Bill Summary
This bill would authorize the conveyance of a small parcel of land from the Coconino National Forest in Arizona to the Arizona Board of Regents, on behalf of the University of Arizona Experiment Station. The land exchange would involve the University of Arizona offering to convey non-Federal land to the United States in exchange for Federal land and interests in land. The Secretary of Agriculture would be responsible for carrying out the land exchange and ensuring that the values of the land are equal. Any discrepancies in value could be equalized through cash payments or adjustments in acreage. The non-Federal land acquired by the Secretary would be managed in accordance with existing laws and regulations for the National Forest System. The intent of Congress is for the land exchange to be completed within 3 years of the bill's enactment.
Possible Impacts
1. Impacts on local communities: The conveyance of federal land and interests in land to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) may have a significant impact on the surrounding communities. This legislation could potentially result in changes to land use and development in the area, affecting the economy, environment, and quality of life for local residents.
2. Financial implications for the ABOR: The ABOR would be responsible for the costs of surveys and administrative costs associated with the land exchange under this legislation. This could have a significant impact on the organization's budget and resources.
3. Environmental concerns: The conveyance of federal land and interests in land to the ABOR may also have environmental implications. The land exchange could potentially impact natural habitats and species, and the use of Forest Service Road 9201D may have negative consequences for the ecosystem. This could lead to opposition and environmental concerns from local and national environmental groups.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7099 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 534
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7099
[Report No. 116-650]
To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of Coconino National
Forest land in the State of Arizona.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 4, 2020
Mr. Grijalva (for himself and Mr. O'Halleran) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
December 15, 2020
Additional sponsor: Mr. Gallego
December 15, 2020
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 4,
2020]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of Coconino National
Forest land in the State of Arizona.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE, ARIZONA.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ABOR.--The term ``ABOR'' means the Arizona Board of
Regents, on behalf of the University of Arizona Experiment
Station.
(2) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land and interests in
land''means--
(A) the approximately 13.3 acres of land within the
Coconino National Forest, in Yavapai County, Arizona as
generally depicted on the map entitled ``Act to Convey
Certain NFS Land and non-Federal Land in Arizona Winter
Quarters'' and dated June 20, 2019; and
(B) an easement on Forest Service Road 9201D from
its junction with Forest Service Road 0618 (commonly
known as ``Beaver Creek'').
(3) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land''means
the approximately 7.5 acres of land generally depicted on the
map entitled ``Act to Convey Certain NFS Land and non-Federal
Land in Arizona Summer Quarters'' and dated June 20, 2019.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(5) State.--The term ``State''means the State of Arizona.
(b) Land Exchange.--
(1) Conveyance of land.--Subject to the provisions of this
Act, if the ABOR offers to convey to the United States all
right, title, and interest of the ABOR in and to the non-
Federal land, the Secretary shall, subject to valid existing
rights, convey to the ABOR all right, title, and interest of
the United States in and to the Federal land and interests in
land.
(2) Compliance with existing law.--Except as otherwise
provided in this Act, the Secretary shall carry out the land
exchange under this Act in accordance with section 206 of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1716).
(3) Conditions on acceptance.--
(A) Title.--As a condition of the land exchange
under this subsection, title to the non-Federal land to
be acquired by the Secretary under this subsection
shall be acceptable to the Secretary.
(B) Terms and conditions.--The conveyance of the
Federal land and interests in land and non-Federal land
shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the
Secretary may require.
(4) Surveys.--
(A) In general.--The exact acreage and legal
description of the Federal land and interests in land
and non-Federal land shall be determined by surveys
approved by the Secretary.
(B) Costs.--The Arizona Board of Regents shall be
responsible for the costs of any surveys carried out
under subparagraph (A) and any other administrative
costs of carrying out the land exchange.
(c) Valuation and Appraisals.--
(1) Valuation.--The value of the Federal land and interests
in land and the non-Federal land--
(A) shall be equal, as determined by appraisals
conducted in accordance with paragraph (2); or
(B) if the value is not equal, shall be equalized
in accordance with subsection (d)(2).
(2) Appraisals.--
(A) In general.--As soon as practicable after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
select an appraiser to conduct an appraisal of the
Federal land and interests in land and the non-Federal
land.
(B) Requirements.--An appraisal under subparagraph
(A) shall be conducted in accordance with nationally
recognized appraisal standards including--
(i) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for
Federal Land Acquisitions; and
(ii) the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice.
(d) Equal Value and Cash Equalization.--
(1) Equal value land exchange.--The land exchange under
this section shall be for equal value, or the values shall be
equalized by a cash payment as provided for under this
subsection or an adjustment in acreage. At the option of the
ABOR, any excess value of the non-Federal lands may be
considered a gift to the United States.
(2) Equalization.--If the value of the Federal land and the
non-Federal land to be conveyed in a land exchange under this
subsection is not equal, the value may be equalized by--
(A) making a cash equalization payment to the
Secretary or to the owner of the non-Federal land, as
appropriate, in accordance with section 206(b) of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1716(b)); or
(B) increasing or reducing the acreage of the
Federal land or the non-Federal land to be exchanged,
as appropriate.
(3) Deposit and use of funds received from abor.--Any cash
equalization payment received by the Secretary under this
subsection shall be deposited in the fund established under
Public Law 90-171 (16 U.S.C. 484a; commonly known as the ``Sisk
Act''). The funds so deposited shall remain available to the
Secretary, until expended, for the acquisition of lands,
waters, and interests in land for the Coconino National Forest.
(e) Timeline.--It is the intent of Congress that the land exchange
under subsection (b) shall be completed by not later than 3 years after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(f) Management and Status of Acquired Land.--Any non-Federal land
acquired by the Secretary under subsection (b) shall be managed by the
Secretary in accordance with--
(1) the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the ``Weeks
Law'') (36 Stat. 961, chapter 186; 16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.); and
(2) any other laws (including regulations) applicable to
the National Forest System.
Union Calendar No. 534
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7099
[Report No. 116-650]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of Coconino National
Forest land in the State of Arizona.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 15, 2020
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed