Jon L. Christensen: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4593, as it is being brought to the floor today, is a diverse bill affecting land and resources in…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4593, as it is being brought to the floor today, is a diverse bill affecting land and resources in Nevada and New Mexico. First and foremost, I want to take this opportunity to commend my colleague the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for his work on title II of this legislation, which designates the Ojito Wilderness in New Mexico. Title II is the text of H.R. 3176, introduced by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) and favorably reported from the Committee on Resources. The language of title II is a model of the legislative process. The gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) has developed a bipartisan proposal that has significant local, State and national support, and we strongly support this aspect of H.R. 4593. Title I of H.R. 4593 is the Lincoln County, Nevada, lands bill. This is a complex and far-reaching piece of legislation that includes utility corridors and rights of way, land sales and conveyances, also wilderness, ORV trails, land exchanges and water. There are still a number of issues and concerns with this title, but we are pleased that at least the two wilderness areas that were previously dropped have been added back in. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4593, as amended, is a compromise, and as such, we have no objection to its consideration by the House today.”