Jon L. Christensen: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4806, the Pine Springs Land Exchange takes approximately 80 acres of forest lands in the Lincoln…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4806, the Pine Springs Land Exchange takes approximately 80 acres of forest lands in the Lincoln National Forest and exchanges that for private land currently owned by Lubbock Christian University. Currently, Lubbock Christian University operates a summer camp in New Mexico on private land adjacent to Lincoln National Forest. Their summer camp program has reached its capacity and the university desires to expand onto adjacent Forest Service lands. In exchange for approximately 80 acres of lands adjacent to their existing camp, Lubbock Christian University will provide the Forest Service with approximately 80 acres of privately owned lands surrounded by Federal forests. Our committee has worked hard to refine language that will make this exchange fair to the U.S. taxpayer. The bill we are considering today requires that the exchange be of equal value. If the land appraisals determine that the parcels are not of equal value, the bill provides for the equalization of values through cash payments. We appreciate that land exchanges can often be controversial. However, we have tried very hard to ensure that this package consolidates Federal ownership in some parts of the forests while enabling Lubbock Christian University to expand its summer camp.”