Madeleine Bordallo: “This bill, authored by Representative Paul A. Gosar, authorizes the conveyance of approximately 8,800 acres of Bureau of…”

“This bill, authored by Representative Paul A. Gosar, authorizes the conveyance of approximately 8,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to La Paz County, Arizona, for the development of renewable energy. The BLM land has been identified as suitable for disposal, and the county is required to pay full-market value and all the administrative costs associated with the conveyance. The bill also includes important safeguards for Tribal cultural property and is supported by the Colorado River Indian Tribes. This is a targeted sale of public land for a very specific public purpose that ensures a fair return for taxpayer-owned assets. Our support for this bill does not mean that we support the wholesale disposal of public land. Federal land is a public resource, and the conveyance of any part of this resource should include guarantees to protect the public's interest. The proceeds of any conveyance authorized by Congress should be reinvested back into land conservation efforts. Without this important safeguard, the accumulation of individual conveyances potentially threatens the viability of our system of public lands. This is not yet included in this bill, so I do hope, Mr. Speaker, that we can work with our Senate colleagues to make this bill even better as it moves through the legislative process. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr.…”