Title: Southeastern Oregon Development Act
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Southeastern Oregon Development Act
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants for projects in Oregon to develop modern and efficient water systems.
USDA shall establish an Agricultural Center for Rangeland Excellence in Malheur County, Oregon (the county).
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 is amended to make the rural firefighters and emergency medical service assistance program permanent and require grant amounts to fund the operating expenses of firefighters in rural areas.
The Departments of Homeland Security, of Defense, and of the Interior shall establish programs for transferring surplus equipment that can be used in fire fighting.
Interior shall establish a program of strategic fuel breaks from which firefighters can operate safely to preserve critical sage grouse habitat and support the nearby ranching community.
USDA shall make grants for infrastructure projects for drinking water and wastewater systems and for improvement of broadband or cellular service.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall study rural air services and infrastructure for Ontario (Oregon) Municipal Airport.
DOT shall:
The Department of Labor shall make grants for workforce development training activities in the county.
USDA shall conduct a study on the need for an economic regional commission in specified counties in Oregon.
The bill establishes the Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area, comprising 2.065 million acres of specified federal land in the county, which shall be withdrawn from certain public land, mining, and mineral leasing laws.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1714 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1714

 To provide for the conduct of certain economic activities in Malheur 
County, Oregon, to provide for the conduct of a study on the need for a 
   regional economic commission for certain counties in the State of 
  Oregon, to withdraw certain Federal land located in Malheur County, 
 Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
 public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, 
 and operation under the mineral leasing laws, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 2, 2017

Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; 
  which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide for the conduct of certain economic activities in Malheur 
County, Oregon, to provide for the conduct of a study on the need for a 
   regional economic commission for certain counties in the State of 
  Oregon, to withdraw certain Federal land located in Malheur County, 
 Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
 public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, 
 and operation under the mineral leasing laws, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) In General.--This Act may be cited as the ``Southeastern Oregon 
Development Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
    TITLE I--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHEASTERN OREGON

Sec. 101. Water development.
Sec. 102. Establishment of an Agricultural Center for Rangeland 
                            Excellence.
Sec. 103. Rural fire assistance.
Sec. 104. Infrastructure assistance to promote economic development in 
                            rural communities.
Sec. 105. Workforce development training grants.
Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations.
                  TITLE II--REGIONAL COMMISSION STUDY

Sec. 201. Study.
             TITLE III--SOUTHEASTERN OREGON WITHDRAWAL AREA

Sec. 301. Definitions.
Sec. 302. Designation of Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area.
Sec. 303. Purposes and management.
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 305. Effect of title.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) City.--The term ``City'' means a city or unincorporated 
        community in the County.
            (2) County.--The term ``County'' means Malheur County, 
        Oregon.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Oregon.
            (5) Withdrawal area.--The term ``withdrawal area'' means 
        the Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area established by section 
        302(a).

    TITLE I--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHEASTERN OREGON

SEC. 101. WATER DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide grants 
for projects in the State to develop modern and efficient water systems 
that are designed--
            (1) to provide adequate water supply and improve water 
        storage for livestock, other agricultural users, and wildlife;
            (2) to keep livestock out of rivers, streams, and riparian 
        areas; and
            (3) to find innovative ways to address water needs for 
        fighting fires and protecting habitats.
    (b) Updates and Replacements to Watering Systems.--In providing 
grants under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture may provide 
grants for projects in the State to update or replace watering systems 
within the boundary of the withdrawal area with more efficient systems.

SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL CENTER FOR RANGELAND 
              EXCELLENCE.

    The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an Agricultural Center 
for Rangeland Excellence to be located in the County--
            (1) to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture 
        Research Station in Harney County, Oregon, Oregon State 
        University Extension Livestock Rangeland Management Program in 
        the County, local agricultural producers, and other entities, 
        as appropriate;
            (2) to conduct rangeland and grazing research, including 
        the conduct of research that addresses invasive species and 
        water storage improvements for livestock and wildlife;
            (3) to collaborate with agricultural researchers and 
        producers in the County and surrounding area to improve grazing 
        practices; and
            (4) to provide to the Director of the Bureau of Land 
        Management any findings of the Center to assist in preparing 
        applicable allotment management plans.

SEC. 103. RURAL FIRE ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Reauthorization of Rural Firefighter Assistance Program.--
            (1) Use of funds.--Section 6405(d) of the Farm Security and 
        Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2655(d)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) to fund operating expenses of firefighters, 
        including expenses for training, equipment, insurance, 
        maintenance, and fuel.''.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 6405(g)(1) of 
        the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
        2655(g)(1)) is amended by striking ``each of fiscal years 2008 
        through 2012'' and inserting ``each fiscal year''.
            (3) Limitation.--Section 6405 of the Farm Security and 
        Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2655) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Limitation.--In carrying out the program under this section, 
the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize the 
administrative and paperwork burden imposed on recipients of financial 
assistance under this section.''.
    (b) Surplus Equipment Program.--The Secretaries of Homeland 
Security and Defense and the Secretary (referred to in this subsection 
as the ``Secretaries'') shall establish a program within the 
Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and the Interior, 
respectively, under which the Secretaries shall transfer to States and 
units of local government surplus equipment of the applicable 
Department that can be used in firefighting, including surplus 
mechanical equipment and communication devices.
    (c) Establishment of Fuel Breaks Along Certain Eligible Access 
Roads.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
        within the Bureau of Land Management for the establishment and 
        maintenance of strategic fuel breaks from which firefighters 
        would be able to safely operate--
                    (A) to preserve critical sage grouse habitat; and
                    (B) to support the ranching community in the 
                vicinity of the fuel breaks.
            (2) Priority.--In determining the placement of strategic 
        fuel breaks under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) consult with land managers to assess whether 
                the fuel break serves the purposes described in that 
                paragraph; and
                    (B) give priority to fuel breaks that the Secretary 
                determines would serve the purposes described in that 
                paragraph.

SEC. 104. INFRASTRUCTURE ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN 
              RURAL COMMUNITIES.

    (a) Infrastructure Grants for Communities in the County.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture (acting 
        through the Under Secretary for Rural Development) (referred to 
        in this subsection as the ``Secretary'') shall provide to 
        eligible communities described in paragraph (2) grants for 
        infrastructure projects in the eligible communities, 
        including--
                    (A) projects relating to drinking water and 
                wastewater systems; and
                    (B) projects for the improvement of broadband or 
                cellular service.
            (2) Eligible community.--An eligible community referred to 
        in paragraph (1) is a community that is--
                    (A) incorporated or recognized in the County land 
                use plan or a regional land use plan; or
                    (B) within tribal jurisdictional boundaries in the 
                County.
            (3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection an eligible community described in paragraph 
        (2) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, 
        in such manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require.
    (b) Study of Rural Air Service.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
        conduct a study of infrastructure needs in rural communities 
        and improvements for rural air services and infrastructure that 
        would support commercial, charter, or subscription air service 
        at the Ontario Municipal Airport, which shall focus on--
                    (A) the air service needs of the County and 
                surrounding areas;
                    (B) improving access for tourism to the County;
                    (C) supporting firefighting staging and deployment;
                    (D) supporting commercial, recreational, and 
                agricultural needs; and
                    (E) improving economic development opportunities in 
                the County through transportation improvements.
            (2) Report.--On completion of the study under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the 
        results of the study.
    (c) Construction of Innovative Agricultural Transportation 
Infrastructure.--
            (1) Grant.--The Secretary of Transportation may provide to 
        the State a grant for the construction or improvement of 
        transportation systems facilitating the efficient movement of 
        agricultural and other products through the Treasure Valley 
        Intermodal Transfer Facility in the County.
            (2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, the State shall submit to the Secretary of 
        Transportation an application at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary of Transportation 
        may require.
    (d) Transportation System Improvements.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
        provide financial assistance to the County for the conduct of 
        projects that would improve--
                    (A) the downtown area of the Cities and surrounding 
                communities; and
                    (B) transportation within the Cities, including--
                            (i) projects relating to--
                                    (I) pedestrian, bicycle, and 
                                transit access in the Cities; and
                                    (II) safety corridors in the 
                                Cities;
                            (ii) projects to improve access to, and 
                        improvements for, trails along waterfronts in 
                        the Cities;
                            (iii) projects to ensure the availability 
                        of transit for senior citizens; and
                            (iv) projects to improve the availability 
                        of transit for workers and individuals needing 
                        transportation to healthcare appointments.
            (2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive financial 
        assistance under this subsection, the County shall submit to 
        the Secretary of Transportation an application at such time, in 
        such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
        of Transportation may require.
    (e) Lake Owyhee Road Transportation Improvement Projects.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
        provide to the State grants to support transportation projects 
        to improve--
                    (A) the safety and security of the Owyhee Project; 
                and
                    (B) transportation access routes associated with 
                the Owyhee Project.
            (2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, the State shall submit to the Secretary of 
        Transportation an application at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary of Transportation 
        may require.

SEC. 105. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING GRANTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``eligible entity'' means 
                a public or private nonprofit agency or organization or 
                a consortium of public or private nonprofit agencies or 
                organizations.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``eligible entity'' 
                includes--
                            (i) a community-based organization;
                            (ii) a faith-based organization;
                            (iii) an entity carrying out activities 
                        under title I of the Workforce Innovation and 
                        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.), such 
                        as a local board;
                            (iv) a community action agency;
                            (v) a State or local housing development 
                        agency;
                            (vi) an Indian tribe or other agency 
                        primarily serving members of Indian tribes;
                            (vii) a community development corporation;
                            (viii) a State or local youth service or 
                        conservation corps; and
                            (ix) any other entity eligible to provide 
                        education or employment training under a 
                        Federal program (other than the program carried 
                        out under this section).
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor.
    (b) Establishment of Grant Program.--The Secretary shall establish 
within the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of 
Labor a program to provide to eligible entities grants for the conduct 
of workforce development training activities in the County.
    (c) Priorities.--In providing grants under subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall give priority to activities relating to--
            (1) providing career technical education and training to 
        youth under the Malheur County Poverty to Prosperity program;
            (2) training for adults that are reentering the workforce 
        or seeking to improve career opportunities; and
            (3) training in agriculture and ranching for veterans and 
        youth, including the use of innovative agricultural practices 
        and conservation techniques.
    (d) Applications.--To be eligible to receive financial assistance 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this title.

                  TITLE II--REGIONAL COMMISSION STUDY

SEC. 201. STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study on the 
need for an economic regional commission based on economic need in each 
of the following counties in the State:
            (1) Malheur County.
            (2) Klamath County.
            (3) Lake County.
            (4) Harney County.
            (5) Grant County.
            (6) Baker County.
            (7) Wheeler County.
    (b) Report.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress 
a report on the results of the study under subsection (a).

             TITLE III--SOUTHEASTERN OREGON WITHDRAWAL AREA

SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Eligible federal land.--The term ``eligible Federal 
        land'' means--
                    (A) any federally owned land or interest in the 
                federally owned land depicted on the Map; and
                    (B) any land or interest in land located within the 
                withdrawal area that is acquired by the Federal 
                Government after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
        ``Southeastern Oregon Mineral Withdrawal Map-Proposed'' and 
        dated June 7, 2016.

SEC. 302. DESIGNATION OF SOUTHEASTERN OREGON WITHDRAWAL AREA.

    (a) In General.--There is established the Southeastern Oregon 
Withdrawal Area, comprising approximately 2,065,000 acres of eligible 
Federal land in the County, as generally depicted on the Map.
    (b) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the eligible 
Federal land is withdrawn from all forms of--
            (1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public 
        land laws;
            (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
            (3) operation under the mineral leasing laws.
    (c) Availability of Map.--The Map shall be on file and available 
for inspection in the appropriate offices of the Director of the Bureau 
of Land Management.
    (d) Effect on Geothermal Leases.--This section shall not apply to 
geothermal leases issued as of or after the date of enactment of this 
Act in the withdrawal area.

SEC. 303. PURPOSES AND MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of the withdrawal area are--
            (1) to preserve the traditional uses and values of the 
        communities in the vicinity of the withdrawal area;
            (2) to protect against the harmful effects mining and oil 
        and gas extraction could have on the unique and important 
        resources of the region, particularly water quality, grazing, 
        and other economic development opportunities; and
            (3)(A) to support the continuation of grazing in and around 
        the withdrawal area; and
            (B) to recognize the significance of grazing in the 
        economy, history, and culture of the County.
    (b) Maps and Legal Description.--
            (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file with the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
        a map and legal description of the withdrawal area.
            (2) Force and effect.--The map and legal description filed 
        under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if 
        included in this title, except that the Secretary may correct 
        clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal 
        description.
            (3) Availability.--The map and legal description filed 
        under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public 
        inspection in--
                    (A) the office of the Director of the Bureau of 
                Land Management; and
                    (B) the appropriate office of the Bureau of Land 
                Management in the State.

SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this title.

SEC. 305. EFFECT OF TITLE.

    Nothing in this title restricts livestock grazing, law enforcement 
activities, wildfire management, hunting, fishing, fish and wildlife 
management activities, other authorized uses, or Federal, State, or 
local agency authorities allowed on the date of enactment of this Act 
on the eligible Federal land in accordance with applicable law.
                                 <all>