project, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3932, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes) and amended by the Committee on Resources, would amend Public Law 99-338 to authorize the continued use of certain lands within the Sequoia National Park by portions of an existing hydroelectric project.

The legislation would provide the authority necessary for Southern California Edison Company to continue operating the Kaweah hydroelectric project partly located in the park until the year 2016, with an option to extend until 2026. The bill also requires the company to pay the park compensation, which shall be determined in consultation with the Secretary.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3932, as amended, is supported by the majority and the minority of the Committee on Resources and by the administration. I urge adoption of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes), the author of this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 3932. While it is unusual to have a hydroelectric facility in a national park, this is a nearly 100-year-old use that has been and will continue to be held to a very high standard to ensure that there is no degradation of park resources.

The National Park Service supports this legislation, as amended, and we appreciate the willingness of the majority to work with us to see that high standards for the use of national parks

are maintained and that the park is adequately compensated for this use of park resources.

We support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by expressing my thanks to the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) and their staff for their hard work on this legislation, H.R. 3932.

This bill is a simple maintenance of the law which has to be accomplished every 20 years to renew the Secretary of the Interior's authority to issue permits for the operation of a hydroelectric power facility in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. This facility was built over 100 years ago and continues to generate power today. If this authority is not renewed, power generation would be halted. This bill is critical, and I urge quick passage.

Again, I offer thanks to the Committee on Resources for moving this bill quickly to the floor.