John Hansen: “Mr. Speaker, S. 1629, sponsored by Senators Smith and Wyden of Oregon, and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) on the…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 1629, sponsored by Senators Smith and Wyden of Oregon, and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) on the House side, would facilitate two exchanges of public and private lands in Oregon: the Triangle Land Exchange in the Northeast Oregon Assembled Land Exchange. Approximately 54,000 acres of BLM and Forest Service land is proposed to be traded for nearly 50,000 acres currently held by private ownership in northeast Oregon. The value of the lands exchanged will be the same or equalized by cash payments to the Secretaries. The proposed exchange has been proceeding under administrative process for 4 rac{1}{2} years with a variety of delays along the way. The bill creates a legislative resolution to the exchange. Both the government and the public have interest in this exchange. Federal agencies will acquire sensitive river corridors which will improve the efficiency of their protection efforts for threatened and endangered fish. Communities and landowners will benefit from these exchanges because the consolidation of ownership patterns and the release of previously inaccessible forest lands will boost local economies and enhance the ability of the private sector to manage its own lands.”