Oregon Surplus Federal Land Act of 2008

OREGON SURPLUS FEDERAL LAND ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2008)

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I support the bill's purpose to transfer administrative jurisdiction over a light station and approximately 24 acres of public land in the State of Oregon from the Coast Guard to the Secretary of the Interior. The land and structures will be held in trust for a federally recognized tribe and would be available for tribal and public interests that were approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Lastly, the bill would prohibit the use of the land for any commercial activity that is not expressly approved by the Secretary.

However, I am disappointed that the bill is being brought to the floor without a map specifically detailing the location and amount of land which is to be transferred under the bill.

The land has not been surveyed, and there is a question between the Department of the Interior and Coast Guard on the boundaries of this land that is proposed for transfer.

I support the bill, but I do have reservations about the lack of a precise description of the land to be transferred. I hope that the majority, under Mr. DeFazio's leadership, will work with our side to ensure that the land is surveyed promptly and that the final transfer should be delayed until such maps are available.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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