{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-approves-staubers-land-exchange-bill", "House Approves Stauber\u2019s Land Exchange Bill", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - This week, the United States House of Representatives unanimously approved Congressman Pete Stauber\u2019s (MN-08) legislation, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2024. Congressman Stauber released the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe successful stewardship of Lake Winnie is a testament to Minnesotans\u2019 love for nature and commitment to conservation. In the Northland, we understand that access is key for recreation and the growth of our rural economies. This land exchange will ensure Minnesotans have access to Lake Winnie for generations to come and help the Chippewa National Forest achieve its management goals.\n\nMy legislation puts the right acreage under the right management and protects our traditions of boating, fishing, and recreating up north. I am proud to see my bill pass the House, and I hope the United States Senate will take action soon.\u201d\n\nChairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) said the following: \u201cCongressman Stauber has always been a champion for Minnesota\u2019s communities and local economies. His legislation that passed out of the House facilitated a critical land exchange that will help a small business in his district and support outdoor recreation opportunities for all who live near and recreate on and around Lake Winnibigoshish.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nLake Winnibigoshish, also known as Lake Winnie, is located in the Chippewa National Forest and is home to Bowen Lodge. Bowen Lodge is a fishing lodge currently run by Bill and Gail Heig, who have served as incredible stewards of Lake Winnie and provided fishing and recreation opportunities to the local community.\n\nCurrently, Bowen Lodge has a 20-year agreement with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to lease acreage along the shoreline of Lake Winnie, where the Heigs operate their marina. Under their stewardship, Lake Winnie has remained accessible to the citizens of Itasca County.\n\nStauber\u2019s bill will facilitate a land exchange between Bowen Lodge and the USFS, providing Bowen Lodge permanent access to the lakeshore and marina, along with greater certainty for the greater Itasca County community. In exchange for this land, Bowen Lodge would convey nearby acreage to the USFS, which would then be added to the Chippewa National Forest.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-approves-staubers-land-exchange-bill"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8445638231933117, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}