Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Floor Speech

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Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I wish to celebrate the enactment of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act and congratulate my Idaho congressional delegation colleagues Representative Michael K. Simpson and Senator James E. Risch on this important achievement.

Enactment of this legislation, also called the SNRA Plus, was accomplished due to significant hard work, led by Representative Simpson. Representative Simpson's determination to work through the many challenges that arose during the near decade of this collaborative effort has given Idaho a homegrown solution to sustaining this treasured area of Idaho.

Senator Risch's work in shepherding this legislation through the Senate, including through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on which he serves, is also commendable. Senator Risch fought through many challenges in his pursuit of getting this needed legislation over the finish line.

A number of other individuals deserve acknowledgement for their considerable efforts to develop a hard-sought consensus that will be of lasting benefit. John Revier and Lindsay Slater of Representative Simpson's staff dedicated immeasurable time and extensive know-how to developing the legislation to reach this milestone. Custer and Blaine County Commissioners also did an outstanding job in this collaborative effort. The SNRA Plus is a win for Idaho and an example of how local governments and interests can achieve solutions to some of the most persistent public lands issues we face today.

Following the enactment of this important legislation, the focus must now shift to the hard work of successful implementation that will require commitment from the various Federal agencies and all of the affected interests. Again, I commend Representative Simpson, Senator Risch and the other stakeholders for their important work that will make a lasting difference in our great State.

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