releases: https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-blumenauer-bill-force-forest-service-complete-mt-hood-land
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-blumenauer-bill-force-forest-service-complete-mt-hood-land | Walden, Blumenauer bill to force Forest Service to complete Mt. Hood land exchange passes U.S. House | 2016-06-08 | 2016 | 2016-06 | Republican | House | OR | Greg Walden | W000791 | walden.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC— A bill authored by U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) to force the U.S. Forest Service to complete a land exchange on Mt. Hood has passed the U.S. House in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, 401-2. The Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act (H.R. 3826) directs the Forest Service to move forward with the underlying land exchange—first approved by Congress in 2009— which would help protect the local water source and grow jobs in the community. “Seven years ago, Congress passed our bipartisan bill clearly stating that the Forest Service should complete the Mt. Hood Cooper Spur land exchange within 16 months. And yet here we are some 88 months later having to pass new legislation to get the job done,” said Walden. “This land exchange is critical for protecting Crystal Springs, the water source for the City of Hood River and the upper Hood River Valley, and would allow for economic development and family wage jobs in the area. The communities around Mt. Hood have waited long enough, it’s time for the Forest Service to finish the job.” “This land transfer has been delayed for far too long. Today’s action in the House brings us one step closer to timely completion of the exchange and further cements Congressional direction to get it done—helping to concentrate development on the south side of the mountain, protect new land under federal ownership, and realize additional protections for key areas,” said Blumenauer. “Thank you to Congressman Walden for his partnership on this bill. Together, along with our colleagues in the Senate, we will continue pushing until the Forest Service finishes the job we directed it to complete years ago.” 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 restates 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. Identical legislation introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley was passed by that body in April as part of a broader energy and resources bill. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |