I
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 873
Entitled the ‘‘Gallatin Range Consolidation and Protection Act of 1993’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 4, 1993
Mr. WILLIAMS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
Entitled the ‘‘Gallatin Range Consolidation and Protection
Act of 1993’’.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be referred to as the ‘‘Gallatin Range
Consolidation and Protection Act of 1993’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that:
(1) It has been the clear policy of the Federal
Government since 1925 to consolidate the checker-
board lands along the Gallatin Range north of Yel-
lowstone National Park.
HR 873 IH
(2) These lands north of Yellowstone possess
outstanding natural characteristics and wildlife habi-
tat which give them high value as lands added to the
National Forest System.
(3) Although these lands have remained pristine
up till now failure to consolidate at this time will in
the near future lead to fragmentation and develop-
ment.
(4) The Federal Government has already in-
vested a great deal in keeping the lands along the
Gallatin Range protected from excess development.
SEC. 3. PLUM CREEK LAND EXCHANGE—GALLATIN AREA.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, subject to the
provisions of section 4(b) and section 5(b) and, notwith-
standing any other law, acquire by exchange and cash
equalization in the amount of $3,400,000, certain lands
and interests in land of the Plum Creek Timber, L.P. (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘‘company’’) in and adja-
cent to the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness
Study Area, the Scapegoat Wilderness Area, and other
land in the Gallatin National Forest in accordance with
this section.
(b)(1) DESCRIPTION OF LANDS.—If the company of-
fers to the United States the fee title, including mineral
interests, to approximately 37,752 and 15⁄100 acres of land
HR 873 IH
owned by the company which is available for exchange to
the United States as depicted on a map entitled ‘‘Plum
Creek Timber and Forest Service Proposed Gallatin Land
Exchange’’, dated May 20, 1988, the Secretary shall ac-
cept a warranty deed to such land and, in exchange there-
for, and subject to valid existing rights, recommend that
the Secretary of the Interior convey, subject to valid exist-
ing rights, by patent the fee title to approximately 12,414
and 6⁄100 acres of National Forest System lands available
for exchange to the company as depicted on such map,
subject to—
(A) the reservation of ditches and canals re-
quired by the Act entitled ‘‘An Act making appro-
priations for sundry civil expenses of the Govern-
ment for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eight-
een hundred and ninety-one, and for other pur-
poses’’, approved August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 391; 43
U.S.C. 945);
(B) the reservation of rights under Federal Oil
and Gas Lease numbers 49739, 55610, 40389,
53670, 40215, 33385, 53736, and 38684; and
(C) such other terms, conditions, reservations
and exceptions as may be agreed upon by the Sec-
retary of Agriculture and the company.
HR 873 IH
(2) On termination or relinquishment of the leases
referred to in paragraph (1), all the rights and interests
in land granted therein shall immediately vest in the com-
pany, its successors and assigns, and the Secretary shall
give notice of that event by a document suitable for record-
ing in the county wherein the leased lands are situated.
(c) EASEMENTS.—At closing on the conveyances au-
thorized by this section—
(1) in consideration of the easements conveyed
by the company as provided in paragraph 2 of this
subsection, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, under
authority of the National Forest Roads and Trails
Act of October 13, 1964, or the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976, execute and deliver to
the company such easements and authorizations over
federally owned lands included in this exchange as
may be agreed to by the Secretary and the company
in the exchange agreement.
(2) In consideration of the easements conveyed
by the United States as provided in paragraph (1),
the company shall execute and deliver to the United
States such easements and authorizations across
company-owned lands included in this exchange as
may be agreed to by the Secretary and the company
in the exchange agreement.
HR 873 IH
(d) MAPS.—The maps referred to in subsection (b)
are subject to such minor corrections as may be agreed
upon by the Secretary and the company. The Secretary
shall notify the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the United States Senate and the Committee
on Interior and Insular Affairs to the United States House
of Representatives of any corrections made pursuant to
the subsection.
(e) TIMING OF TRANSACTION.—It is the intent of
Congress that the conveyances authorized by this section
be completed within ninety days after the date of enact-
ment of an Act making the appropriation authorized by
subsection (g).
(f) FOREST LANDS.—All lands conveyed to the Unit-
ed States pursuant to this section shall become national
forest system lands to be administered by the Secretary
in accordance with applicable law.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section the
sum $3,400,000, which amount the Secretary shall, when
appropriated, pay to the company to equalize the value
of the exchange of land authorized by this section.
(h) QUALITY OF TITLE.—Title to the properties ref-
erenced in this section to be offered to the United States
by Big Sky Lumber Company, its assignees or successors