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.
“MUKILTEO LAND TRANSFER” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S9579-S9580 on Sept. 21, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MUKILTEO LAND TRANSFER
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I am pleased to offer an amendment to the fiscal year 2002 Defense Authorizations bill improving upon a land transfer included in the fiscal year 2001 Defense Authorizations bill. Last year, I worked to include language transferring the 22 acre Mukilteo Tank Farm from the United States Air Force to the Port of Everett, Washington. The Port, in cooperation with the City of Everett, the City of Mukilteo, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, and the Washington State Ferry System, plans to redevelop the site to include a new ferry terminal, commuter rail, a marina and enhanced shoreline access. This redevelopment will revitalize Mukilteo and Everett while improving transportation in this area. An important first step in implementing these development plans is for the Air Force to convey this property to the Port of Everett.
For almost 30 years, the 22 acre parcel of land has also been home to the National Marine Fisheries Service's, NMFS', Mukilteo Field Research Facility. Its laboratories are currently housed in old, run-down military barracks. Last year's land transfer legislation did not convey any of the property to NMFS. The agency was concerned that it had lost its chance to own a portion of the 22 acres, and thus to make significant improvements to the site. The facility conducts valuable marine research, which will lead to improved long-term success in protecting and restoring salmon, groundfish and other species in Puget Sound.
I directed the parties involved to reach a mutually agreeable solution. I am very pleased to announce that today's amendment reflects an agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, NMFS and the Port of Everett. Upon transfer of the 22 aces, the Air Force will convey 1.1 acres to NOAA. After 12 years, any portion of the 1.1 acres not being used by NOAA shall automatically revert to the Port of Everett. In addition, the Secretary of Commerce will have the authority to exchange portions of the 1.1 acres with the Port of Everett should such an exchange be deemed mutually agreeable.
This amendment reflects almost a year of negotiations and hard work on the part of many people within each organization. I would like to thank John Mohr, Executive Director for the Port of Everett, and Donna Darm, Acting Regional Administrator for NMFS in the Northwest Region. I appreciate their outstanding leadership in crafting this agreement. I look forward to continuing to work with the Port of Everett, NMFS and NOAA on this and any other issue that may arise in the future. Congratulations on working out an agreement which, I believe, is in the long-term interest of the community, the state of Washington and the nation.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina is recognized.
Mr. HOLLINGS. I ask unanimous consent that I may proceed as in morning business for 20 minutes.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I wish to ask the Senator if he will forbear for a moment.
In my capacity as ranking member of the committee, I thank our committee member from the great State of Louisiana for all of her hard work and for her taking over the chairmanship of the Emerging Threats Subcommittee. I don't know of any other task facing the Senate today that is greater than what faces her in trying to work for the administration now that the President has made some very significant announcements in restructuring efforts of the Federal Government toward addressing the emerging and, indeed, regrettably existing threats now poised at our country. So I commend the Senator from Louisiana and wish her well in the weeks and months to come in her new capacity as chairman.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I thank the Senator. Let me respond briefly. To assure the Senator from Virginia that we are up to the task and that our members are ready to go, we look forward to working with him, and I appreciate his guidance, support, and direction.
Mr. WARNER. I thank the Senator from Louisiana.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the request of the Senator from South Carolina to speak as in morning business?
Mr. REID. Madam President, what was the request?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The request is from the Senator from South Carolina to speak as in morning business.
Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, before we move off the Defense bill--if it is within the rules, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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