Big Bear Land Exchange Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5513. This bill authorizes an equal value land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and San Bernardino County.

The exchange would allow the county to build a resource conservation and recovery facility adjacent to the current transfer station. The Forest Service would receive an undeveloped parcel currently surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest.

H.R. 5513 is supported by the nearby city of Big Bear, by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, and by the local chapter of the Sierra Club.

I thank my colleague, Representative Cook, for working to address some of our concerns with earlier drafts of this bill. Thanks to his efforts, we have ensured this exchange will be subject to existing law, that it will preserve critical and occupied habitat for endangered species, and that the exchange will have minimal impacts on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

H.R. 5513 demonstrates how a collaborative process can meet the interests of local stakeholders, while protecting the integrity of our environment and public lands.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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