Sawtooth Nat. Recreation Area

SAWTOOTH NAT. RECREATION AREA

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, would the distinguished Chairman of the Subcommittee yield for a colloquy regarding Land and Water Conservation Funds for Idaho?

Mr. BURNS. I would be pleased to yield to the Senator to discuss this important issue.

Mr. CRAPO. First allow me to commend the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for their leadership and hard work on this bill. The Committee has had to make difficult decisions with scarce resources and have worked hard to do so in a fair manner. I appreciate Chairman BURNS and Ranking Member BYRD's effort and diligence.

Idaho is a state of spectacular natural beauty and wildlife habitat. One jewel within the Gem State is the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, SNRA. The SNRA is a national treasure enjoyed by locals and visitors to Idaho alike. The opportunity to preserve important parts of its pristine beauty is available through the purchase of scenic easements. Further, when the SNRA was established nearly thirty years ago, a commitment was made to private property owners to secure easements.

In the past, funding has been inadequate to complete the easement purchases. However, in recent years, with the support of the Chairman and Ranking Member, we have been a renewed interest in completing the purchase of relevant easements within the SNRA. Idaho is grateful for the committee's support in obtaining these easements.

It is expected that $3 million in Fiscal Year 2003 will fulfill the easement needs in the SNRA. Unfortunately, funding for easements in the SNRA was not included in the committee-passed bill. I recognize the subcommittee is operating under significant financial restraints and not all worthy projects can be funded. Yet, it is my hope the Chairman and ranking member can revisit their important project in the conference.

Again, I am grateful the committee has previously responded to the opportunities to use land and water conservation funds to acquire easements in the SNRA to protect the valuable habitats and scenic values. Support for easements in the SNRA are locally-driven, with wide-spread support and anxious willing-sellers. Completion of this project will address the concerns of private property owners and protect this wonderful resource for all Americans to enjoy.

I would ask the Chairman and ranking member if they would work with me in conference to evaluate this request, with an eye toward inclusion in the conference report.