Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2006

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., to receive testimony on the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on Wednesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. to consider pending calender business.

Agenda

Agenda Item 3: S. 476--To authorize the Boy Scouts of America to exchange certain land in the State of Utah acquired under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.

Agenda Item 8: S. 1131--To authorize the exchange of certain Federal land within the State of Idaho, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 9: S. 1288--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System.

Agenda Item 10: S. 1346--To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of maritime sites in the State of Michigan.

Agenda Item 11: S. 1378--To amend the National Historic Preservation Act to provide appropriation authorization and improve the operations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Agenda Item 13: S. 1913--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 14: S. 1970--To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 15: S. 2197--To improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the Department of Energy, and to provide support for mathematics and science education at all levels through the resources available through the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories.

Agenda Item 16: S. 2253--To require the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing.

Agenda Item 17: S. Con. Res. 60--Designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Agenda Item 18: S.J. Res. 28--Approving the location of the commemorative work in the District of Columbia honoring former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Agenda Item 19: H.R. 318--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 20: H.R. 326 (S. 505)--To amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

Agenda Item 21: H.R. 409 (S. 179)--To provide for the exchange of land within the Sierra National Forest, CA, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 23: H.R. 1129 (S. 100)--To authorize the exchange of certain land in the State of Colorado.

Agenda Item 24: H.R. 1728 (S. 323)--To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the French Colonial Heritage Area in the State of Missouri as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 25: H.R. 2107--To amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the use of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, and for other purposes.

Agenda Item 26: H.R. 3443 (S. 1498)--To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.

In addition, the Committee may turn to any other measures that are ready for consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on

Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Taking a checkup on the nation's health care tax policy: a prognosis''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m. to hold a hearing on Nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations' Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on The Impact on Latin America of the American Servicemembers' Protection Act.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions meet in executive session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m. in SD-430.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing titled, ``Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 2078, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments of 2005.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Senate Dirksen Building Room 226.

Agenda

I. Nominations: Steven G. Bradbury to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel; John F. Clark to be Director of the United States Marshals Service; Donald J. DeGabrielle, Jr. to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas; John Charles Richter to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma; Amul R. Thapar to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Mauricio J. Tamargo to be Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States.

II. Bills: S. , Comprehensive Immigration Reform [Chairman's Mark]; S. 1768, a bill to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings; Specter, Leahy, Cornyn, Grassley, Schumer, Feingold, Durbin; S. 829, Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2005; Grassley, Schumer, Cornyn, Leahy, Feingold, Durbin, Graham, DeWine, Specter; S. 489, Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act; Alexander, Kyl, Cornyn, Graham, Hatch; S. 2039, Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2005; Durbin, Specter, DeWine, Leahy, Kennedy, Feinstein, Feingold; S. 2292, A bill to provide relief for the Federal judiciary from excessive rent charges; Specter, Leahy, Cornyn, Feinstein, Biden.

III. Matters: S.J. Res. 1, Marriage Protection Amendment; Allard, Sessions, Kyl, Hatch, Cornyn, Coburn, Brownback.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 8, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed briefing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. for a hearing regarding ``Crime Victims Fund Rescission: Real Savings or Budget Gimmick?''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on March 8, 2006, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on ``Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development be authorized to meet on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., on the ``Impact of Piracy and Counterfeiting of American Goods and Intellectual Property in China.''

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

Mr. Speaker, I obviously rise in support of this bill which I introduced, and which is cosponsored by my colleague from Colorado (Mr. Salazar). I want to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Tom Udall for making it possible for this bill to be on the floor today.

The bill provides for completion of the land exchange that involves Pitkin County, Colorado, on the one hand and two Federal agencies, the Forest Service and the BLM, on the other.

Under the exchange, the County will transfer two parcels to the Forest Service, a 5-acre tract known as the Ryan property, near the ghost town of Ashcroft; and in addition, about 18.2 acres on Smuggler Mountain near Aspen, Colorado. These acquisitions will complete the Ashcroft Preservation Project, which was initiated by the Forest Service in 1980 to consolidate its National Forest land ownership in and around the historic ghost town of Ashcroft.

They will also help the Forest Service better manage its lands on Smuggler Mountain, a heavily used recreational area directly above the City of Aspen.

In return, the Federal Government will transfer to the County; first, a 5.5 acre tract south of Aspen known as the Wildwood parcel, which the county in turn will transfer to private ownership after reserving a permanent public easement for a trail.

Second, nearly 6 acres, spread over 12 scattered locations on Smuggler Mountain that abut or are near lands owned by the county.

And, finally, a 40-acre tract of BLM land along the Crystal River, which will be subject to a permanent conservation easement limiting future use to recreational, fish and wildlife, and open-space purposes.

The bill, Mr. Speaker, requires standard appraisals of all properties involved. It provides that if the lands going to the county are worth less than what the county is giving to the Federal Government, the county will waive additional payment. On the other hand, if the lands provided by the county are worth less than those the county is to receive, the county will either pay cash to equalize or convey an additional tract of about 160 acres in the Sellers' Meadow area near Hagerman Pass to make up the difference.

A similar measure, Senate bill 100, has been introduced by Colorado's Senators. I think the bill is fair and balanced, and I am not aware of any controversy connected with it. I urge its passage.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the leadership and energy of my colleague from the west slope of Colorado (Mr. Salazar), who represents this beautiful part of our State, are a key part of why this bill is in front us today, and I want to commend him for his involvement and ask the other body to take this up with dispatch.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1129, the Pitkin County Land Exchange Act and to express my thanks to Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall for making it possible for the House to consider it today.

The bill provides for completion of a land exchange that involves Pitkin County, Colorado, on the one hand and two federal agencies--the Forest Service and BLM--on the other.

Under the exchange, the county will transfer two parcels to the Forest Service--a 35-acre tract known as the ``Ryan property'' near the ghost town of Ashcroft; and addition about 18.2 acres of patented mining claims on Smuggler Mountain near Aspen, Colorado.

In return, the Federal Government would transfer to the county--

A 5.5 acre tract south of Aspen known as the ``Wildwood'' parcel, which the county will transfer to private ownership after reserving a permanent public easement for a trail;

About 5.92 acres in 12 scattered locations on Smuggler Mountain that abut or are near lands now owned by the county;

And, finally, a 40-acre tract of BLM land along the Crystal River, which will be subject to a permanent conservation easement limiting future use to recreational, fish and wildlife, and open space purposes.

The bill requires standard appraisals of all properties involved. It provides that if the lands going to the county are worth less than what the county is giving to the Federal Government, the county will waive additional payment, while if the lands provide by the county are worth less than those the county is to receive, the county will either pay cash to equalize or will convey an additional tract of about 160 acres, in the Sellers' Meadow area near Hagerman Pass, to make up the difference.

The Resources Committee made some technical changes suggested by the administration and the county and the House passed the bill as so amended last year.

On September 29th, the Senate by unanimous consent passed an amended version of the House-passed bill, adding some provisions regarding public access to and future use of the lands to be acquired by the county and making a number of other, technical changes.

The Senate's changes are consistent with the original intent of the legislation and are acceptable to the county. Accordingly, I urge the House to concur in the Senate amendment and so to send the bill to the President for signing into law.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1129) to authorize the exchange of certain land in the State of Colorado.

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

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

H.R. 1129, introduced by Representative Mark Udall, would authorize a small land exchange in Pitkin County, Colorado, between the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and Pitkin County. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives on December 6, 2005, but was recently amended by the Senate. The amendment simply removed a provision of the bill encumbering the land known as the Crystal River parcel with a conservation easement.

The remaining portion of the bill would transfer 35 acres, once part of the Ryan Ranch in the White River National Forest to the Forest Service. This property is nearly surrounded by public land and valued by the community as open space. In exchange, Pitkin County would acquire 5.5 acres known as the Wildwood parcel from the Forest Service and a total of 45.92 acres from the Bureau of Land Management consisting of mining claims and land along the Crystal River.

The exchange is strongly supported by local officials and would help to consolidate public and private ownership in Pitkin County.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1129) to authorize the exchange of certain land in the State of Colorado, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1129, introduced by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall), would authorize a small land exchange in Pitkin County, Colorado, between the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and Pitkin County. The bill would transfer 35 acres, once a part of the Ryan Ranch, in White River National Forest, to the Forest Service. This property is nearly surrounded by public land and valued by the communities as open space. In exchange, the county would acquire 5.5 acres known as the Wildwood parcel from the Forest Service and a total of 45.92 acres from the Bureau of Land Management consisting of mining claims and land along the Crystal River. The BLM parcels abut county land, and the Crystal River land will be subject to permanent conservation easement for public access.

The exchange is strongly supported by local officials and would help consolidate public and private ownership of Pitkin County.

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.