Extending the Authority to Collect Shasta-Trinity Marina Fees Through Fiscal Year 2029

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3324) to extend the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal year 2029.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3324

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHASTA-TRINITY MARINA FEES.

Section 422 of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 Stat 2149) as amended, is further amended by striking ``and each subsequent fiscal year through fiscal year 2019'' and inserting ``and each subsequent fiscal year through fiscal year 2029''.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 3324, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3324. This is a good bipartisan effort being led by Representatives Huffman and LaMalfa and will help to improve recreation opportunities to their constituents in northern California.

This bill extends the authority of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest to collect and retain existing marina fees for the purpose of enhancing recreation opportunities and improving access at the Whiskeytown- Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, which is located within Congressmen LaMalfa and Huffman's districts.

The Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area encompasses large reservoirs and abundant mountain terrain. This area is very popular with hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists.

The authority to collect and retain marina fees expired in 2019 but has been temporarily extended through appropriations legislation. The marina fees retained by the Forest Service are spent on recreation enhancement projects such as boat ramp improvements, lake cleanup efforts, maintaining recreational facilities, and improving access for visitors with disabilities. The Forest Service also provides educational programs with these funds.

This bill would not increase or otherwise affect the price of the current marina fees. H.R. 3324 simply continues a current authority that has yielded positive results for families who enjoy visiting this idyllic destination. I commend Representatives Huffman and LaMalfa for their collaborative work on this effort.

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

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Huffman and Mr. LaMalfa for bringing this legislation forward. I think this could actually be a model that could be expanded on across the country so that recreation fees collected in a certain area could be retained and used to reinvest back into that area to provide Americans more access to our public lands.

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

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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