At a hearing today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) pushed for her Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoirs Conveyances Act, which would give Nebraskans more control over their communities by transferring reservoir land from the federal government to local counties. The hearing was held by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Water and Power Subcommittee. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on a companion bill introduced by U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03).

Senator Fischer and Representative Smith introduced this legislation at the request of Swanson and Red Willow residents and Hitchcock and Frontier County commissioners. If passed, the legislation will transfer the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) Swanson Reservoir land to Hitchcock County and the BoR Red Willow Reservoir land to Frontier County. The Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoir Conveyances Act is cosponsored by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).

“Swanson and Red Willow residents want to enjoy local reservoirs and preserve local small businesses. But to keep doing that, they need control over their communities and the land around them. My bill will do that by transferring land from the federal government to Hitchcock and Frontier Counties. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and the House to pass this legislation,” said Senator Fischer.

“This bill is very important to residents of the Swanson and Red Willow reservoirs. Our delegation has acted quickly to find a solution that worked for the community, protected homes, and supported local businesses. This week’s hearings bring us one step closer to passage of this legislation in both the House and Senate,” said Senator Ricketts.

“This week’s hearings are a significant step forward after years of hard work by community members, Hitchcock and Frontier County leaders, and our delegation to find a solution for the reservoir communities. I am pleased to see this progress made to ensure the communities are not harmed by arbitrary bureaucratic decisions and local economies can thrive. I appreciate Sen. Fischer’s work to advance companion legislation in the Senate, and I will continue fighting for appropriate local control as the legislative process continues,” said Rep. Smith.

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Following is a transcript of Senator Fischer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Risch:

Thank you for holding this hearing and including my legislation, S. 4347, the Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoirs Land Conveyances Act on the agenda.

I’ve working alongside Hitchcock and Frontier County Commissioners, the concessionaires, impacted community members, and the Bureau of Reclamation on this legislation to allow 77.2 acres of land around the Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoirs to be conveyed at fair market value to the counties.

Transferring this land to the local counties will chart a better path for the local community and the federal government.

This will allow community members to continue to enjoy the reservoirs and preserve numerous small businesses that operate in the area.

I’ve heard from over 1,000 constituents since I’ve introduced the legislation along with receiving numerous letters of support from local communities and businesses.

Action on this legislation is urgent, as the Bureau of Reclamation’s extended concession contracts expire in February of 2025 and some community members face being displaced due to the Bureau of Reclamation’s plan to end private exclusive use at the reservoirs.

Hitchcock and Frontier Counties are committed to ensuring continued public access to the reservoirs and providing effective management that is responsive to the local communities.

A number of the county commissioners, community members, and concessionaires traveled from Nebraska to be here today, a testament to the importance of getting this legislation signed into law and their commitment to providing effective management for the land.

I am also glad the entire Nebraska congressional delegation as well as members of Congress from Kansas, have joined me on this legislation and that just yesterday the House Natural Resources Committee also held a hearing on companion legislation.

I strongly support the full committee taking up and passing S. 4347, the Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoir Conveyances Act, swiftly, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this legislation signed into law this year.