To remove a use restriction on land formerly a part of Acadia National Park that was transferred to the town of Tremont, Maine, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4527) to remove a use restriction on land formerly a part of Acadia National Park that was transferred to the town of Tremont, Maine, and for other purposes.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, enacted in 1950, Public Law 81-629 permitted the National Park Service to convey property, formerly part of Acadia National Park, to the town of Tremont, Maine, to build a new school.

In 1951, the Secretary of the Interior completed the conveyance of approximately 8 acres with a clause that specified the land would revert back to the United States if it was not used exclusively for school purposes.

Tremont is now consolidating schools with a nearby town, and the property will no longer be used for the original intended purpose. However, Tremont would like to retain ownership and continue to use the developed property in the best interest of the community.

H.R. 4527 removes the requirement that the land be used exclusively and perpetually for school purposes, allowing Tremont to use the property to the maximum benefit of its residents.

The Natural Resources Committee has consistently sought to assist local communities in gaining control of property within their boundaries by freeing them from Federal interference. Communities around the country would benefit significantly and immediately if the example of H.R. 4527 was replicated by Congress.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. As you heard, this legislation would allow the town of Tremont,

Maine, to continue to use public land that has been continuously maintained for more than six decades.

In 1950, Congress transferred a parcel of land from Acadia National Park to the Town of Tremont so the town could build and maintain a school. Unfortunately, what might have been best for the Park Service and the community in 1950 might not be best for either in 2014.

Due to demographic changes, Tremont has explored the possibility of merging its elementary school with another in a neighboring town. Under the terms of the original agreement, if Tremont were to stop using the land for school purposes, the land would be transferred back to the Federal Government.

Complicating the situation is legislation passed by Congress in 1986 that established a permanent boundary for Acadia National Park. The permanent boundary did not include the tract of land containing the school. As a result, any changes in usage would require transfer to the General Services Administration.

This legislation would simply remove any restriction on the land, which would allow the community to continue utilizing the land as it sees fit. Acadia National Park supports this legislation; GSA has no objection.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank Chairmen Hastings and Bishop and Ranking Members DeFazio and Grijalva for their support for this remedy of this issue, and I would like to thank the committees on both sides of the aisle for supporting this issue.

I urge my colleagues to adopt it.

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 town of Tremont, Maine, was granted a parcel of Federal land to build a school in 1950. The town, which is adjacent to Acadia National Park, no longer needs the parcel for school purposes and would like to be able to consider other uses.

H.R. 4527 will remove the restrictions on the parcel, and its passage is a priority for the town and the bill's sponsor, Mr. Michaud of Maine. I would like to thank and congratulate my colleague from Maine for his work on this bill on behalf of his constituents.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), the sponsor of the legislation.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time also.