[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2317 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2317
To provide for transfer of ownership of certain Federal lands in
northern Nevada, to authorize the disposal of certain Federal lands in
northern Nevada for economic development, to promote conservation in
northern Nevada, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2025
Mr. Amodei of Nevada introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee
on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for transfer of ownership of certain Federal lands in
northern Nevada, to authorize the disposal of certain Federal lands in
northern Nevada for economic development, to promote conservation in
northern Nevada, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Nevada
Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--DOUGLAS COUNTY
Sec. 101. Purpose.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
Subtitle A--Land Conveyances and Sales
Sec. 111. Conveyance to State of Nevada.
Sec. 112. Tahoe Rim Trail.
Sec. 113. Conveyance to Douglas County, Nevada.
Sec. 114. Sale of certain Federal land.
Sec. 115. Open space recreation area.
Subtitle B--Tribal Cultural Resources
Sec. 121. Transfer of land to be held in trust for Tribe.
Subtitle C--Convey Forest Service Land for Public Purposes
Sec. 131. Authority of Forest Service to convey to State or county for
public purposes.
Sec. 132. Special use authorizations for recreation and other purposes.
Subtitle D--Resolution of Burbank Canyons Wilderness Study Area
Sec. 141. Addition to National Wilderness Preservation System.
Sec. 142. Administration.
Sec. 143. Fish and wildlife management.
Sec. 144. Release of wilderness study area.
Sec. 145. Native American cultural and religious uses.
TITLE II--INCLINE VILLAGE FIRE PROTECTION
Sec. 201. Purpose.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Land conveyances for public purposes.
TITLE III--NORTHERN NEVADA FLOOD PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT
Sec. 301. Purpose.
Sec. 302. Definitions.
Sec. 303. Land conveyances for flood protection.
TITLE IV--CARSON CITY PUBLIC LANDS CORRECTION
Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Land conveyances.
Sec. 403. Carson City street connector conveyance.
Sec. 404. Amendment to reversionary interests.
Sec. 405. Disposal of Federal land.
Sec. 406. Transfer of land to the United States.
Sec. 407. Disposition of proceeds.
Sec. 408. Postponement; exclusion from sale.
TITLE V--PERSHING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Definitions.
Sec. 503. Findings.
Subtitle A--Land Sales and Exchanges
Sec. 511. Sale or exchange of eligible land.
Sec. 512. Sale of encumbered land.
Sec. 513. Disposition of proceeds.
Subtitle B--Wilderness Areas
Sec. 521. Additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Sec. 522. Administration.
Sec. 523. Wildlife management.
Sec. 524. Release of wilderness study areas.
Sec. 525. Native American cultural and religious uses.
TITLE VI--FEDERAL COMPLEX
Sec. 601. Federal complex.
TITLE VII--ELKO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 701. Short title.
Sec. 702. Definitions.
Sec. 703. Land conveyances to the City of Elko.
Sec. 704. Land conveyances to Elko County.
TITLE VIII--FERNLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 801. Short title.
Sec. 802. Land conveyances.
TITLE IX--CONVEYANCES TO THE CITY OF SPARKS
Sec. 901. Definitions.
Sec. 902. Conveyance of land for use as a public cemetery.
Sec. 903. Conveyance of land for use as regional public parks.
TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1001. Administration of State water rights.
Sec. 1002. Amendment to conveyance of Federal land in Storey County,
Nevada.
Sec. 1003. Maps and legal descriptions.
Sec. 1004. Minor errors.
TITLE XI--GREENLINK WEST PROJECT
Sec. 1101. Greenlink West Project.
TITLE XII--JEAN PRISON TRANSFER
Sec. 1201. Release of Federal reversionary land interests.
TITLE I--DOUGLAS COUNTY
SEC. 101. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to promote conservation, improve
public land, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County,
Nevada, and for other purposes.
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) County.--The term ``County'' means Douglas County,
Nevada.
(2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Douglas
County Economic Development and Conservation Act'' and dated
November 12, 2024.
(3) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning
given the term ``public lands'' in section 103 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).
(4) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
means--
(A) with respect to National Forest System land,
the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief
of the Forest Service); and
(B) with respect to land managed by the Bureau of
Land Management, including land held for the benefit of
the Tribe, the Secretary of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada.
(6) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Washoe Tribe of
Nevada and California.
(7) Wilderness.--The term ``Wilderness'' means the Burbank
Canyons Wilderness designated by section 141(a).
Subtitle A--Land Conveyances and Sales
SEC. 111. CONVEYANCE TO STATE OF NEVADA.
(a) Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary
concerned shall convey to the State without consideration all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the land described
in subsection (b).
(b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a) is
the approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land generally depicted as
``Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park'' on the Map.
(c) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under subsection (a),
all costs associated with such conveyances, including, but not limited
to costs of surveys, appraisal, environmental response and restoration,
and administrative costs including closing fees, shall be paid by the
State.
(d) Use of Land.--
(1) In general.--Any land conveyed to the State under
subsection (a) shall be used only for--
(A) the conservation of wildlife or natural
resources; or
(B) a public park.
(2) Facilities.--Any facility on the land conveyed under
subsection (a) shall be constructed and managed in a manner
consistent with the uses described in paragraph (1).
(e) Environmental Response and Restoration.--For purposes of the
conveyance under subsection (1), the Secretary of Agriculture--
(1) shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants under section 120(h) of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h));
(2) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
those hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants;
(3) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
the presence of solid and hazardous waste and materials which
may be required by applicable Federal, State, and local
environmental laws and regulations; and
(4) shall not otherwise be required to remove any
improvements from the land conveyed.
(f) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the land conveyed
under subsection (a), access easements for roads and trails shall be
reserved in the deed at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
(g) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the land to
be conveyed shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the
Secretary of Agriculture.
(h) Minor Errors.--The Secretary in consultation with the State of
Nevada may make minor boundary adjustments to the parcels of Federal
land to be conveyed under subsection (a) and correct any minor errors
in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description.
(i) Reversion.--If any portion of the land conveyed under
subsection (a) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with the uses
described in subsection (d), the land shall, at the discretion of the
Secretary concerned, revert to the United States.
(j) Additional Terms and Conditions.--With respect to the
conveyance under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture may
require such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United
States.
SEC. 112. TAHOE RIM TRAIL.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with
the County and other interested parties, shall develop and implement a
cooperative management agreement for the land described in subsection
(b)--
(1) to improve the quality of recreation access by
providing additional amenities as agreed on by the Secretary of
Agriculture and the County; and
(2) to conserve natural resources.
(b) Description of Land.--The land referred to in subsection (a)
consists of the approximately 13 acres of land generally depicted as
``Tahoe Rim Trail North Parcel'' on the Map.
SEC. 113. CONVEYANCE TO DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA.
(a) Definition of Federal Land.--In this section, the term
``Federal land'' means the approximately 7,777 acres of Federal land
located in the County that is identified as ``Douglas County Land
Conveyances'' on the Map.
(b) Authorization of Conveyance.--Subject to valid existing rights
and notwithstanding the land use planning requirements of section 202
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712),
upon receipt of a request from the County for the conveyance of the
Federal land, the Secretary concerned shall convey to the County,
without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United
States in and to the Federal land.
(c) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance authorized under
subsection (b), including, but not limited to costs of surveys,
appraisal, environmental response and restoration, and administrative
costs including closing shall be paid by the County.
(d) Use of Federal Land.--
(1) In general.--The Federal land conveyed under subsection
(b)--
(A) may be used by the County for flood control,
recreation, or any other public purpose consistent with
the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the
``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869
et seq.); and
(B) shall not be disposed of by the County.
(2) Reversion.--If the Federal land conveyed under
subsection (b) is used in a manner inconsistent with paragraph
(1), the Federal land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary
concerned, revert to the United States.
(e) Environmental Response and Restoration.--For purposes of the
conveyance under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture--
(1) shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants under section 120(h) of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h));
(2) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
those hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants;
(3) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
the presence of solid and hazardous waste and materials which
may be required by applicable Federal, State, and local
environmental laws and regulations; and
(4) shall not otherwise be required to remove any
improvements from the land conveyed.
(f) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the land conveyed
under subsection (b), access easements for roads and trails shall be
reserved in the deed at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
(g) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the land to
be conveyed shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the
Secretary of Agriculture.
(h) Minor Errors.--The Secretary in consultation with the Douglas
County may, make minor boundary adjustments to the parcels of Federal
land to be conveyed under subsection (b) and correct any minor errors
in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description.
(i) Acquisition of Federal Lands.--
(1) Request.--The County may submit to the Secretary
concerned a request to acquire the land conveyed under this
section as long as the uses are consistent with subsection
(d)(1).
(2) Appraisal.--
(A) In general.--Upon receipt of a request under
paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall complete
an appraisal of the Federal land requested by the
County.
(B) Requirement.--The appraisal under subparagraph
(A) shall be completed in accordance with the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701
et seq.) and--
(i) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for
Federal Land Acquisitions; and
(ii) the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice.
(3) Conveyance required.--
(A) In general.--If, by the date that is 1 year
after the date of completion of the appraisal under
paragraph (2), the County submits to the Secretary
concerned an offer to acquire the land without a
reversionary interest requested under paragraph (1),
the Secretary concerned, shall convey to the County
that land with consideration.
(B) Consideration.--As consideration for the land
conveyed under subparagraph (A), the County shall pay
to the Secretary concerned an amount equal to the
appraised value of the land, as determined under
paragraph (2).
(C) Costs of conveyance.--Any costs relating to the
conveyance under subparagraph (A), including any costs
for surveys and other administrative costs, shall be
paid by the County.
(4) Disposition of proceeds.--Any amounts collected under
this subsection shall be disposed of in accordance with section
114(n) of this title.
(j) Revocation of Orders.--Any public land order that withdraws any
of the land described in subsection (a) from appropriation or disposal
under a public land law shall be revoked to the extent necessary to
permit disposal of that land.
SEC. 114. SALE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 202 and 203 of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712, 1713),
the Secretary concerned shall, in accordance with the other provisions
of that Act and any other applicable law, and subject to valid existing
rights, conduct one or more sales of the Federal land including mineral
rights described in subsection (b) to qualified bidders.
(b) Description of Land.--The Federal land referred to in
subsection (a) consists of--
(1) the approximately 31.5 acres of public land generally
depicted as ``Lands for Disposal'' on the Map; and
(2) not more than 10,000 acres of land in the County that--
(A) is not segregated or withdrawn on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act, unless the land is
withdrawn in accordance with subsection (g); and
(B) is identified for disposal by the Secretary
concerned through--
(i) the Carson City Consolidated Resource
Management Plan; or
(ii) any subsequent amendment to the
management plan that is undertaken with full
public involvement.
(c) Joint Selection Required.--The Secretary concerned and the unit
of local government in whose jurisdiction lands referred to in
subsection (b)(2) are located shall jointly select which parcels of the
Federal land described in subsection (b)(2) to offer for sale under
subsection (a).
(d) Compliance With Local Planning and Zoning Laws.--Before
carrying out a sale of Federal land under subsection (a), the County
shall submit to the Secretary concerned a certification that qualified
bidders have agreed to comply with--
(1) County zoning ordinances; and
(2) any master plan for the area approved by the County.
(e) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the land to
be conveyed shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the
Secretary concerned.
(f) Minor Errors.--The Secretary in consultation with the County
may, make minor boundary adjustments to the parcels of Federal land to
be conveyed under subsection (b) and correct any minor errors in the
map, acreage estimate, or legal description.
(g) Easements.--As a condition of conveyance of the land conveyed
under subsection (b), access easements for roads and trails shall be
reserved in the deed at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
(h) Environmental Response and Restoration.--For purposes of the
conveyance under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned--
(1) shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants under section 120(h) of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h));
(2) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
those hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants;
(3) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate
the presence of solid and hazardous waste and materials which
may be required by applicable Federal, State, and local
environmental laws and regulations; and
(4) shall not otherwise be required to remove any
improvements from the land conveyed.
(i) Additional Terms and Conditions.--With respect to th