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TESTIMONY OF SENATOR PAUL LAXALT. June 30. 1987 



First, to refresh the recollection of all concerned, the 

 delegation achieved agreement during the last session, along 

 with all those involved, as to boundaries. I think it is 

 important that the boundaries in the current bills be restored 

 as nearly as possible to those established in the 1986 bills. 



The Peavine Mountain area is characteristic of national 

 forest lands and should be included in the enhancement area. 

 Peavine is important to the citizens of Washoe County for the 

 recreation it offers, as a scenic backdrop to the cities of 

 Reno and Sparks, as watershed for the City of Reno, and as 

 critical wildlife habitat. It is my understanding that Washoe 

 County has adopted a resolution for Peavine inclusion and that 

 the Cities of Reno and Sparks will do the same. 



Such inclusion will also ease administrative burdens in 

 the area. As now proposed, S. 59 does little to improve the 

 administrative capabilities of either agency in the Peavine 

 area. In fact, should the bill pass with the current 

 boundaries, only one half of one section near Peavine Peak will 

 transfer from the BLM to the Forest Service. We must remember 

 that one of the goals of both the Interchange legislation and 

 subsequent Enhancement Act bills was to help alleviate 

 administrative inefficiencies. 



Secondly, the water rights language currently contained 

 in the bill is unsatisfactory, in my opinion. Subsection (b). 

 Section 8, of S. 59 as written is identical to subsection (b) 



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