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.
“FRANNIE, WYOMING, LAND CONVEYANCE” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H8645-H8646 on Nov. 15, 2006.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FRANNIE, WYOMING, LAND CONVEYANCE
Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 101) to convey to the town of Frannie, Wyoming, certain land withdrawn by the Commissioner of Reclamation.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 101
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO THE TOWN OF FRANNIE,
WYOMING.
(a) Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey by quitclaim deed, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the parcel of land described in subsection (b) to the town of Frannie, Wyoming.
(b) Description of Land.--The parcel of land referred to in subsection (a) is the parcel of land withdrawn by the Commissioner of Reclamation--
(1) consisting of approximately 37,500 square feet;
(2) located in the town of Frannie, Wyoming; and
(3) more particularly described in the approved Plat of Survey of Frannie Townsite, Wyoming, as the North \1/2\ of Block 26, T. 58 N, R. 97 W.
(c) Reservation of Mineral Rights.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be subject to the reservation by the United States of any oil and gas rights.
(d) Revocations.--
(1) Special use permit.--The special use permit issued by the Commissioner of Reclamation, numbered O-LM-60-L1413, and dated April 20, 1990, is revoked with respect to the land described in subsection (b).
(2) Secretarial Orders.--The following Secretarial Orders issued by the Commissioner of Reclamation are revoked with respect to the land described in subsection (b):
(A) The Secretarial Order for the withdrawal of land for the Shoshone Reclamation Project dated October 21, 1913, as amended.
(B) The Secretarial Order for the withdrawal of land for the Frannie Townsite Reservation dated April 19, 1920.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Drake) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Virginia.
Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
S. 101, introduced by Senator Mike Enzi, and supported by our Wyoming colleague, Barbara Cubin, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey a parcel of land to the town of Frannie, Wyoming. The land in question is less than 1 acre and equates to approximately half a city block.
The Bureau of Reclamation has not used this land for many years, and the town has actually managed it for the last 15 years. As the land is no longer needed for reclamation projects, the town would like to use this land to build a community center.
The Department of the Interior has testified in support of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this noncontroversial bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of S. 101 is to convey a small parcel of Federal land to the town of Frannie, Wyoming.
While we do not object to passage of S. 101, we do want to ensure that we address concerns raised at the December 7, 2005, hearing of the Subcommittee on Water and Power regarding the intent of Congress with respect to the ownership of this parcel and the purpose for which it will be used.
Mr. Speaker, I will include in the Record at this point two letters received from the town of Frannie by Water and Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Napolitano.
Town of Frannie,
Frannie, WY, December 15, 2005.Hon. Grace Napolitano,Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Napolitano: It has come to our attention that there were concerns expressed over the Town of Frannie gaining ownership of federal lands in Frannie Wyoming and then immediately disposing of them. As a smaller governmental entity, we fully understand the concerns on this issue.
One of the unique features in the Town of Frannie is on the NE\1/4\ of Block 26. The Town of Frannie holds a Bureau of Reclamation 99-year Special Use Permit for our Centennial (Lasting Legacy) Park. In 1990, as a project to commemorate a ``Lasting Legacy'' of Wyoming's centennial year, the Frannie Elementary students, with community support and help, built this park. The park is a topographical representation of Wyoming with rocks depicting mountain ranges and the pathways are the two main thoroughfares across the state. This children's park holds a special place in the hearts of many of our community members.
Past and present Town Council members have been discussing the use for the NW\1/4\ of Block 26. The need for a large group picnic shelter, a community hall, and a maintenance shop are a few ideas that the councils were considering. Before we can commit to developing these lots for public use, we will first need to gain ownership.
It is our desire to have this land remain open for public use since it is adjacent to our town hall, basketball court, and library. We feel that we would be better managers and protectors of these lots if they were under our care. On July 19, 2000, the Wyoming State Director of the Bureau of Land Management, stated in a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation,
``Since BLM feels the parcel is not suitable for return to the public domain and management under the public land and mining laws, and the land is no longer needed for BR purposes, it is recommended a means of disposal of this parcel be sought whereby the Town of Frannie can protect its investment.''
We understand the concern with the Town of Frannie turning around and selling the North\1/2\ of Block 26. Although we cannot guarantee what future council members' goals and values will be, you can rest assured that the present council and many of our community members desire that this entire block remain intact for the public's use.
We sincerely hope that you will give us your support of S. 101.
Sincerely,
Jerry Dart,Mayor.
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Town of Frannie
Frannie, WY, July 14, 2006.Hon. Grace Napolitano,Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Water and Power, House
Committee on Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Ranking Member Napolitano: Thank you for your interest in S. 101, a bill to convey land to the Town of Frannie, and for your continued interest in good government. As a local government official, 1 have a great respect for your desire to see lands conveyed to our town used in a manner that is in the public interest.
I write you today to make clear that the Town of Frannie has no intention of selling the land that the federal government would convey to us if S. 101 is signed into law. It is my understanding that a letter sent by our previous mayor did not clarify what our intention is for that land, and so I hope to ease your concerns that the town may attempt to sell this land in the future. That is not our goal, and we have no desire to sell the land to private individuals.
Half of the land owned by the Bureau of Reclamation holds a portion of the town's Centennial Park. It is our intention to keep that park in place. The Other half of the land contains an American Legion building that is condemned. It is our intention to tear that building down, and it is our dream to build a community center on that land.
We expect the community center to be a place where townspeople can meet for dinners, meetings and other community events because our community does not have such a gathering facility. Although it is our dream to make this happen, we do not yet want to begin the process of raising the funds if we do not own the land. Although we enjoy our relationship with Bureau of Reclamation, we do not feel comfortable investing what we believe to be substantial dollars if we do not own the land.
Because the federal government no longer uses the land and because the cost of selling the land is more than the value of the land, we believe S. 101 is a win-win situation for our community and for the taxpayers. It is my hope that you will support passage of S. 101 so that we can begin moving forward with our dream to build It community center that will undoubtedly make Frannie a better place for all its citizens.
Sincerely,
Miriam Roberts,
Mayor, Town of Frannie.
The letters clearly state that it is the intent of the town government that this parcel permanently remain in public ownership and that the land continue to be used as it is presently, that is, for public purposes. We appreciate these assurances by the town of Frannie.
In addition to these assurances, Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of the Interior, in executing the transfer of real property authorized by this act, shall include in the deed or deeds a restriction requiring that the lands remain in public ownership by the town of Frannie and used solely and in perpetuity for public purposes.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Drake) that the House suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 101.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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