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“SPECIAL RULES FOR INYO NATIONAL FOREST LAND EXCHANGE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H7423 on Dec. 3, 2013.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SPECIAL RULES FOR INYO NATIONAL FOREST LAND EXCHANGE
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1241) to facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1241
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SPECIAL RULES FOR INYO NATIONAL FOREST LAND
EXCHANGE.
(a) Authority To Accept Lands Outside Boundaries of Inyo National Forest.--In any land exchange involving the conveyance of certain National Forest System land located within the boundaries of Inyo National Forest in California, as shown on the map titled ``Federal Parcel'' and dated June 2011, the Secretary of Agriculture may accept for acquisition in the exchange certain non-Federal lands in California lying outside the boundaries of Inyo National Forest, as shown on the maps titled ``DWP Parcel - Interagency Visitor Center Parcel'' and ``DWP Parcel - Town of Bishop Parcel'' and dated June 2011, if the Secretary determines that acquisition of the non-Federal lands is desirable for National Forest System purposes.
(b) Cash Equalization Payment; Use.--In an exchange described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture may accept a cash equalization payment in excess of 25 percent. Any such cash equalization payment shall be deposited into the account in the Treasury of the United States established by Public Law 90-171 (commonly known as the Sisk Act; 16 U.S.C. 484a) and shall be made available to the Secretary for the acquisition of land for addition to the National Forest System.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to grant the Secretary of Agriculture new land exchange authority. This section modifies the use of land exchange authorities already available to the Secretary as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1241 authorizes the Forest Service to acquire two parcels of land outside the boundary of the Inyo National Forest in exchange for a parcel of national forest land conveyed to the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
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The ski area has been operating its main base under a special-use permit. However, acquiring ownership of that parcel under this legislation would allow the ski area to conduct desperately needed renovations to its facilities. At the same time, the Forest Service would be able to acquire land that it currently leases to operate the facilities outside the boundary of the Inyo National Forest.
I urge adoption of this sensible measure authored by Congressman Paul Cook and reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
H.R. 1241 would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to accept lands outside the boundaries of the Inyo National Forest in the Eastern Sierra in exchange for non-Federal lands desirable for the National Forest System purposes. If completed, the land exchange could result in significant revenue for the Federal Government.
The bill has bipartisan support, including the Department of Agriculture. I urge its passage in the House, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am now pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from California, Congressman Paul Cook, the author of this bill.
Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1241, obviously, would facilitate a land exchange in Mono County, California. It would allow the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to obtain the 21 acres surrounding the Mammoth Mountain Inn that it currently leases from the National Forest Service. In return, Mammoth Mountain would transfer 1,500 acres of land along with a cash equalization payment to the National Forest Service. This would allow Mammoth Mountain to replace and rebuild the Mammoth Mountain Inn. After more than 50 years of use, the Inn suffers from poor, deteriorated construction, and its replacement would allow Mammoth Mountain to continue operating California's premier ski area.
This bill is a jobs bill. Mammoth Mountain's employment fluctuates between a high of 2,500 employees during the winter to down to 650 in the summer. Mono County has a population of only 14,000 people. Thus, this area is by far and above the largest employer in the country. This would help facilitate and would create new construction jobs, but it would also allow the ski area to expand, creating more permanent jobs.
It's also an environmental bill. The 1,500 acres that Mammoth Mountain would be transferring to the Forest Service has long been desired for protection by local environmentalists and the Forest Service. It will end what the Inyo National Forest supervisor described as a ``very, very imminent threat to the scenic basin.''
The legislation is supported by the Mono County Board of Supervisors, the town council, the various chambers of commerce and the Eastern Sierra Land Trust.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this vital local bill.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentleman for his support of the measure and urge its adoption. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1241.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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