Greg Walden’s bill to force Forest Service to complete Mt. Hood land exchange takes major step forward in U.S. House

Greg Walden’s bill to force Forest Service to complete Mt. Hood land exchange takes major step forward in U.S. House

Bill unanimously approved by House Natural Resources Committee; next step is vote in full House

WASHINGTON, DC – A bill authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to force the U.S. Forest Service to complete a land exchange on Mt. Hood—first approved by Congress seven years ago—has taken a major step forward in the U.S. House. The Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act (H.R. 3826), cosponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland), was approved unanimously by the House Natural Resources Committee today. The next step is a vote in the full House of Representatives. 

“In 2009, Congress passed our bipartisan legislation that clearly stated that the Forest Service should complete the land exchange within 16 months. Now, 85 months later, the agency still has not complied with the law. In fact, they have said that they made need another year or two even under this new plan to complete the transfer. That’s simply unacceptable,” Walden said. “Our new bill would force the Forest Service to complete its work in a timely manner. I’m pleased that the House Natural Resources Committee has unanimously approved this bill, and hope that the full House will pass it soon.”

The 2009 law authorizes a land exchange to allow development of 120 acres of federal land in Government Camp in exchange for 770 acres of non-federal land at Cooper Spur. That law clearly stated that the Forest Service should complete the exchange within 16 months. Yet it has still not been completed, frustrating many in the local communities and at Mt. Hood Meadows.

H.R. 3826 would restate Congress’ intent that the Forest Service move quickly to complete the exchange, addresses disagreements over a conservation easement, and allows for a more transparent appraisal process. Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced similar legislation, which now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

In February, Walden testified about his legislation before the Committee. For video of Walden’s full remarks, click here.