Barbara Cubin: “I rise in support of Senate 750, an act to consolidate certain mineral interests in the National Grasslands in Billings…”

“I rise in support of Senate 750, an act to consolidate certain mineral interests in the National Grasslands in Billings County, North Dakota through the exchange of Federal and private mineral interests to enhance land management capabilities and environmental and wildlife protection, and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, S. 750, introduced by the senior Senator from North Dakota, Mr. Dorgan, is identical to H.R. 2574, introduced by our House colleague, the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy). Indeed, it is the request of the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) that the full House take up the Senate bill rather than his own in order to expedite passage of this legislation. The legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conclude an equal-value exchange of 9,582 of private oil and gas rights for 8,796 acres of Federal oil and gas rights beneath a national grassland within Billings County, North Dakota, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The legislation also authorizes the exchange of any other private mineral rights in the same area. S. 750 passed the Senate by unanimous consent.”