Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H.R. 5093, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler). This is a good bill, and I commend her for her leadership on this effort.

Skamania County in Representative Herrera Beutler's district is almost 77 percent federally owned. Unfortunately, because of the large number of public lands in the county, less than 2 percent of the county's land base can be taxed at full market value.

The presence of a large Federal estate is shared by many other rural counties in the West, and it makes it very difficult for communities to generate revenue needed to fund schools, roads, and vital public services, such as police and fire departments.

H.R. 5093 would transfer ownership of approximately 23 acres of the former Wind River Nursery from the Forest Service to the county to expand uses that will draw in tourism, provide economic opportunities, and create additional tax revenue for the county. The county estimates that this conveyance will ultimately lead to an additional $600,000 in revenue each year.

Skamania County has also already made considerable investments to restore this site with upgrades to water mains, full restorations to two residential buildings, and electric improvements to four additional buildings.

I, again, thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler) for her leadership on this bill. The legislation reflects a locally driven compromise that meets the needs of the community, creates additional recreation opportunities, and will lead to better management of Federal land.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Herrera Beutler).

Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act which, if we get it passed today by the House and signed into law, will provide enormous benefits to the folks I serve in Skamania County, Washington.

This bill exemplifies a groundbreaking win-win agreement in a rural county where so often locals' needs get completely trampled by the Federal Government.

With this carefully negotiated solution, the Forest Service unloads land that it no longer wants to manage, and the local community gains a very valuable economic asset and resource.

In Skamania County, where 80 percent of the land is locked up by the Federal Government, even more if you count the State-owned land, only 1.8 percent of the land in the county is taxed at full market value.

What does that mean?

It means that this has severely hindered the county's ability to fund basic services that citizens rely upon, like roads and schools, and police and fire protection.

The bill that I have introduced and that we are considering today is simple. It would convey ownership of approximately 23 acres in the former Wind River Nursery from the U.S. Forest Service to Skamania County. It is important to note here that this proposal is supported by Skamania County and by the Forest Service.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which covers a majority of the county, is currently facing tens of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance.

By conveying the land to the county, the Forest Service will shed that financial responsibility for these pieces associated with the maintenance of buildings and facilities on the Wind River Nursery, and by taking ownership of the land, Skamania County will develop recreational, historical, and business opportunities that will draw in tourism and critical revenue.

This is a win-win solution, and it will result in substantial benefits to the folks who call Skamania County home.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to approve this important legislation.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to visit Skamania County. It is a beautiful place, and I know that the people there will be great stewards of this land. It will be good for Skamania County, for Washington, and for the United States, and I urge adoption of the bill.

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