Federal Land Management Act of 2017

To provide for the management by the Secretary of Agriculture of certain Federal land, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Land Management Act of 2017 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary. Sec. 3. Release of reversionary interest of United States in and to certain land in Old Town, Maine. Sec. 4. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest land adjustment. Sec. 5. Tennessee wilderness. Sec. 6. Additions to Rough Mountain and Rich Hole Wildernesses. Sec. 7. Kisatchie National Forest land conveyance. Sec. 8. Purchase of Natural Resources Conservation Service property, Riverside County, California. 2. Definition of Secretary In this Act, the term Secretary 3. Release of reversionary interest of United States in and to certain land in Old Town, Maine (a) In general Notwithstanding section 32(c) of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1011(c) (b) Land described The land referred to in subsection (a) is the land— (1) conveyed by the United States to the City of Old Town, Maine, under section 32(c) of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1011(c) (2) proposed for conveyance by the City of Old Town, Maine, for the purpose of economic development; and (3) described in the written request submitted by the City of Old Town, Maine, to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a). 4. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest land adjustment (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) certain National Forest System land in the State of Georgia consists of isolated tracts that are inefficient to manage or have lost their principal value for National Forest purposes; (2) the disposal of that land would be in the public interest; and (3) proceeds from the sale of land authorized by this section would be used best by the Forest Service to purchase land for National Forest purposes in the State of Georgia. (b) Land conveyance authority (1) In general The Secretary is authorized, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, to sell or exchange any or all rights, title, and interest of the United States in the National Forest System land described in paragraph (2). (2) Land authorized for disposal (A) In general The National Forest System land subject to sale or exchange under this section are 30 tracts of land totaling approximately 3,841 acres, which are generally depicted on 2 maps entitled Priority Land Adjustments, State of Georgia, U.S. Forest Service–Southern Region, Oconee and Chattahoochee National Forests, U.S. Congressional Districts–8, 9, 10 & 14 (B) Maps The maps described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Forest Supervisor, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, until such time as the land is sold or exchanged. (C) Modification of boundaries The Secretary may modify the boundaries of the land described in subparagraph (A) based on land management considerations. (3) Form of conveyance (A) Quitclaim deed The Secretary shall convey land sold under this section by quitclaim deed. (B) Reservations The Secretary may reserve any rights-of-way or other rights or interests in land sold or exchanged under this section that the Secretary considers necessary for management purposes or to protect the public interest. (4) Valuation (A) Market value The Secretary may not sell or exchange land under this section for less than market value, as determined by appraisal or through competitive bid. (B) Appraisal requirements Any appraisal shall be— (i) consistent with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions or the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; and (ii) subject to the approval of the Secretary. (5) Consideration (A) Cash Consideration for a sale of land or equalization of an exchange under this section shall be paid in cash. (B) Exchange Notwithstanding section 206(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1716(b) (6) Method of sale (A) Options The Secretary may sell land under paragraph (1) at public or private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, or otherwise, in accordance with such terms, conditions, and procedures as the Secretary determines are in the best interest of the United States. (B) Solicitations The Secretary may— (i) make public or private solicitations for the sale or exchange of land authorized by this section; and (ii) reject any offer that the Secretary determines is not adequate or not in the public interest. (7) Brokers The Secretary may— (A) use brokers or other third parties in the disposition of the land authorized by this section; and (B) from the proceeds of a sale, pay reasonable commissions or fees. (c) Treatment of proceeds (1) Deposit Subject to subsection (b)(7)(B), the Secretary shall deposit the proceeds of a sale or cash equalizations payments authorized by this section in the fund established under Public Law 90–171 Sisk Act 16 U.S.C. 484a (2) Availability Subject to paragraph (3), amounts deposited under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Secretary until expended, without further appropriation, for the acquisition of land for National Forest purposes in the State of Georgia. (3) Private property protection Nothing in this section authorizes the use of funds deposited under paragraph (1) to be used to acquire land without the written consent of the owner of the land. 5. Tennessee wilderness (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Map The term Map Proposed Wilderness Areas and Additions-Cherokee National Forest (2) State The term State (b) Additions to Cherokee National Forest (1) Designation of wilderness In accordance with the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 (A) Certain land comprising approximately 9,038 acres, as generally depicted as the Upper Bald River Wilderness Upper Bald River Wilderness (B) Certain land comprising approximately 348 acres, as generally depicted as the Big Frog Addition (C) Certain land comprising approximately 630 acres, as generally depicted as the Little Frog Mountain Addition NW (D) Certain land comprising approximately 336 acres, as generally depicted as the Little Frog Mountain Addition NE (E) Certain land comprising approximately 2,922 acres, as generally depicted as the Sampson Mountain Addition (F) Certain land comprising approximately 4,446 acres, as generally depicted as the Big Laurel Branch Addition (G) Certain land comprising approximately 1,836 acres, as generally depicted as the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Addition (2) Maps and legal descriptions (A) In general As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file maps and legal descriptions of the wilderness areas designated by paragraph (1) with the appropriate committees of Congress. (B) Public availability The maps and legal descriptions filed under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief of the Forest Service and the office of the Supervisor of the Cherokee National Forest. (C) Force of law The maps and legal descriptions filed under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct typographical errors in the maps and descriptions. (3) Administration (A) In general Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land designated as wilderness by paragraph (1) shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 (B) Fish and wildlife management In accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7) 6. Additions to Rough Mountain and Rich Hole Wildernesses (a) Rough Mountain Addition Section 1 of Public Law 100–326 16 U.S.C. 1132 (21) Rough Mountain Addition Certain land in the George Washington National Forest comprising approximately 1,000 acres, as generally depicted as the Rough Mountain Addition GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST – South half – Alternative I – Selected Alternative Management Prescriptions – Land and Resources Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement . (b) Rich Hole Addition (1) Potential wilderness designation In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 Rich Hole Addition GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST – South half – Alternative I – Selected Alternative Management Prescriptions – Land and Resources Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement Public Law 100–326 16 U.S.C. 1132 (2) Wilderness designation The potential wilderness area designated by paragraph (1) shall be designated as wilderness and incorporated in the Rich Hole Wilderness Area designated by section 1(2) of Public Law 100–326 16 U.S.C. 1132 (A) the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register notice that the activities permitted under paragraph (4) have been completed; or (B) the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Management Except as provided in paragraph (4), the Secretary shall manage the potential wilderness area designated by paragraph (1) in accordance with the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 (4) Water quality improvement activities (A) In general To enhance natural ecosystems within the potential wilderness area designated by paragraph (1) by implementing certain activities to improve water quality and aquatic passage, as set forth in the Forest Service document entitled Decision Notice for the Lower Cowpasture Restoration and Management Project (B) Requirement In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall use the minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to carry out that subparagraph with the least amount of adverse impact on wilderness character and resources. 7. Kisatchie National Forest land conveyance (a) Finding Congress finds that it is in the public interest to authorize the conveyance of certain Federal land in the Kisatchie National Forest in the State of Louisiana for market value consideration. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Collins camp properties The term Collins Camp Properties (2) State The term State (c) Authorization of conveyances, Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana (1) Authorization (A) In general Subject to valid existing rights and paragraph (2), the Secretary may convey the Federal land described in subparagraph (B) by quitclaim deed at public or private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, or other methods. (B) Description of land The Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A) consists of— (i) all Federal land within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, Louisiana; and (ii) a 2.16-acre parcel of Federal land located in the SW¼ of sec. 4, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, Louisiana, as depicted on a certificate of survey dated March 7, 2007, by Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436. (2) First right of purchase Subject to valid existing rights and subsection (e), during the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, on the provision of consideration by the Collins Camp Properties to the Secretary, the Secretary shall convey, by quitclaim deed, to Collins Camp Properties all right, title and interest of the United States in and to— (A) not more than 47.92 acres of Federal land comprising the Collins Campsites within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., in Winn Parish, Louisiana, as generally depicted on a certificate of survey dated February 28, 2007, by Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436; and (B) the parcel of Federal land described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii). (3) Terms and conditions The Secretary may— (A) configure the Federal land to be conveyed under this section— (i) to maximize the marketability of the conveyance; or (ii) to achieve management objectives; and (B) establish any terms and conditions for the conveyances under this section that the Secretary determines to be in the public interest. (4) Consideration Consideration for a conveyance of Federal land under this section shall be— (A) in the form of cash; and (B) in an amount equal to the market value of the Federal land being conveyed, as determined under paragraph (5). (5) Market value The market value of the Federal land conveyed under this section shall be determined— (A) in the case of Federal land conveyed under paragraph (2), by an appraisal that is— (i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and (ii) approved by the Secretary; or (B) if conveyed by a method other than the methods described in paragraph (2), by competitive sale. (6) Hazardous substances (A) In general In any conveyance of Federal land under this section, the Secretary shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, but shall otherwise not be required to remediate or abate the substances. (B) Effect Nothing in this subsection otherwise affects the application of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 9601 (d) Proceeds from the sale of land The Secretary shall deposit the proceeds of a conveyance of Federal land under subsection (c) in the fund established under Public Law 90–171 Sisk Act 16 U.S.C. 484a (e) Administration (1) Costs As a condition of a conveyance of Federal land to Collins Camp Properties under subsection (c), the Secretary shall require Collins Camp Properties to pay at closing— (A) reasonable appraisal costs; and (B) the cost of any administrative and environmental analyses required by law (including regulations). (2) Permits (A) In general An offer by Collins Camp Properties for the acquisition of the Federal land under subsection (c) shall be accompanied by a written statement from each holder of a Forest Service special use authorization with respect to the Federal land that specifies that the holder agrees to relinquish the special use authorization on the conveyance of the Federal land to Collins Camp Properties. (B) Special use authorizations If any holder of a special use authorization described in subparagraph (A) fails to provide a written authorization in accordance with that subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, as a condition of the conveyance, that Collins Camp Properties administer the special use authorization according to the terms of the special use authorization until the date on which the special use authorization expires. 8. Purchase of Natural Resources Conservation Service property, Riverside County, California (a) Findings Congress finds as follows: (1) Since 1935, the United States has owned a parcel of land in Riverside, California, consisting of approximately 8.75 acres, more specifically described in subsection (b)(1) (in this section referred to as the property (2) The property is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and has been variously used for research and plant materials purposes. (3) Since 1998, the property has been administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture. (4) Since 2002, the property has been co-managed under a cooperative agreement between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District, which is a legal subdivision of the State of California under section 9003 of the California Public Resources Code. (5) The Conservation District wishes to purchase the property and use it for conservation, environmental, and related educational purposes. (6) As provided in subsection (b), the purchase of the property by the Conservation District would promote the conservation education and related activities of the Conservation District and result in savings to the Federal Government. (b) Land purchase, Natural Resources Conservation Service property, Riverside County, California (1) Purchase authorized The Secretary shall sell and quitclaim to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District (in this section referred to as the Conservation District (2) Consideration As consideration for the purchase of the property under this subsection, the Conservation District shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the appraised value of the property. (3) Prohibition on reservation of interest The Secretary shall not reserve any future interest in the property to be conveyed under this subsection, except such interest as may be acceptable to the Conservation District. (4) Hazardous substances Notwithstanding section 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 9620(h) 42 U.S.C. 6901 (5) Cooperative authority (A) Leases, contracts, and cooperative agreements authorized In conjunction with, or in addition to, the purchase of the property by the Conservation District under this subsection, the Secretary may enter into leases, contracts and cooperative agreements with the Conservation District. (B) Sole source Notwithstanding sections 3105, 3301, and 3303 to 3305 of title 41, United States Code, or any other provision of law, the Secretary may lease real property from the Conservation District on a noncompetitive basis. (C) Non-exclusive authority The authority provided by this subsection is in addition to any other authority of the Secretary.

Summary: Federal Land Management Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), upon request of the city of Old Town, Maine, to convey to the city without consideration lands that: (1) were conveyed by the federal government to the city under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act by the deed dated June 5, 1941, and (2) are proposed for conveyance for the purpose of economic development. The bill authorizes the USDA to sell or exchange 30 tracts of National Forest System land in Georgia totaling approximately 3,841 acres. The bill designates specified federal lands in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee as wilderness and as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill requires specified lands in the George Washington National Forest (a part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky) to be: (1) incorporated in the Rough Mountain Wilderness, and (2) designated as a potential wilderness area for eventual incorporation in the Rich Hole Wilderness. The bill authorizes USDA to sell specified federal land in Winn Parish, Louisiana. USDA shall convey a portion of that land to Collins Camp Properties, Inc. The bill directs USDA to sell and quitclaim a parcel of real property, including improvements, located at 4500 Glenwood Drive in Riverside, California, consisting of approximately 8.75 acres and administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District.