To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to maintain or replace certain facilities and structures for commercial recreation services at Smith Gulch in Idaho, and for other purposes.

I thank the gentleman from Alaska for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4283, which is intended to authorize the use of maintenance equipment and the replacement of some outdated and potentially hazardous energy facilities at the River of No Return Lodge in Smith Gulch on the Salmon River in Idaho.

As it currently sits, the River of No Return Lodge is a small outfitter on the Salmon River that provides a unique recreational experience operating under a Forest Service permit.

Unfortunately, the Forest Service does not believe it has clear authorization to permit the use of necessary maintenance or replacement of facilities. This proposed bill is an effort to clarify Congress' intent in legislation passed in 2004 to retain the basic characteristics of the lodge without substantially altering the existing use.

This legislation makes it clear that the owners of the lodge are authorized to use weed trimmers, chainsaws, and other maintenance equipment needed for the general upkeep of the lodge.

It also will allow the outfitter to reduce or eliminate his reliance on propane fuel and replace it with modest renewable energy sources. I believe H.R. 4283 keeps recreational opportunities available on our public lands, while maintaining the ability to keep our lands in even better shape for future generations of Americans. The Congressional Budget Office has also scored this bill at no cost to the taxpayer.

It should be noted that a few small changes were made during the markup of H.R. 4283 to address both the technical corrections and concerns raised by interested parties. The bill, as amended, has been crafted with the sentiments of both the Idaho Conservation League and The Wilderness Society in mind.

We trust that the Forest Service will faithfully grant authorization for the maintenance and replacement activities without the burden of unreasonable environmental review costs.

I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation that has been carefully crafted with the stakeholders' views in mind, so the operator of the River of No Return Lodge can perform the fundamental maintenance and replace outdated energy sources needed to carry out this small business with respect to the existing law.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4283) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to maintain or replace certain facilities and structures for commercial recreation services at Smith Gulch in Idaho, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, timely action on this bill will allow the Forest Service to implement an earlier congressional action intended to allow continued operation of certain commercial recreational services and facilities at Smith Gulch in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho.

Although Congress amended the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2004 to direct the Forest Service to allow established uses and occupancy at Smith Gulch Lodge, the Forest Service believes it needs additional authority to allow the lodge to use power equipment, such as gas generators, mowers, and other equipment needed for routine maintenance and for improvements, such as an in-stream hydroelectric water wheel for renewable energy. H.R. 4283 would authorize limited use of such equipment for the general upkeep of the lodge.

Congressman Simpson should be commended for his attention to this matter, and I urge adoption of this commonsense bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).

Mr. Speaker, I can only compliment the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) for his work on this legislation, and it is a practical solution to a problem. Again, I agree with him.

I hope that there is an expedited process which we can fulfill our obligations to this lodge owner and, of course, the intent of the act itself and that the Congress had intended so this could continue.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that, I demand the yeas and nays.

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

(Mr. LOWENTHAL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the lodge at Smith Gulch is located within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in the State of Idaho. It is a popular destination for visitors and offers recreational opportunities for people in a spectacular natural setting.

H.R. 4283 will allow the lodge owners to carry out very specific maintenance activities necessary to keep the lodge operating. I support this legislation.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.