The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill to force the Forest Service to complete a land exchange on Mt. Hood.  The Mt. Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act directs the Forest Service to move forward with a land exchange first approved by Congress in 2009.  Oregon Congressman Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer authored the bill.  The 2009 law authorizes a land exchange to allow development of 120 acres of federal land in Government Camp in exchange for 770 acres of non-federal land at Cooper Spur, but the exchange has yet to be completed.  Walden and Blumenauer’s bill expresses Congress’ intent that the Forest Service move quickly to complete the exchange, addresses disagreements over a conservation easement, and allows for a more transparent appraisal process.  Walden said he hopes the full Senate passes the bill quickly and moves it along to the President for his signature.