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[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 83 (Thursday, May 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6848-S6849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                        GEORGIA AND LARRY TALSMA

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, this week I have been fortunate to visit 
with two citizens from Springfield, SD--Georgia and Larry Talsma. 
Georgia and Larry made their first trip ever to Washington, DC, by car. 
The Talsmas are the quintessential hard-working South Dakota ranch 
family. They and their ancestors have worked the land for five 
generations. They know the importance of proper stewardship of the 
land, because without this respect there would be nothing for the next 
generation.
  The Talsmas came to Washington to tell their story of how the Federal 
Government is intruding on their land and threatening to take over 
their private property. Amazing as this may sound, Mr. President, it is 
true.
  In 1991, Congress passed legislation to designate the 39-mile segment 
of the Missouri River from the headwaters of Lewis and Clark Lake to 
the Ft. Randall Dam as a recreational river to be administered by the 
National Park Service. Today, however, the process to achieve this 
designation has raised great controversy. In fact, the local citizens 
along this segment of the Missouri River now question the need for the 
designation. I agree with those South Dakotans, including the Talsmas.
  During the first public meeting on the designation, pamphlets were 
handed out describing how the Park Service acquires private property. 
Mr. President, most, if not all, of the South Dakotans in attendance 
were not even aware of the river designation, let alone the possibility 
of the Federal Government condemning their land and buying it out from 
under them.
  Their concerns and fears were fed by representatives of the National 
Park Service who stated that if they, the Park Service, cannot own this 
land, then they will control it.
  This morning I asked the Director of the National Park Service to 
come to my office and listen to the Talsmas. At that meeting I told the 
Director that I intended to introduce legislation to undo the 
designation in South Dakota. This is an effort the Talsmas and other 
South Dakotans strongly support.
  I also asked the Director to listen to the Talsmas and see what steps 
could be taken by the Park Service to address the needs of South 
Dakotans. While Director Kennedy informed the Talsmas that the Park 
Service did not want to buy or control their land or claim eminent 
domain, the Talsmas correctly pointed out that the ``Devil is in the 
details.''
  The Talsmas informed the Director they were being told just the 
opposite at the
 public meetings and that is why they felt they had to come to 
Washington to get their message across. Their primary concern is not 
for themselves, but for their children and future generations of South 
Dakotans who depend on the land for their survival.

  I am pleased to report that due to the efforts of the Talsmas, 
something good came out of the meeting. First, the Park Service agreed 
to push back the deadline for a preferred alternative to no earlier 
than August 1, 1995. Just a few days ago the Talsmas were told they had 
only 5 days to review and comment on the preferred alternatives. This 
extreme time limit simply is not fair. I told the Director that South 
Dakotans needed the time to tell their story and have input into the 
decisionmaking process. Director Kennedy agreed.
  Director Kennedy also assured the Talsmas there would be at least a 
60-day comment period on any preferred alternative. If more time is 
needed, Director Kennedy said he would be willing to provide such time.
  Director Kennedy also told me his office would provide legislative 
language [[Page S6849]] to me that would assure local control over the 
river. I look forward to reviewing the language and if appropriate will 
push for its immediate approval by the Congress.
  Mr. President, I will continue to work with Georgia and Larry Talsma 
and other South Dakota landowners to see that their property and their 
rights are fully protected, and are not overrun by the Federal 
Government.
  Federal policy is moving ever closer toward infringement of 
individual private property rights. One of America's founding 
principles is the right of citizens to own private property. These 
rights must be closely guarded.
  Mr. President, I am proud South Dakota has citizens such as Georgia 
and Larry Talsma. Their determination, and hard work actually moved 
Washington to action. They had to take time off their ranching chores 
and drive all the way to Washington to move a bureaucratic mountain. I 
am please they achieved progress.
  I am proud of the Talsmas and what they have accomplished. They are 
to be commended. Their battle is not over yet, but Mr. President, their 
action is proof that this is a government of and for the people.
  Mr. GORTON addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, what is the status at the present time? 
Are we under a time limitation?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. We remain in morning business until 12 
o'clock. Statements, unless under a previous order, are limited to 5 
minutes each.
  Mr. GORTON. I ask unanimous consent to proceed in morning business 
for not to exceed 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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