Results for

Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2020 This bill increases royalty rates, rental rates, and minimum bidding standards for onshore oil and gas leasing on public lands.

America's Public Land Act of 2019 This bill reaffirms that it is U.S. policy * to retain public land in federal ownership unless its disposal has been authorized by an Act of Congress; * to retain management authority over public land, except where a nonfederal individual or entity is authorized to exercise management authority pursuant to an Act of Congress or another applicable law; and * that retention of public land and the management authority over it is in the public interest. Neither the Department of the Interior nor of Agriculture shall approve or permit the conveyance of public land or the granting of management authority over such land to nonfederal individuals or entities except as authorized by an Act of Congress.

America's Public Land Act of 2019 This bill reaffirms that it is U.S. policy * to retain public land in federal ownership unless its disposal has been authorized by an Act of Congress; * to retain management authority over public land, except where a nonfederal individual or entity is authorized to exercise management authority pursuant to an Act of Congress or another applicable law; and * that retention of public land and the management authority over it is in the public interest. Neither the Department of the Interior nor of Agriculture shall approve or permit the conveyance of public land or the granting of management authority over such land to nonfederal individuals or entities except as authorized by an Act of Congress.

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 This bill sets forth provisions regarding development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy on public lands. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish priority areas on covered land (i.e., public land administered by Interior and not excluded under law from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy) for geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects. Other areas shall also be considered for the development of renewable energy projects under this bill, consistent with the principles of multiple use. Interior shall establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on covered land. Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall seek to issue permits that in total authorize the production of at least 25 gigawatts of electricity from geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects by the end of 2025. The bill provides for the disposition of revenues from the development of wind or solar energy on covered land. The bill establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to make funds available to federal, state, and tribal agencies for distribution in regions in which renewable energy projects are located on federal land for (1) restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and corridors for affected species and water resources in areas affected by geothermal, solar, or wind energy development; and (2) preserving and improving recreational access to federal land and water in an affected region.

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 This bill sets forth provisions regarding development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy on public lands. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish priority areas on covered land (i.e., public land administered by Interior and not excluded under law from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy) for geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects. Other areas shall also be considered for the development of renewable energy projects under this bill, consistent with the principles of multiple use. Interior shall establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on covered land. Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall seek to issue permits that in total authorize the production of at least 25 gigawatts of electricity from geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects by the end of 2025. The bill provides for the disposition of revenues from the development of wind or solar energy on covered land. The bill establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to make funds available to federal, state, and tribal agencies for distribution in regions in which renewable energy projects are located on federal land for (1) restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and corridors for affected species and water resources in areas affected by geothermal, solar, or wind energy development; and (2) preserving and improving recreational access to federal land and water in an affected region.

Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act or the PUBLIC Lands Act This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in California. The bill establishes * the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area, * the California Public Lands Remediation Partnership, * the Trinity Lake and Del Norte County visitor centers, * the Horse Mountain Special Management Area, * the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail, * the Sanhedrin Conservation Management Area, and * the Condor National Scenic Trail. The bill designates * specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, * the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness, * specified federal lands as potential wilderness areas, * specified segments of certain rivers and creeks and of a specified river estuary as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, * the Machesna Mountain and the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Areas, * the Condor Ridge and Black Mountain Scenic Areas, and * the San Gabriel National Recreation Area. Also, the bill * authorizes the utilization of certain forest residues for research and development of biobased products that result in net carbon sequestration, * authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks, * requires specified recreational studies and partnerships, and * expands the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Carson City Public Land Correction Act This bill provides for the conveyance of federal land in Carson City, Nevada. The Department of the Interior must convey approximately 258 acres of identified federal land to Carson City. The Department of Agriculture shall convey to Carson City, without consideration, a parcel of approximately 0.45 acres of identified Forest Service land for the expansion of a roadway in the city. Interior shall dispose of approximately 28 acres of federal land identified as the Prison Hills Property. On the disposal of such land, Carson City shall retain (1) a public utility easement, concurrent with Koontz Lane and Conti Drive in the city, that provides waterlines and access to the water tank immediately east of such parcels of federal land; and (2) an existing drainage easement for a future detention basin. If Carson City offers to convey to Interior the approximately 21 acres of land identified as Bennett Ave Properties and Pinion Hills Dr Property, Interior shall accept the offer and then dispose of the land conveyed to it. Carson City may enter into an agreement to sell, lease, or otherwise convey all or a portion of the approximately 75 acres of identified city land in which the Bureau of Land Management has a reversionary interest to third parties for public purposes. The bill provides for the disposition of the proceeds of the land sales conducted pursuant to this bill.

Public Lands Leadership Act of 2020 This bill prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ) from taking a certain position in the case ofBullock v. United States Bureau of Land Management. Specifically, DOJ may not argue that an individual exercising the authority of the head of an agency, regardless of the individual's title and the individual serving without congressional consent for over a year, does not violate the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. (That Act generally sets out the means by which an individual may temporarily serve in an executive agency position that requires the advice and consent of the Senate, including the categories of qualifying individuals and the duration of such service.)

Active Transportation for Public Lands Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to set aside at least 5% of authorized funds for federal and tribal transportation facilities to carry out certain active transportation projects under the federal lands transportation program and federal lands access program.

American Public Lands and Waters Climate Solution Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from public lands. The bill increases royalties on fossil fuels produced from public lands and creates annual, per-acre fees for federal oil and gas leases. The bill prohibits Interior from holding new lease sales for coal, oil, or gas for one year and until Interior (1) certifies that additional fossil fuel leasing on public lands is not inconsistent with achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from public lands by 2040, and (2) releases a Public Lands Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy. Interior and the Forest Service shall reduce net emissions associated with the extraction and end-use combustion of fossil fuels produced from public lands to meet specified targets. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) must determine if the emission reduction targets have been met. If net emissions from public lands have exceeded the targets, Interior must not approve new fossil fuel permits and not hold new fossil fuel lease sales until the USGS has certified and issued a notice that net emissions are below the target level. Interior shall make available on a public website (1) information regarding fossil fuel operations, including the aggregate amount of each fossil fuel produced on federal leases; and (2) information that describes the amount and sources of renewable energy produced from public lands. The bill sets forth how revenue raised by the bill is to be distributed.

Land and National Park Deferred Maintenance Act or the LAND Act This bill makes permanent the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). From the amounts deposited into the LWCF, $450 million shall be available in each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of the LWCF. Of the total amount available through appropriations or deposited into the fund under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, at least 40% shall be for federal purposes, and at least 40% shall be for financial assistance to states. The bill prohibits the use of any funds to states for acquisition of lands or waters by eminent domain. At least 3% of appropriated or expended LWCF funds must be available for projects that secure public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes. The bill establishes a National Park Service and Related Agencies Maintenance and Revitalization Conservation Fund for the deposit through FY2029 of $450 million from mineral revenues that are not otherwise credited, covered, or deposited under federal law. Of amounts made available from this fund, the Department of the Interior shall use specified amounts for priority deferred maintenance needs that support critical infrastructure and visitor services.

Public Lands Telecommunications Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to establish separate special accounts for the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation (the federal land management agencies) for the deposit of rental fees received by such agencies for communications use authorizations on federal lands that are granted, issued, or executed by them. A "communication use authorization" is defined as a right-of-way, permit, or lease granted, issued, or executed by a federal land management agency for the primary purpose of authorizing the occupancy and use of federal lands for communications use. The rental fees received by each federal land management agency shall * be deposited in its special account, and * remain available for expenditure for agency activities related to communications sites (those areas of federal lands designated for telecommunications uses). The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture may enter into cooperative agreements to carry out activities related to communications sites.

Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act This bill establishes the National Park Service and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund into which, through FY2024, there shall be deposited an amount equal to 50% of all energy development revenues due and payable to the federal government from oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy development on federal lands and waters that would otherwise be credited, covered, or deposited as miscellaneous receipts under federal law. Deposited amounts must not exceed $1.3 billion for any such fiscal year. From such amounts * 80% shall be allocated to the National Park Service for priority deferred maintenance projects, ensuring parity between transportation and nontransportation projects; * 10% shall be allocated for the national wildlife refuge system maintenance backlog; * 5% shall be allocated for addressing the public access and recreation backlog on public lands; and * 5% shall be allocated for addressing the Bureau of Indian Education school construction and deferred maintenance backlogs. The Department of the Interior must take into consideration the projected lifespan of any projects under this bill when prioritizing which of those projects to fund. No more than 10% of amounts in the fund may be used for administrative costs. None of the amounts in the fund may be used for the acquisition of land or for supplanting discretionary funding for annually recurring facility operations, maintenance, and construction needs. Interior must submit to Congress, with the President's annual budget submission, a list of projects receiving allocations from the fund and a description of each such project. Interior, and other specified agencies, may accept cash or in-kind donations that advance efforts to reduce maintenance backlogs and encourage public-private partnerships.

This bill permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The greater of 1.5% of the annual authorized funding amount or $10 million shall be used for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes.

Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to jointly develop and adopt interagency standards to ensure compatibility and interoperability among federal databases for the collection and dissemination of outdoor recreation data related to federal lands. Interior, the Forest Service, and the Corps of Engineers must digitize and publish geographic information system mapping data that includes * federal interests, including easements and rights-of-way, in private land; * status information as to whether roads and trails are open or closed; * the dates on which roads and trails are seasonally opened and closed; * the types of vehicles that are allowed on each segment of roads and trails; * the boundaries of areas where hunting or recreational shooting is regulated or closed; and * the boundaries of any portion of a body of water that is closed to entry, is closed to watercraft, or has horsepower limitations for watercraft.

Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to jointly develop and adopt interagency standards to ensure compatibility and interoperability among federal databases for the collection and dissemination of outdoor recreation data related to federal lands. Interior, the Forest Service, and the Corps of Engineers must digitize and publish geographic information system mapping data that includes * federal interests, including easements and rights-of-way, in private land; * status information as to whether roads and trails are open or closed; * the dates on which roads and trails are seasonally opened and closed; * the types of vehicles that are allowed on each segment of roads and trails; * the boundaries of areas where hunting or recreational shooting is regulated or closed; and * the boundaries of any portion of a body of water that is closed to entry, is closed to watercraft, or has horsepower limitations for watercraft.

Nevada Lands Bill Technical Corrections Act of 2019 This bill modifies provisions concerning lands in Nevada. Specifically, the bill: * repeals the expedited program for the examination of unpatented mining claims within the mining townsites in Virginia City in Storey County;  * requires implementation of a multispecies habitat conservation plan in Lincoln County; * provides for the implementation of certain rangeland and woodland restoration projects, particularly for pinyon-juniper dominated landscapes, in Lincoln County; * requires cooperative agreements for certain law enforcement and planning-related activities in Lincoln County; * provides for the use of certain land sale proceeds in Lincoln and White Pine Counties; * requires a land conveyance to Lincoln County to provide a location for the establishment of a centralized landfill and a designated area and authorized facilities to discourage unauthorized dumping and trash disposal on environmentally sensitive public land; and * adjusts the boundaries of the Mt. Moriah Wilderness and Arc Dome Wilderness. The bill affirms and validates a certain patent for the benefit of desert tortoise and other species and their habitats in Clark County. The Bureau of Land Management may issue corrective patents for specified land in Lincoln and Clark Counties.

This bill authorizes the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation to use, or enter into a lease or agreement with another party to use for public outdoor recreation, up to 40 acres of the land in Nebraska City, Nebraska, that was conveyed for use as an historic site and an interpretive center for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail under conditions that * the land shall continue to be maintained in a manner compatible with the use of the conveyed land as an historic site and interpretive center, * the nature trail around the perimeter of the land shall remain in place and may be enhanced with educational signage about the flora and fauna that are native to the land and the planting of native flora, and * revenue from any use of the land for public outdoor recreation shall be used to offset maintenance and operating costs of the interpretive center.

Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 700 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The land is made part of the Pala Indian Reservation. The bill generally prohibits gaming on any of the land taken into trust.

Restoring Access to Public Lands Act This bill releases specified acreage of the Yolla Bolly, Timbered Crater, Lava, Pit River Canyon, Tule Mountain, South Warner Contiguous, Bitterbrush, Buffalo Hills, Twin Peaks, Five Springs, Dry Valley Rim, Skedaddle, and Tunnison Mountain wilderness study areas in California from further review for designation as wilderness.

Landing Pass Extension Act of 2020 This bill allows a qualified alien crew member of a vessel to obtain a permit to land temporarily in the United States for up to 180 days, where currently such permits generally do not allow for stays exceeding 29 days. Specifically, an immigration officer may grant a crew member a 180-day landing permit if the officer is satisfied that the crew member (1) intends to depart within the prescribed period on a vessel other than the vessel the crew member arrived on, and (2) will perform ship-to-ship cargo transfer operations to or from a vessel engaged in foreign trade.

Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2019This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), if the PolyMet Mining Corporation, Inc., offers to convey 6,690 acres of non-federal land within the Superior National Forest in St. Louis County and Lake County in Minnesota, to accept the offer and, in exchange, convey 6,650 acres of National Forest System land within the forest to PolyMet. The United States shall reserve the mineral rights on 181 acres of such federal land parcel. PolyMet shall waive any payment otherwise owed to it by the United States to equalize the values of the exchanged lands. Upon conveyance, the non-federal lands shall become part of the forest and be managed in a manner consistent with the land and resource management plan applicable to adjacent federally owned lands in the forest. Upon conveyance, the federal land shall: (1) become private land and be made available for any lawful use in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations that pertain to mining and other uses of land in private ownership; and (2) be withdrawn from appropriation and disposal under public land laws and under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of the Interior, upon request by Bullhead City, Arizona, to convey to to the city 345.2 acres of specified federal land in exchange for 1,100 acres of city-owned land in the Black Mountain Range. The lands acquired by Interior shall be, upon acquisition, automatically and permanently withdrawn from appropriation and disposal under the public land laws and specified laws regarding geothermal resources.  

Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of the Interior, upon request by Bullhead City, Arizona, to convey to to the city 345.2 acres of specified federal land in exchange for 1,100 acres of city-owned land in the Black Mountain Range. The lands acquired by Interior shall be, upon acquisition, automatically and permanently withdrawn from appropriation and disposal under the public land laws and specified laws regarding geothermal resources.

This Land Is Our Land Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from constructing, or obligating or expending any funds for the construction of, any new border barriers, including walls or fences, on federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) within 100 miles of the international land borders of the United States. The bill prohibits the President from obligating or expending funds for the construction of any new border barrier, including walls or fences along the border between the United States and Mexico, pursuant to a declaration of a national emergency. The bill declares that any authorization to exercise, in the name of the United States, the right of eminent domain, shall have no force or effect, to the extent that the purpose is the construction of any new border barriers, including walls or fences, on federal lands under the jurisdiction of Interior or USDA within 100 miles of the international land borders of the United States.