The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“WEST BUTTE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H6499-H6500 on Sept. 24, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WEST BUTTE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY ACT
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4953) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to grant to Deschutes and Crook Counties in the State of Oregon a right-of-way to West Butte Road, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 4953
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY TO WEST BUTTE ROAD IN THE
STATE OF OREGON.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) West butte road.--The term ``West Butte Road'' means the unpaved Bureau of Land Management road in the State of Oregon identified on the map as BLM Road 6520.
(2) County.--The term ``County'' means each of Crook County and Deschutes County in the State of Oregon.
(3) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``West Butte Road Right of Way'' dated July 17, 2002.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
(b) Grant to Counties.--Notwithstanding any other Act, and subject to subsection (d), the Secretary shall grant to each County a right-of-way to the West Butte Road.
(c) Boundaries.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the rights-of-way granted under subsection (b) shall--
(A) extend in length from Reservoir Road in Crook County to United States Route 20 in Deschutes County, Oregon; and
(B) shall extend in width 100 feet on each side of the centerline of West Butte Road.
(2) Modifications.--
(A) State roads.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall amend the existing rights-of-way of each of the Counties as contained in their respective road case files to include the rights-of-way granted under subsection (b).
(ii) Effect.--The rights-of-way amended under clause (i) shall be subject to the common terms, conditions, and stipulations identified in the Counties' rights-of-way grants that apply on the date of enactment of this Act.
(iii) Consideration of environmental concerns.--Environmental concerns associated with any development of the West Butte Road shall be addressed by the County in meeting compliance requirements associated with State and Federal highway projects and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as administered by the Federal Highway Administration.
(B) West butte road.--Notwithstanding any other Act, the Secretary shall provide for adjustment to the right-of-way width and alignment granted under subsection (b) in portions of the West Butte Road necessary for the road to meet applicable State and Federal highway standards.
(d) Relinquishment of Right-of-Way.--The right-of-way granted to each County under subsection (b) shall be contingent upon the Counties relinquishing any right, title, or interest in and to any RS 2477 right-of-way claim held by the Counties to the portion of the road known as George Millican Road that is located in the area described in subsection (c)(1).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), the author of the bill, to explain the legislation.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4953. This is a bill that would promote important transportation infrastructure improvements to an economically depressed area of central Oregon.
Rapid population growth among the Bend and Redmond corridor in central Oregon has created a perpetual bottleneck along Highway 97, a vital north-south right-of-way and highway in central Oregon. H.R. 4953 would authorize the relinquishment of rights-of-way between Crook and Deschutes Counties and the Bureau of Land Management, in effect a swap. The BLM would simply relinquish their management right to the West Butte Road, transferring that right to the counties. The counties, in turn, would relinquish their management rights to the George Millican Road, transferring those rights to the Bureau of Land Management.
West Butte Road extends from Reservoir Road in Crook County to U.S. Route 20 in Deschutes County. This legislation would allow the counties to make improvements to West Butte Road, thereby providing real and meaningful access to U.S. Highway 20, which is a major transportation route in central Oregon. Improvements to the road would provide an alternative route for trucks and other vehicles that now travel on a very busy and congested U.S. Highway 97.
A recent survey conducted by the Oregon Department of Transportation estimated that 25 percent of the trucks that now past through Bend from Highway 20 would use this alternative route, which would save an estimated 1 hour in travel time and reduce air pollutants as a result.
Mr. Speaker, not only does H.R. 4953 alleviate traffic congestion in central Oregon, but it also spurs economic growth in Crook County, a county with a current unemployment rate of 8.2 percent. This unemployment rate is due to the dismantling of the timber industry and the exodus of industries linked to that industry. This legislation would divert the excess traffic on Highway 97, transferring to Highway 20, providing incentives to businesses, enticing them to move to Crook County. It also gives businesses currently located in Crook County a reason to stay, due to the long-term viability of its transportation infrastructure. The long-term effect would be to provide family-wage jobs, to increase economic development, reduce pollutants, reduce commute times and trucking times, and free up access on Highway 97.
This legislation is supported by both Crook and Deschutes Counties, the cities of Prineville, Bend and Redmond, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Central Oregon Area Transportation Committee.
I would especially like to thank my friend and commend Judge Scott Cooper, who has worked tirelessly to make passage of this bill a reality.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4953 is a perfect opportunity for us to step up our efforts in alleviating the County's traffic congestion problems, provide additional commerce routes in central Oregon and work to reduce unemployment. I urge passage of H.R. 4953.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The minority has reviewed this bill and we support the majority's explanation of it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4953, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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