Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 4,400 rural schools who will lose funding and the counties and the forests of America, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture and Resources be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6423) to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and to offset the cost of payments to States and counties under such Act, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable lady and tremendous public servant who hails from the quaint town of Condon, Oregon--Laura Pryor. For as long as I can remember, folks in Gilliam County have fondly referred to her as ``Judge Pryor'' as she is the chief steward of the county. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me as we thank Judge Pryor for the countless contributions she has made to Gilliam County and the state of Oregon during 19 years of public service.

Born and raised in San Diego County, Judge Pryor rode her horse to school up until the second grade. Her childhood instilled in her a love for the rural countryside and rural way of life. Over 30 years ago, as her California community began to develop and be paved, Laura decided to move her four children to Oregon to avoid the urban sprawl in preference for a country setting where neighbors still offer their help without thinking about it. After briefly serving at the Oregon Department of Economic Development, she met a third-generation wheat farmer, married him and moved to his hometown of Condon, population 750. Within two years, the governor appointed her to fill a vacant seat on the county commission. Gilliam County is one of seven in Oregon where the top official is titled ``county judge,'' and has responsibility over some judicial functions in addition to chairing the county commission. Laura has been ably steering Gilliam County from the judge's seat for 19 years.

Mr. Speaker, Gilliam County is in the heart of the Columbia Plateau where the economy is largely agrarian and the towns are quietly settled away from the main thoroughfares. With a population of approximately 1,900, the county encompasses nearly 1.6 square miles for every person. The county courthouse sits 250 miles away from the state capital in Salem, and nearly 3,000 miles from our nation's capital here in Washington, D.C. The region needs an effective and assertive voice to be heard, and Judge Pryor has delivered just that the past two decades.

It is through Laura's first-hand experiences in life and in representing rural Oregonians that she became such a strong advocate for farmers, ranchers, and small business owners

in small and rustic communities all across the West. Judge Pryor has worked tirelessly at the state and federal level to ensure attention to basic services such as education and health care in small towns. She's worked hard to maintain funding for county roads while promoting and encouraging economic development and commerce within the county.

Mr. Speaker, I have had the joy to work closely with Laura on numerous issues through the years, and know well the deep devotion she brings to her job each and every day in representing her fellow citizens in Gilliam County. It is this devotion that propelled a county effort to construct a Grain Quality Lab that has enabled area wheat growers to become more competitive in the global marketplace by enhancing quality and productivity. I was honored to help her in this endeavor, and will be visiting this topnotch facility next month She has also been a strong proponent for renewable energy efforts and has worked to locate wind farms within the county for an additional tax base and source of revenue.

While it is very difficult to choose Judge Pryor's most memorable accomplishments, many would say it has been her successful effort to unite rural Oregon as one voice. Laura's leadership among her elected peers led to the establishment of the Eastern Oregon Rural Alliance, which joins government officials with residents from all across the vast territory of eastern Oregon in advocacy for rural issues. Her efforts ultimately led to the creation of the Office of Rural Policy, which was established by the state of Oregon to examine how state policies impact rural communities and act as an advisory branch to the state legislature and the governor.

Mr. Speaker, my remarks illustrate but a few of the tremendous accomplishments Judge Pryor has made during her distinguished career. I appreciate my colleagues joining me today in congratulating Judge Laura Pryor, an extraordinary lady and great American. I wish Laura and her husband, Earl, many years of continued happiness and success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you my pride and deep gratitude for a group of people who have truly made a difference in our battle against the illegal drug trade that threatens the very fabric of American society.

As you know, Mexican drug cartels have recently been operating large scale marijuana growing and processing operations in our National Forests, National Parks, and Bureau of Land Management lands. Growing marijuana and conducting illegal drug activities on our public lands is nothing new. What is new is the extremely large scale of the operations, the heavily armed growers, and the aggressive resistance toward law enforcement. With assault rifles and booby traps, these criminals, the majority of whom are in this country illegally, are fearlessly intent on protecting a collective enterprise that grosses billions of dollars each year. They have made parts of our public lands, traditionally used for recreation and hunting, unsafe to visit.

Because of sophisticated growing techniques which employ drip irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and lethal pesticide compounds, these operations inflict serious damage on the environment. Furthermore, these operations are intertwined with the trade and manufacture of other illegal drugs such as meth, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy.

Mr. Speaker, these criminal operations are attracted to public lands not only because of their remote locations, but also because our federal land agencies have very small law enforcement forces. They were never designed to combat crime on such a massive scale. Who then can draw a powerful line in the sand and both force the invading cartels away from our public lands and protect the public from them and the scourge of drugs they produce?

In my district, this challenge has been taken up by a coalition of local law enforcement professionals who have voluntarily formed task forces large enough to disrupt these enormous operations and send a message that such criminal activity will not be tolerated. They have let the cartels know with certainty that they will pay dearly if they operate in our back yard.

To challenge such a formidable criminal enterprise, it takes intelligence, bravery, and an unselfish sense of purpose. I have witnessed all of those characteristics displayed in exemplary fashion in southern Oregon and northern California. In the past few weeks, a task force of over 175 people and 19 agencies, led by Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters and Siskiyou County Sheriff Rick Riggins, dealt a telling blow on the cartels' illicit activities on our public lands.

In a series of well-timed and meticulously executed raids on both sides of the Oregon/California border, this amazing group of dedicated individuals eradicated 27.6 tons of marijuana from our public lands in a matter of a few days! They removed well over $320,000,000 from the drug trade and forcefully sent the message to the cartels that they will not be able to do business as usual in southern Oregon and northern California.

Mr. Speaker, it is not hard to imagine the work and commitment involved in assembling so many able and dedicated people from municipal, county, state, and federal agencies. With no single law enforcement agency large enough to handle the task, these dedicated law enforcement professionals and volunteers formed to combat a common enemy that was dealing massive amounts of drugs and creating mayhem on our forest landscape. Driven by sense of duty, respect for the law, and a commitment to protect the public, they got the job done.

Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, I am very proud and appreciative of what these outstanding people have done for us. I know that all of my colleagues join me today in saluting their stellar performance. We are honored to extend to them the gratitude of our entire nation.

Please join me in congratulating these agencies and individuals for a job well done. We owe them so much for their sacrifice and dedication.

Jackson County Sheriffs Office, Jackson County Search and Rescue, Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team (JACNET), Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office S.W.A.T., Douglas County Sheriffs Office D.I.N.T., Klamath Falls Police Department S.W.A.T., Josephine County Sheriffs Office, Shady Cove Police Department, Bureau of Land Management, Law Enforcement Section, United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement Section, Oregon State Police, SWAT and MRT Units, US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), Drug Enforcement Agency, Medford Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, S.W.A.T., Portland Police Bureau, S.W.A.T., Jackson County Fire District #3, and Oregon Department of Forestry.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

As the chairman knows, I support the fact that citizens should have the right to vote and that the citizens' vote should be counted, and the way to do that is to prove your citizenship. That is what American elections are all about, so we do not have people here illegally who are voting.

My concern with this legislation applies specifically to my State of Oregon, which is entirely vote by mail, and the provisions contained in this bill before us today give me some pause. And I would like to know that I have the chairman's support in working with us in a conference to address these issues.

In my district, 70,000 square miles, if every voter every time has to photocopy their ID and put it with a ballot that they send in, it raises some issues. I think there are other ways to guarantee that only citizens get ballots to vote, and I would appreciate your support in trying to address that issue in conference.

I appreciate that commitment, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5025) to protect for future generations the recreational opportunities, forests, timber, clean water, wilderness and scenic values, and diverse habitat of Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, 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 the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present to the House the Mount Hood Stewardship Legacy Act. I want to thank Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo for his support of this legislation and his assistance in our work to move it forward at this time. I also want to express my appreciation to my Oregon colleagues, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Darlene Hooley for their work on the Mount Hood Stewardship Legacy Act, H.R. 5025.

Together, we have crafted a bipartisan, locally written and widely supported plan to protect the special places on Mount Hood for future generations to enjoy, while working to improve access, recreation, forest health and watersheds. We have worked with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to fulfill treaty trust obligations and we have worked with local interests to resolve a nearly 30-year battle over development in the Upper Hood River Valley. This measure comes to the floor today in shape to become law at any time.

I want to thank Earl Blumenauer for his leadership in starting this process nearly 3 years ago when he suggested that he and I could work together to consider the issues and pressures facing Oregon's icon, Mount Hood. Perhaps because our history goes back to the 1970s, we were able to rekindle a little bit of that Oregon spirit and dream by working together to develop a shared vision for Mount Hood, using a very public and collaborative process.

I appreciate the detailed analysis that the Forest Service has put into carefully reviewing the Mount Hood Stewardship Legacy Act. Likewise, I appreciate the technical comments from groups like the American Forest Resource Council, the Campaign For America's Wilderness and American Rivers, the State of Oregon and the five county governments that are directly impacted by what takes place in the Mount Hood National Forest.

Colleagues, H.R. 5025 is a balanced plan that not only protects extraordinary places for future generations, but also will lead to improved forest health conditions across a broad region of a forest that, frankly, in some areas is in trouble. Our measure seeks to protect water quality and quantity, while enhancing recreational opportunities for an ever-growing population. We address transportation needs and encourage continued public collaboration.

The current version of the bill we will discuss here today is draft number 10 and was drafted from a concept paper presented to the public in two forums in December of 2005, one in Hood River, Oregon, and one in Portland, Oregon. The concept paper was drafted following two public summits which drew about 250 participants each. They specified or looked at challenges facing the Mount Hood National Forest conducted in August of 2003 and 2004. And we had a 2-day roundtable discussion at Timberline Lodge in July of 2005 where we had 50 key stakeholders. Then we followed that up with a 41-mile backpacking trip just about a year ago.

When approved by the Congress, this legislation will provide the largest addition of forest wilderness to America's inventory in the last 3 years, the first additional wilderness classification on Mount Hood in the last 22 years and a 40 percent increase over existing designations. It will resolve a 30-year-old land management dispute in the Hood River Valley, and it designates 26 miles of wild and scenic rivers. It also calls for improved forest health conditions across a landscape that is in trouble.

But let me be very clear about our intent for this legislation. We intend it to increase the amount of wilderness, but we intend that that adhere strictly to the 1964 Wilderness Act, increase the amount of Wild and Scenic Rivers on the Mount Hood National Forest, while in total agreement that these designations not reduce the amount of land that is specifically identified for timber emphasis harvest nor would they deliberately result in future land management conflicts.

If recreational activities, such as snowmobiling, were to take place within view or earshot of a wilderness, then that activity would still be allowed to continue.

Any landowners with private inholdings incorporated by the designations would be granted full access to their lands, although we don't believe there are any.

We require the Forest Service to develop and implement through existing authorities a 10-year assessment to address bug-infested, disease-ridden and heavily overstocked trees and to take action using site-specific, environmentally reviewed, and publicly noticed projects to improve these areas to the optimum condition class.

Where memorandums of understanding or legislative authorities do not currently exist between irrigation districts or municipalities and the Forest Service, the Forest Service would be directed to enter into MOUs that outline stewardship goals to manage watersheds for water quality and water quantity.

Existing development footprints are the best places to enhance recreational opportunities and maximize future potential. These areas could potentially include the footprints of Government Camp, Ski Bowl, Timberline, Mount Hood Meadows, and lands allocated A-11 under the approved forest plan. Also if there are roads slated to be closed, they should be considered for other recreational uses.

Establish a recreation working group comprised of local stakeholders to advise the Forest Service on planning for future recreational enhancements.

Develop an integrated transportation network that brings people to and from Mount Hood National Forest and safely transports people from place to place on the mountain.

We would require the Forest Service to enter into MOUs with Native American Tribes to provide for huckleberry picking and other customary and traditional harvesting of ``first foods'' to ensure healthy stands of huckleberries and other traditional plant species.

We encourage cooperation with Mount Hood's local communities, counties, the State, the Tribes, and Federal land agencies to identify common ground, coordinate planning efforts around the mountain and make the Federal Government a better partner in building cooperative and lasting solutions.

Last summer, Earl and I made history as probably the only bipartisan backpacking duo in the Congress to make the journey around Mount Hood. Over the course of 4 days and 3 nights, we hiked 41 miles, climbed and descended 9,000 feet, and along the way saw firsthand the mountain from every perspective, including the one my ancestors saw 161 years ago this fall when they completed their wagon train journey to the proposed land of Oregon.

It is in this spirit of promise for a better future, nurtured by an on-the-ground appreciation, that we bring you this legislation and ask for your support.

Finally, I will include for the Congressional Record an exchange between Congressman Pombo of the Resources Committee and Chairman Goodlatte of the Agriculture Committee. I thank Chairman Goodlatte for his cooperation in helping this bill be considered today.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, July 21, 2006.

Hon. Richard Pombo,

Chairman, Committee on Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for forwarding a draft copy of

H.R. 5025, the Mount Hood Stewardship Legacy Act, which the

Committee on Resources favorably reported. As you know, the

Committee on Agriculture received an additional referral.

Because of your wish to expedite this legislation and the

history of cooperation between our Committees on these

matters, I will agree to discharge H.R. 5025 from further

consideration by the Committee on Agriculture. The Committee

on Agriculture will discharge the bill with the understanding

that discharge does not waive any future jurisdictional claim

over this issue or similar measures. Furthermore, in the

event a conference with the Senate is requested on this

matter, the Committee on Agriculture reserves the right to

seek appointment of conferees.

Again, I am grateful for the cooperative spirit in which

you have worked regarding this matter and others.

Sincerely,

Bob Goodlatte,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I want to thank my colleague from Oregon especially, Congressman Blumenauer. We have had a great partnership over 3 years working on this legislation to bring it to this point, building it from the ground up. And we could not have done it without the very talented staff that he referenced in his remarks, Colby Marshall, Janine Benner and Hillary Barbour. They have just been terrific troopers, helping us every way, and went on the backpack trip with us, but let the record show clearly, we each carried our own packs along the trail. And my wife and son also accompanied us on that backpack trip.

It was a great way to learn about the mountain and see it firsthand. It is truly a remarkable place and great piece of America. I hope others will come and enjoy it as we have.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and ask for your support for this very important and progressive legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 854) to provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe, as amended.

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 such time as I may consume.

H.R. 854 is a bill to provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Benton Paiute Reservation in Northern California, home of Utu Utu Gwaitu Indian Tribe.

H.R. 854 would transfer 240 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management and place that land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. The 240 acres are contiguous to the existing reservation and have been classified as suitable for disposal through the BLM land use planning process.

This acreage is of vital importance to the tribe in its quest for self-sufficiency and to enhance its potential for economic development. Additionally, because of the tribe's strong commitment to a solid economic future based on growth and hard work, the tribal council passed a resolution to prohibit gaming on the 240-acre parcel.

This resolution makes it clear that the tribe will not carry out gaming activities on the land proposed for transfer. I commend the efforts of Congressman McKeon of California, the sponsor of H.R. 854, who has worked diligently since the 104th Congress to see this legislation enacted into law.

I look forward to the support of this House on H.R. 854.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1307) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate portions of the Musconetcong River in the State of New Jersey as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

H.R. 1307 introduced by Congressman Scott Garrett of New Jersey designates two segments of the Musconetcong River, totaling 24.2 miles, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

In 1992, residents of the Lower Musconetcong River Valley formed a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting the river. In 1995, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommended to the National Park Service that the river be included in the nationwide rivers inventory of candidate rivers for wild and scenic designation. Two years later, 18 river municipalities requested that the Park Service study the river for its suitability for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. In June of 2004, the Park Service found portions of the river suitable, and these sections have been included in H.R. 1307. I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1307.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor and privilege to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett), who has put an incredible amount of work into this legislation to bring it forward and has been a dutiful and diligent lawmaker in that respect.

I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey. I would look forward to that opportunity to come see this river that you have spoken so highly of and have now sought to protect in this very special way. We appreciate again your diligence in this effort in bringing this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, indeed we have no further speakers, and I would yield back the balance of my time and encourage an ``aye'' vote on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4947) to expand the boundaries of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 such time as I may consume.

I am pleased to support H.R. 4947, introduced by our colleague, Congressman Spencer Bachus, to expand the boundaries of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama. This refuge was legislatively created in 2000, and it has done a remarkable job of conserving 64 rare and imperiled species and 131 species of fish. The Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in the State, and it may have the greatest fish biodiversity per mile of any river in the United States.

Under Congressman Spencer Bachus's legislation, an additional 3,600 acres would become eligible for acquisition. This would help to maximize the benefits of this refuge and ensure that unique plants like the beautiful Cahaba lily and the more than 60 other rare species survive in the future.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4947 proposes a modest increase in the size of the Cahaba River Refuge. It is enthusiastically supported by the local communities and the two major land owners. U.S. Steel and Forest Investment Associates have indicated that they are interested in being willing sellers in this expansion effort.

I want to compliment Congressman Spencer Bachus for his tireless effort and effective leadership on behalf of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, which is a very special place in rural Alabama; and I would urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and encourage our Members to support this very important legislation brought to us by Spencer Bachus.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5057) to authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion, as amended.

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 such time as I may consume.

H.R. 5057 introduced by Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina would authorize the Marion Park Project to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion. General Francis Marion, known as The Swamp Fox, was a Revolutionary War officer from South Carolina. He led a band of irregular fighters in the back- and low-country swamps of South Carolina to fight the British troops under Lord Cornwallis. He is generally credited as the father of guerilla warfare.

Marion Park in the District of Columbia is named after the famous general; however, there is very little recognition of the man himself at the park. The Marion Park Project was established in partnership with the nonprofit Palmetto Conservation Foundation with the goal of placing a monument to General Marion at the park. The group has coordinated this effort with the National Park Service and is now seeking authorization from Congress so the project may move forward. No Federal funds will be authorized for the establishment of the commemorative work, and the Marion Park Project will be responsible for raising the funds.

Finally, I would like to recognize the work of our colleague, Congressman Wilson, and the important contribution of Congressman Henry Brown in bringing this legislation to this House floor today, and I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5057.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 310) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Newlands Project Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District in the State of Nevada.

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 such time as I may consume.

Senate 310, introduced by Senator John Ensign, transfers 35 acres of Federal land to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District. This transfer, which includes the Newlands Project Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility, will allow the irrigation district to make permanent improvements on the property for the continued operations and maintenance of the facility. The bill also stipulates that environmental analyses, including those under the National Environmental Policy Act, must be completed prior to transfer.

Congressman Jim Gibbons is the author of the House companion measure, H.R. 540, which passed the House of Representatives in May of 2005. He should be commended for his work and leadership on this issue. This legislation is a win for the local water users and a win for the American taxpayers.

I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, despite the overwhelming enthusiastic support for this legislation, we have no other speakers at this time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 60) designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

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 such time as I may consume.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 60, introduced by Senator Talent, would designate the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Because of racism and segregation laws that barred African Americans from playing baseball on major league teams in the first half of the 20th century, black baseball players were forced to form their own teams and the first Negro baseball league. Between 1920 and 1955, more than 70 teams played in these leagues. However, by the early 1960s, attendance dropped at Negro league games, and the last of the Negro league teams went out of business. Then, in 1990, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was established in Kansas City, Missouri, to preserve and interpret the history of the Negro leagues.

Although the National Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of baseball's greatest players of all races, the Negro Leagues Museum tells the story of the black athletes who built a successful baseball league.

I urge adoption of the resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I encourage that our Members support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1496) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a pilot program under which up to 15 States may issue electronic Federal migratory bird hunting stamps.

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 such time as I may consume.

I am pleased to support Senate 1496, the Electronic Duck Stamp Act. I would also like to compliment the author of this legislation, Senator Mike Crapo, and the sponsors of the House version, Congressmen Ron Kind and Chip Pickering.

The first Federal duck stamp was issued in 1934. Since that time, hunters and wildlife art enthusiasts have purchased more than 122 million stamps that have produced more than $700 million in revenues. With those funds, the Migratory Bird Commission has conserved more than 5.2 million acres of land that have provided essential habitat for countless migratory birds.

Senate 1496 is a positive step in the right direction of bringing this program into the 21st century. Today, hunters and fishermen throughout the United States can obtain their necessary State licenses online. The Electronic Duck Stamp Act will direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 3-year pilot program by allowing certain States to issue electronic Federal migratory bird stamps.

Under the terms of the bill, the Fish and Wildlife Service will approve the application of any interested States that will include the format of the stamp, a description of any processing fees, the process of delivering the actual printed duck stamp and the issuance of any duplicate stamps. In addition, the legislation contains safeguards to ensure customer satisfaction, the maintenance of traditional stamps and adequate retail availability of the actual stamp.

Senate 1496 is the result of successful negotiations between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the States and conservation organizations. It is a sound bill that will provide customer convenience without undermining the Federal duck stamp program. After the 3-year trial period, Congress can then decide whether to make the electronic duck stamps a permanent fixture.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on Senate 1496.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) for a colloquy.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's question.

The CBO does estimate, indeed, that the implementing legislation would cost the Federal Government $750,000 over the next 3 years, assuming the availability of appropriated funds. However, this is also set up and estimates the Fish and Wildlife Service would spend $250,000 annually to carry out the 3-year project, again, assuming the availability of appropriated funds, but the legislation makes it very specific that they can recoup their costs as an administrative fee when they issue the duck stamp.

So it should become very self-supporting. Just as you referenced in the other program, they can actually add a cost to cover their administrative costs. We are just trying to simplify this, make it available online to duck hunters as an ease. They will still get the duck stamp in the mail, but we anticipate fully in the legislation the cost to be recovered by the users.

That is my understanding, yes.

If the gentleman will suspend for a moment.

It is a several page bill. If we had had a little advance warning, we could have had it highlighted here.

Section 6(3)(c), Electronic Stamp Issuance Fee. A State participating in the pilot program may charge a reasonable fee to cover costs incurred by the State and the Department of the Interior in issuing electronic stamps under the program, including costs of delivery of actual stamps.

Does that clarify?

Does that satisfy the gentleman's question then?

Very good.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support S. 1496, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 203) to reduce temporarily the royalty required to be paid for sodium produced, to establish certain National Heritage Areas, 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 the bill under consideration.

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

Senate 203 includes several titles in this carefully constructed bill. Title I provides for the temporary reduction of soda ash royalties; title II establishes 10 National Heritage Areas; title III authorizes three suitability and feasibility studies for new heritage areas; titles IV makes improvement to and reauthorizes the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor; title V authorizes an important water storage study; title VI authorizes a special resources study in the State of Delaware to determine the suitability of including certain sites in the National Park System; title VII reauthorizes the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor; title VIII authorizes the California Reclamation Groundwater Remediation Initiative; and title IX makes corrections to the National Coal Heritage Area Act.

I urge my colleagues to support Senate 203.

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

Madam Speaker, at this time I am honored and privileged to yield to my colleague, Mr. Ryun, who has been very active on parts of this bill that pertain to his interest in his district and State, and I yield him such time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3817) to withdraw the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest in New Mexico from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and for other purposes.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield my such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3817, introduced by New Mexico Representative Tom Udall, would withdraw roughly 101,000 acres, known as the Valle Vidal Unit, from mineral exploration or development. This includes patent under mining claims and mineral leases for geothermal or mining materials. Any valid existing rights would continue to be recognized; but if those rights were relinquished or bought out, that area would also be withdrawn from the mining laws.

This area is known for its recreation, namely, horseback riding and hiking, livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Currently, the Forest Service is revising its management plan for the Carson National Forest and is likely, through public comment and collaboration, to withdraw mineral development in this area independent of the legislation. The area in question is entirely within Mr. Udall's district.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4301) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain parcels of land acquired for the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal features of the initial stage of the Oahe Unit, James Division, South Dakota, to the Commission of Schools and Public Lands and the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks of the State of South Dakota for the purpose of mitigating lost wildlife habitat, on the condition that the current preferential leaseholders shall have an option to purchase the parcels from the Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam 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.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 4301, sponsored by Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth, brings much needed closure and justice for a number of landowners who have been negatively impacted by a South Dakota irrigation project that never materialized. To complete the irrigation project, the Federal Government acquired over 19,000 acres from local landowners. Many of these lands were obtained by condemnation. Despite all this hardship, the project was never completed, but the Federal Government has retained ownership to the lands for the last 30 years.

This bill simply gives many of the landowners options to buy the land back and gives some of the land to the State of South Dakota to benefit fish and wildlife. The legislation also formally deauthorizes that irrigation project.

This bill is a culmination of many years of hard work among various interests. It not only provides fairness to local landowners and the county government, but it also improves the environment. I commend the South Dakota delegation for their hard work and urge my colleagues to support this most important, balanced and fair legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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