Wabeno Economic Development Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3937) to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3937, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Wabeno Economic Development Act. This bill will expedite the conveyance of 14 acres from the Forest Service to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, for fair market value.

Tony's is a small ready-mix company that has supplied the surrounding community with concrete for more than 25 years. The company's concrete has been used to build homes, fire and rescue buildings, shops, offices, and even barns for local farmers.

Tony's first began working with the Forest Service on a land exchange proposal more than 8 years ago. However, the agency made it clear the project was not a priority and lacked the resources to complete it.

Wabeno is located in Forest County, where roughly 50 percent of the land is federally owned and only about 10 percent of the land is fully taxable, so there is limited private land available for small business expansion.

We often talk up here about how important infrastructure is. Here is a small business that helps infrastructure projects throughout northern Wisconsin. This is a prime example of a business that helps build America. Without this parcel, Tony's Redi-Mix will run out of the necessary aggregates it needs to produce concrete in about the next 2 years.

This bill will keep this important business in operation and, with it, the 17 hardworking people it currently employs.

Wabeno is a small town with a population of just over 1,100 people. Mr. Speaker, 17 jobs may not seem like a big deal to people from the big cities, but I can assure my colleagues the jobs and economic benefits provided by this small business are critically important to this rural community.

This important conveyance will provide much-needed economic growth and jobs for people in Wabeno and Forest County. It has strong local support, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to make sure Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix stays in business for years to come.

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

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, July 17, 2025.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 3937, the ``Wabeno Economic

Development Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the

Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our

jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you

support such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 3937 and request a

copy of our letters on this matter be published in the

Congressional Record during Floor consideration.

Sincerely,

Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) for her support in regard to this for the last two sessions of the Natural Resources Committee and getting this to the floor and for her help in accomplishing this.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that supports rural jobs, strengthens local economies, and improves how we manage our Federal lands.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3937 today. Again, I hope the Senate moves quickly to advance this important piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, 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. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3937, legislation introduced by my colleague from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).

This bill would authorize the conveyance of 14 acres of National Forest System land to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, a concrete company based in northern Wisconsin.

The land is located in a national forest, and the Forest Service determined that the land is suitable for conveyance to private ownership. The costs associated with the conveyance will be covered by the company, and the property will be conveyed at market value as determined by Federal appraisal.

In addition to the conveyance, the bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct and publish a comprehensive review of the Federal permitting process for the development of stone, sand, and gravel on Federal lands.

This review will include descriptions of the Federal permitting process for stone, sand, and gravel development. It will also include an analysis of potential inefficiencies and recommendations for administrative or legislative action, as well as a summary of economic impacts associated with the current permitting process.

Although the Committee on Natural Resources has not held a hearing on this bill in the 119th Congress, a hearing was held last year, providing the Forest Service with an opportunity to comment on and evaluate the proposal.

This is a critical component of the legislative process that ensures decisions about the administration of our national forests and public lands are made out in the open. These shared resources belong to all Americans, and regular order ensures transparency, something which all of our constituents deserve.

I know that as chair of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, Representative Tiffany understands and embraces this sentiment. I thank and congratulate him on continuing to move this bill forward in an open and objective manner.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.