July 31, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5435 

Park: ‘‘Happy will be the men who, having 

the power and the love and the benevolent 

forecast to [create a park], will do it. They 

will not be forgotten. The trees and their 

lovers will sing their praises, and generations yet unborn will rise up and call them 

blessed.’’ Please give your support to creating Pinnacles National Park. Generations 

yet to come will thank you for it. 

KEN BURNS. 

DAYTON DUNCAN. 

Mr. LAMBORN. I would like to inquire if the gentleman from the Northern Marianas has any other speakers? 

Mr. SABLAN. No, we don’t, Mr. 

Speaker. 

At this time, I yield back the balance 

of my time. 

Mr. LAMBORN. Likewise, I yield 

back the balance of my time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 

LAMBORN) that the House suspend the 

rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3641, as 

amended. 

The question was taken; and (twothirds being in the affirmative) the 

rules were suspended and the bill, as 

amended, was passed. 

A motion to reconsider was laid on 

the table. 

f 

AUTHORIZING APPOINTMENT OF 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR 

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I move 

to suspend the rules and pass the bill 

(H.R. 3706) to create the Office of Chief 

Financial Officer of the Government of 

the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes, as amended. 

The Clerk read the title of the bill. 

The text of the bill is as follows: 

H.R. 3706 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in 

Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE 

VIRGIN ISLANDS. 

(a) APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Governor of the Virgin 

Islands shall appoint a Chief Financial Officer, 

with the advice and consent of the Legislature 

of the Virgin Islands, from the names on the list 

required under section 2(d). If the Governor has 

nominated a person for Chief Financial Officer 

but the Legislature of the Virgin Islands has not 

confirmed a nominee within 90 days after receiving the list pursuant to section 2(d), the Governor shall appoint from such list a Chief Financial Officer on an acting basis until the Legislature consents to a Chief Financial Officer. 

(2) ACTING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.—If a 

Chief Financial Officer has not been appointed 

under paragraph (1) within 180 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission, by majority vote, shall appoint from the 

names on the list submitted under section 2(d), 

an Acting Chief Financial Officer to serve in 

that capacity until a Chief Financial Officer is 

appointed under the first sentence of paragraph 

(1). In either case, if the Acting Chief Financial 

Officer serves in an acting capacity for 180 consecutive days, without further action the Acting 

Chief Financial Officer shall become the Chief 

Financial Officer. 

(b) DUTIES OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.— 

The duties of the Chief Financial Officer shall 

include the following: 

(1) Develop and report on the financial status 

of the Government of the Virgin Islands not 

later than 6 months after appointment and 

quarterly thereafter. Such reports shall be available to the public. 

(2) Each year prepare and certify spending 

limits of the annual budget, including annual 

estimates of all revenues of the territory without 

regard to sources, and whether or not the annual budget is balanced. 

(3) Revise and update standards for financial 

management, including inventory and contracting, for the Government of the Virgin Islands in general and for each agency in conjunction with the agency head. 

(c) DOCUMENTS PROVIDED.—The heads of each 

department of the Government of the Virgin Islands, in particular the head of the Department 

of Finance of the Virgin Islands and the head of 

the Internal Revenue Bureau of the Virgin Islands shall provide all documents and information under the jurisdiction of that head that the 

Chief Financial Officer considers required to 

carry out his or her functions to the Chief Financial Officer. 

(d) CONDITIONS RELATED TO CHIEF FINANCIAL

OFFICER.— 

(1) TERM.—The Chief Financial Officer shall 

be appointed for a term of 5 years. 

(2) REMOVAL.—The Chief Financial Officer 

shall not be removed except for cause. An Acting 

Chief Financial Officer may be removed for 

cause or by a Chief Financial Officer appointed 

with the advice and consent of the Legislature 

of the Virgin Islands. 

(3) REPLACEMENT.—If the Chief Financial Officer is unable to continue acting in that capacity due to removal, illness, death, or otherwise, 

another Chief Financial Officer shall be selected 

in accordance with subsection (a). 

(4) SALARY.—The Chief Financial Officer 

shall be paid at a salary to be determined by the 

Governor of the Virgin Islands, except such rate 

may not be less than the highest rate of pay for 

a cabinet officer of the Government of the Virgin Islands or a Chief Financial Officer serving 

in any government or semiautonomous agency. 

(e) REFERENDUM.—As part of the closest regularly scheduled, islands-wide election in the Virgin Islands to the expiration of the fourth year 

of the five-year term of the Chief Financial Officer, the Board of Elections of the Virgin Islands 

shall hold a referendum to seek the approval of 

the people of the Virgin Islands regarding 

whether the position of Chief Financial Officer 

of the Government of the Virgin Islands shall be 

made a permanent part of the executive branch 

of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The 

referendum shall be binding and conducted according to the laws of the Virgin Islands, except 

that the results shall be determined by a majority of the ballots cast. 

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a 

commission to be known as the ‘‘Virgin Islands 

Chief Financial Officer Search Commission’’. 

(b) DUTY OF COMMISSION.—The Commission 

shall recommend to the Governor not less than 

3 candidates for nomination as Chief Financial 

Officer of the Virgin Islands. Each candidate 

must have demonstrated ability in general management of, knowledge of, and extensive practical experience at the highest levels of financial 

management in governmental or business entities and must have experience in the development, implementation, and operation of financial management systems. 

(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 

(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be composed of 8 members appointed 

not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Persons appointed as members must have recognized business, government, 

or financial expertise and experience and shall 

be appointed as follows: 

(A) 1 individual appointed by the Governor of 

the Virgin Islands. 

(B) 1 individual appointed by the President of 

the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. 

(C) 1 individual, who is an employee of the 

Government of the Virgin Islands, appointed by 

the Central Labor Council of the Virgin Islands. 

(D) 1 individual appointed by the Chamber of 

Commerce of St. Thomas-St. John. 

(E) 1 individual appointed by the Chamber of 

Commerce of St. Croix. 

(F) 1 individual appointed by the President of 

the University of the Virgin Islands. 

(G) 1 individual, who is a resident of St. John, 

appointed by the At-Large Member of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. 

(H) 1 individual appointed by the President of 

AARP Virgin islands. 

(2) TERMS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. 

(B) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission 

shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for 

the remainder of that term. 

(3) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve without 

pay. 

(4) QUORUM.—Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 

(5) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the 

Commission shall be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Virgin Islands 

or the designee of the Chief Justice. The Chairperson shall serve as an ex officio member of the 

Commission and shall vote only in the case of a 

tie. 

(6) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at 

the call of the Chairperson. The Commission 

shall meet for the first time not later than 15 

days after all members have been appointed 

under this subsection. 

(7) GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT.—Members may 

not be current government employees, except for 

the member appointed under paragraph (1)(C). 

(d) REPORT; RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Commission shall transmit a report to the Governor, 

the Committee on Natural Resources of the 

House of Representatives and the Committee on 

Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate not 

later than 60 days after its first meeting. The report shall name the Commission’s recommendations for candidates for nomination as Chief Financial Officer of the Virgin Islands. 

(e) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate upon the nomination and confirmation 

of the Chief Financial Officer. 

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 

For the purposes of this Act, the following 

definitions apply: 

(1) CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.—In sections 1 

and 2, the term ‘‘Chief Financial Officer’’ means 

a Chief Financial Officer or Acting Chief Financial Officer, as the case may be, appointed 

under section 1(a). 

(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 

means the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission established pursuant to 

section 2. 

(3) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 

the Governor of the Virgin Islands. 

(4) REMOVAL FOR CAUSE.—The term ‘‘removal 

for cause’’ means removal based upon misconduct, failure to meet job requirements, or 

any grounds that a reasonable person would 

find grounds for discharge. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 

Colorado (Mr. LAMBORN) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. SABLAN) each will control 20 

minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Colorado. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask 

unanimous consent that all Members 

may have 5 legislative days to revise 


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H5436 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 31, 2012 

and extend their remarks and include 

extraneous materials on the bill under 

consideration. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

myself such time as I may consume. 

H.R. 3706 would create the Office of 

Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the Virgin Islands to assist in 

the development of a balanced budget 

through a review of incoming revenues 

and recommend spending limits to the 

Governor and legislature. The intent 

behind the bill is to create more fiscal 

certainty and address concerns regarding the overestimation of incoming 

revenues, which leads to overspending 

and a budget deficit in the Virgin Islands. The bill would allow Virgin Islands voters to have the final say on 

the office. If they find this to be a successful process, they will vote in a referendum to determine if the office 

should be retained in the long term. 

I reserve the balance of my time. 

Mr. SABLAN. I yield myself as much 

time as I may consume. 

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given 

permission to revise and extend his remarks.) 

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in 

support of H.R. 3706, to create an Office 

of Chief Financial Officer for the Government of the United States Virgin Islands. 

Delegate CHRISTENSEN is to be commended for her hard work on behalf of 

her constituents. Today marks the 

fourth time—the fourth time—the 

House will vote on legislation she sponsored to provide greater accountability 

and transparency in the management 

of her district’s finances. 

This is a good bill, I urge my colleagues to support its adoption, and I 

reserve the balance of my time. 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 

time. 

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, at this 

time, I yield as much time as she may 

consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from the United States Virgin 

Islands, Dr. CHRISTENSEN. 

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank the 

ranking member for yielding. 

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong 

support of H.R. 3706, legislation I introduced to provide for a Chief Financial 

Officer for the Government of the Virgin Islands. I want to begin by thanking Chairman HASTINGS and Ranking 

Member MARKEY of the Natural Resources Committee for their support in 

making it possible for H.R. 3706 to be 

on the floor today. I also want to thank 

Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, 

Oceans and Insular Affairs Chairman 

JOHN FLEMING and, of course, Ranking 

Member KILILI SABLAN for their support, as well. 

Mr. Speaker, today, as you heard, 

marks the fourth time in 9 years that 

this House will consider legislation 

that I have sponsored to provide for a 

CFO for my congressional district, the 

U.S. Virgin Islands. It has passed the 

previous three times. 

While I have been severely criticized 

by some for its introduction, there are 

many who support it. But I continue to 

believe that having an independent 

professional third party being responsible for determining the amount of 

revenues that the local government has 

available to spend for an ensuing fiscal 

year would be a positive development 

for our government and is also generally supported by a broad cross-section of our electorate. 

When I first sponsored the first CFO 

bill in 2003, the Territory was technically insolvent, and urgent action 

was necessary to avoid needing a Federal bailout and all that would entail. 

After studying the experience of the 

District of Columbia, which sought and 

obtained a Federal bailout and the accompanying loss of political autonomy 

through a financial control board, I 

concluded then that it would have been 

better if we avoided being taken over 

by a control board, and I crafted my 

original CFO bill to do that. 

Unlike H.R. 3706, my first chief financial officer bill did involve a loss of authority for the Governor and legislature to accumulate public debt, but it 

was temporary and would have prevented a complete loss of political autonomy. Today, while the territory is 

experiencing very serious fiscal challenges, the government is not on the 

verge of imminent fiscal collapse and 

no longer has a structural deficit over 

$1 billion or annual deficits in excess of 

$100 million. 

In view of this, one could reasonably 

ask, then, why the need for the current 

bill? First of all, H.R. 3706 seeks to end 

the acrimony and mistrust among the 

different branches of Virgin Islands 

Government and the public at large 

and provide for revenue projections 

from a highly qualified person. This individual would be appointed by the 

Governor and confirmed by the legislature but does not serve at the pleasure 

of the Governor. 

This is the process that is used by the 

District of Columbia currently through 

its CFO, and there have been no complaints from the chief executive of 

D.C., the mayor, about a loss of sovereignty or of a return to colonialism. 

Since last year, when the Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh, Jr., announced a pending $135 million deficit 

in his budget projections for fiscal year 

2012, several members of the 29th legislature questioned the Governor’s numbers and they have continued to do so, 

pointing to differences in figures between reports done by auditors and figures presented in budget documents. 

b 1710 

Similarly, public sector union members who have been greatly impacted 

by various austerity measures also 

scoffed at the budget projections, saying: 

there had not been enough transparency to 

truly demonstrate that there really was a financial crisis and (that there was) no other 

way to solve it but layoffs or pay cuts. 

H.R. 3706 does not affect in any way 

the Governor or the legislature’s ability to spend the territory’s funds as 

they see fit. It simply attempts to end 

questions on what the exact revenue of 

the territory is so that we can move 

forward on a sound economic recovery. 

I’m not under any allusion that my 

CFO bill will be a cure-all for all that 

ails the Virgin Islands. I am, however, 

proposing it as a 5-year pilot program 

for improving transparency and trust 

in our budgetary and fiscal practices. If 

Virgin Islanders approve of the process 

and system for determining our annual 

budget limits that the bill provides, 

they can vote to make it permanent 

through a referendum that is provided 

for after 4 years of the CFO’s 5-year 

term. 

Each time I have introduced this or 

one of the earlier versions of this bill, 

there have been concerns that the 

United States Congress is imposing 

itself into the governance of the territory. There are some that would wish 

that this were the case, but I am not 

one of them, and this bill would not do 

that. 

Because we do not have a constitution, the people of the Virgin Islands 

have come to Congress on a number of 

occasions, for example, to attempt to 

abolish the Office of Lieutenant Governor; to expand borrowing authority, 

which we did; to limit the number of 

senators, and for other purposes. I 

don’t really see this process as being 

any different coming as a representative of the people of the Virgin Islands 

and representing their interests. 

Moreover, attempts by our local legislature to pass similar legislation 

have failed, and legislative proposals 

by nonpartisan organizations have 

never been considered. Therefore, as a 

representative of the people of the U.S. 

Virgin Islands in the Congress, it fell 

to me, and I accept the responsibility. 

I just regret that our Governor and I 

could not see eye to eye on this. 

The Federal Government has and will 

be providing significant funds to the 

U.S. Virgin Islands, especially in light 

of the economic disaster that currently 

exists. I am sure that having such an 

office as the one being proposed by 

H.R. 3706 will enhance our ability to 

successfully navigate through this very 

critical time because of the added accountability and transparency that it 

provides. 

So I thank you for the time, and I 

urge my colleagues to support the 

adoption of H.R. 3706. 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I’d like 

to inquire if my colleague, Mr. SABLAN, 

has any further speakers. 

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, at this 

time I have no further speakers, and I 

urge the adoption of the legislation. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

Mr. LAMBORN. I, too, yield back the 

balance of my time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 


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July 31, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5437 

the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 

LAMBORN) that the House suspend the 

rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3706, as 

amended. 

The question was taken. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the 

opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being 

in the affirmative, the ayes have it. 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I object 

to the vote on the ground that a 

quorum is not present and make the 

point of order that a quorum is not 

present. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. 

The point of no quorum is considered 

withdrawn. 

f 

LA PINE LAND CONVEYANCE ACT 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I move 

to suspend the rules and pass the bill 

(S. 270) to direct the Secretary of the 

Interior to convey certain Federal land 

to Deschutes County, Oregon. 

The Clerk read the title of the bill. 

The text of the bill is as follows: 

S. 270 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in 

Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘La Pine 

Land Conveyance Act’’. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) CITY.—The term ‘‘City’’ means the City 

of La Pine, Oregon. 

(2) COUNTY.—The term ‘‘County’’ means 

the County of Deschutes, Oregon. 

(3) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map 

entitled ‘‘La Pine, Oregon Land Transfer’’ 

and dated December 11, 2009. 

(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ 

means the Secretary of the Interior, acting 

through the Director of the Bureau of Land 

Management. 

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCES OF LAND. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable 

after the date of enactment of this Act, subject to valid existing rights and the provisions of this Act, and notwithstanding the 

land use planning requirements of sections 

202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712, 1713), 

the Secretary shall convey to the City or 

County, without consideration, all right, 

title, and interest of the United States in 

and to each parcel of land described in subsection (b) for which the City or County has 

submitted to the Secretary a request for conveyance by the date that is not later than 1 

year after the date of enactment of this Act. 

(b) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The parcels of 

land referred to in subsection (a) consist of— 

(1) the approximately 150 acres of land 

managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District, Oregon, depicted 

on the map as ‘‘parcel A’’, to be conveyed to 

the County, which is subject to a right-ofway retained by the Bureau of Land Management for a power substation and transmission line; 

(2) the approximately 750 acres of land 

managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District, Oregon, depicted 

on the map as ‘‘parcel B’’, to be conveyed to 

the County; and 

(3) the approximately 10 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, 

Prineville District, Oregon, depicted on the 

map as ‘‘parcel C’’, to be conveyed to the 

City. 

(c) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The map shall 

be on file and available for public inspection 

in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of 

Land Management. 

(d) USE OF CONVEYED LAND.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with the Act of 

June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the 

‘‘Recreation and Public Purposes Act’’) (43 

U.S.C. 869 et seq.), the land conveyed under 

subsection (a) shall be used for the following 

public purposes and associated uses: 

(A) The parcel described in subsection 

(b)(1) shall be used for outdoor recreation, 

open space, or public parks, including a 

rodeo ground. 

(B) The parcel described in subsection 

(b)(2) shall be used for a public sewer system. 

(C) The parcel described in subsection 

(b)(3) shall be used for a public library, public park, or open space. 

(2) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— 

The Secretary may require such additional 

terms and conditions for the conveyances 

under subsection (a) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. 

(e) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—The Secretary 

shall require the County to pay all survey 

costs and other administrative costs associated with the conveyances to the County 

under this Act. 

(f) REVERSION.—If the land conveyed under 

subsection (a) ceases to be used for the public purpose for which the land was conveyed, 

the land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 

Colorado (Mr. LAMBORN) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. SABLAN) each will control 20 

minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Colorado. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask 

unanimous consent that all Members 

may have 5 legislative days to revise 

and extend their remarks and include 

extraneous materials on the bill under 

consideration. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. LAMBORN. I yield myself such 

time as I may consume. 

S. 270 will convey to the city of La 

Pine and Deschutes County, Oregon, 

910 acres in three parcels and requires 

that the land be used only for purposes 

consistent with the Recreation and 

Public Purposes Act. The conveyances 

would be subject to valid existing 

rights and will address the city’s and 

county’s need for existing land. 

One parcel of 750 acres will be used by 

the county to accommodate the expansion of its wastewater treatment facilities. The county will also use 150 acres 

to develop rodeo grounds and allow for 

the future development of ball fields, 

parks, and recreation facilities. A parcel of 10 acres in the center of La Pine 

will continue to be used for the public 

library and additional open space use. 

Finally, the bill requires the county 

to pay all administrative costs associated with the transfer. 

I urge support for the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. 

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

myself such time as I may consume. 

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given 

permission to revise and extend his remarks.) 

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, S. 270, 

sponsored by Senator RON WYDEN, provides for the conveyance of approximately 900 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management to the city 

of La Pine, Oregon, and Deschutes 

County, Oregon. These lands will be 

used for public purposes as required by 

the Recreation and Public Purposes 

Act. We do not object to this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my 

time. 

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

such time as he may consume to the 

gentleman from Oregon, my good 

friend and colleague, Mr. WALDEN. 

Mr. WALDEN. I want to thank my 

colleagues here on the floor today for 

their support of this legislation, S. 270, 

the La Pine Land Conveyance Act. 

This legislation was originally crafted over in the Senate by my friend and 

colleague, Senator WYDEN. We’ve 

worked together on this project and 

thought that the most expeditious way 

to solve the problem for the people of 

La Pine was to just move his bill on 

through the Senate, and that’s what 

we’re doing today. 

The La Pine Land Conveyance Act is 

the result of efforts of local officials 

who recognized years ago that for Oregon’s newest city, the city of La Pine, 

to be able to take care of its residents, 

it needed a helping hand from the Federal Government. Here’s why: 

Seventy-eight percent of Deschutes 

County, the county in which the city of 

La Pine is located, is managed, owned, 

and controlled by the Federal Government. They’re literally surrounded by 

Federal land. In fact, their own library 

sits on BLM land. 

So, as they became a city and began 

to try to address the issues that 

brought about their desire to be a city, 

they realized they needed to be able to 

expand a little and take care of some of 

their problems. So, S. 270 will provide 

the city with 750 acres so it can build a 

new wastewater treatment facility, 

which will allow the community to 

move off of septic systems and onto 

municipal water and sewer systems. 

They have a real problem in La Pine 

with a fairly high water table and 

issues related to septic systems, so this 

will help solve that. 

In addition, this legislation also 

transfers 150 acres to the La Pine Park 

and Recreation District to establish a 

more permanent home for what’s 

known as the ‘‘Greatest Little Rodeo 

in Oregon,’’ the La Pine Rodeo, and 

also to help them build out one of their 

other celebrations, one which all Americans take advantage of, and that’s the 

Fourth of July. 

Now, why are these two things important? Well, among another reasons, 

it’s a job creator. Expanding out the 

rodeo grounds really will help them 

grow jobs in this remote, rural community in Deschutes County. In addition, 


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