Federal Land Within the Southeast Bill

[Emsworth]

The Southeast does not "want" the land so that it can make a profit. Rather, the we merely believe that regions rather than the federal government are the proper bodies to be in charge of parks.

[Bono]

I wonder why Bono has not contributed to this debate so far?

Because that's what my elected representatives are for.

[MasterJedi]

Okay, let me give an example:  There is currently a proposal in the Senate to privatize the Tennessee Valley Authority.  Whether or not it gets privatized will effect the Southeast people alone, yet they have no say in the matter beyond one Senator.  All they are asking is to be allowed to make those decisions themselves, instead of having a group of Senators, most of which won't be effected by what they're doing, decide for them.  With this bill, the Southeast gain control of their land, and we get rid of a monetary burden.

The Federal Government built the Tenneessee Vally Authority so they have the right to privatize it if they want. Now if they didn't build it and the Southeast did than that's another story where I wouldn't support it.

[CheeseWhiz]

Okay, let me give an example:  There is currently a proposal in the Senate to privatize the Tennessee Valley Authority.  Whether or not it gets privatized will effect the Southeast people alone, yet they have no say in the matter beyond one Senator.  All they are asking is to be allowed to make those decisions themselves, instead of having a group of Senators, most of which won't be effected by what they're doing, decide for them.  With this bill, the Southeast gain control of their land, and we get rid of a monetary burden.

The Federal Government built the Tenneessee Vally Authority so they have the right to privatize it if they want. Now if they didn't build it and the Southeast did than that's another story where I wouldn't support it.

I understand that, but they built it for the people of the Southeast, and what happens to it effects them, not us.  I think they should have the ultimate say in what happens to it and the rest of the Federal land within the Southeast.

The point is, if it stays at the Federal level, we have a group of Senators from all around the country deciding what to do with it, and they may or may not have the Southeast people's best interest at heart.  If we give it to the Regions, any privatization, and any increase or decrease in spending, would have to go through a popular vote, so it would be the people's interest.

[MasterJedi]

Since nobody can agree here can we get a vote on Colin's amendment?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The amendment was proposed before certain facts came to light... I'd like to know if Colin still wants a vote on it before we vote on it.

Bah, all this is confusing as hell...

[minionofmidas]

He actually proposed two amendments if I read correctly.

[MasterJedi]

He actually proposed two amendments if I read correctly.

I belive it was one amendment with two parts.

[TomC]

The amendment was proposed before certain facts came to light... I'd like to know if Colin still wants a vote on it before we vote on it.

Bah, all this is confusing as hell...

It does not have to be confusing. It is a general request from the people of the Southeast. Now, the senate must decide what to do with that request.

[CheeseWhiz]

Since nobody can agree here can we get a vote on Colin's amendment?

First I would like to know what exactly you don't like about this bill.  People have had many different concerns, which I have tried to address, now if you could directly tell me those concerns, I think I could address them better.

Why I support this:
Because it allows the Southeastern people to decide what happens to the land, instead of a group of Senators who may or may not have the Southeast Region's best interest at heart.
Because it takes a monetary burden off the Federal Government.  This, however, is just an added bonus.
Because I support the Regions having more control over what happens in their land then the Feds.  In other words, this is (kinda) a Regional Rights issue for me (kinda.)

[Colin]

The amendment was proposed before certain facts came to light... I'd like to know if Colin still wants a vote on it before we vote on it.

Bah, all this is confusing as hell...

No I don't want them brought up to a vote. Much more pressing amendments are needed concerning which lands will be turned over and to set monetary compensation for the federal government.

[Joe Republic]

With the impending threat of a veto, it is my wish that the legislation is withdrawn, as I do not wish to waste the Senate's time on something that won't get through.

There is no particular need for that, Senator.  My opposition to the bill is only based on its current language.  If it can be amended to address the major concerns that have been raised here, then I may be persuaded to change my mind.

[Ebowed]

As it stands, I or anyone else am unable to provide a list of federal land within the Southeast.  As this is a demand of many, it is unlikely it will get through the Senate at all, veto or no veto.  The issue will hopefully be revisited if a similar resolution passes in the Midwest, however.

[Joe Republic]

Would this link be of any use to you?

[Ebowed]

Would this link be of any use to you?

Oh yeah... that would be.

I'll compile a list.

[Ebowed]

Federal Lands In the Southeast

This list will not include land owned by the Department of Defense, as military land is exempted by the bill.

SOUTH CAROLINA
- Sumter National Forest (three locations)
- Kings Mountain National Military Park
- Savannah River Plant
- Carolina Sandhills NWR
- Congaree Swamp National Monument
- Waccama NWR
- Santee NWR
- ACE Basin NWR (two locations)
- Savannah NWR
- Pinckney Island NWR
- Francis Marion National Forest
- Cape Romain NWR
http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/fedlands/sc.pdf

TENNESSEE
- Reelfoot NWR
- Lake Isom NWR
- Chickasaw NWR
- Lower Hatchie NWR
- Shiloh National Military Park
- Hatchie NWR
- Beech Lake
- Kentucky River
- Tennessee NWR
- Lake Barkley
- Cheatham Lake
- Stones River NB
- J Parcy Priest Lake
- Old Hickory Lake
- Tims Ford Lake
- Normandy Lake
- Cordell Hill Lake
- Arnold Engineering Development Center
- Pickwick Lake
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Center Hill Lake
- Chickamuaga Lake
- Nickajack Lake
- Woods Reservoir
- Ocoee Lake
- Watts Bar Lake
- Norris Lake
- Melton Hill Lake
- Fort Loundon Lake
- Telico Lake
- Cherokee NF
- Douglas Lake
- Great Smokey Mountains National Park
- Cherokee Lake
- Chickamauga and Chatanooga National Military Park
- Cherokee National Forest
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

More later

[Jake]

We may want to remove Oak Ridge BTW

[minionofmidas]

He actually proposed two amendments if I read correctly.

I belive it was one amendment with two parts.

It doesn't matter now (obviously. Doesn't matter at all.), but though it was in the same thread and it could easily have been one amendment with two parts, the wording is such that it's two amendments.
If I still can read, and unless there's a later post by him somewhere in the thread changing that.

[TomC]

We may want to remove Oak Ridge BTW

Yes, please.

[Ebowed]

Sorry, I haven't compiled any further as my Internet was down for the last 18 hours or so.  I'll get back to work soon.

[Ebowed]

OK, I'm going to withdraw the bill and give it a re-write.  The text of the new bill will include the full list of lands to be turned over.  I'm sure someone will be willing to introduce it in the next Senate session when I've gotten around to writing the new version.

[Jake]

OK, I'm going to withdraw the bill and give it a re-write.  The text of the new bill will include the full list of lands to be turned over.  I'm sure someone will be willing to introduce it in the next Senate session when I've gotten around to writing the new version.

Yes