Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-426
Sponsor: Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD]
Introduced: 2003-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Animals
Canals
Easements
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to water resources development
Government liability
Government trust funds
Habitat conservation
Infrastructure
Irrigation
Land transfers
Law
Leases
Missouri River development
Pipelines
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public schools
Real estate appraisal
Reservoirs
South Dakota
Transportation and Public Works
Wildlife conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-02-14
text: Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2003 - Deauthorizes the Blunt Reservoir feature of the Oahe Irrigation Project authorized as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program.
Allows preferential leaseholders (original landowners or descendants, or operators of the land at the time of purchase) of parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal an option to purchase from the Commission of Schools and Public Lands of South Dakota the land they lease. Sets terms for such purchases. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all preferential lease parcels not purchased by the leaseholder to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Directs the Secretary to convey to the Department the nonpreferential leased parcels and unleased parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Requires the State of South Dakota to accept certain conditions of conveyance, including that it receives the land conveyed in "as is" condition.
Authorizes the Commission, with the Department's concurrence, to allow a person to exchange other land in South Dakota for a nonpreferential lease parcel or unleased parcel at Blunt Reservoir or Pierre Canal.
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the House on February 14, 2003. However, because action occurred on the measure, the summary has been expanded.)

Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Deauthorizes the Blunt Reservoir feature of the Oahe Irrigation Project authorized as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program.
Allows preferential leaseholders (original landowners or descendants, or operators of the land at the time of purchase) of parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal an option to purchase from the Commission of Schools and Public Lands of South Dakota the land they lease. Sets terms for such purchases. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all preferential lease parcels not purchased by the leaseholder to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Directs the Secretary to convey to the Department the nonpreferential leased parcels and unleased parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Requires the State of South Dakota to accept certain conditions of conveyance, including that: (1) it receives the land conveyed in "as is" condition; (2) it assumes responsibility for any liabilities accruing after the date of conveyance as a result of ownership, operation or maintenance of such land; (3) the Federal Government retains all oil, gas, and mineral rights; (4) the property continue to be used for wildlife conservation; and (5) title shall revert to the United States if the land is needed for national defense purposes.
Authorizes the Commission, with the Department's concurrence, to allow a person to exchange other land in South Dakota for a nonpreferential lease parcel or unleased parcel at Blunt Reservoir or Pierre Canal.
Permits the United States a perpetual easement for a water conveyance structure over, under, across, or through the Pierre Canal Feature.
Directs the Secretary to provide the State of South Dakota a full legal description of all preferential lease parcels and nonpreferential lease parcels that may be conveyed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the House on February 14, 2003. However, because action occurred on the measure, the summary has been expanded.)

Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Deauthorizes the Blunt Reservoir feature of the Oahe Irrigation Project authorized as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program.
Allows preferential leaseholders (original landowners or descendants, or operators of the land at the time of purchase) of parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal an option to purchase from the Commission of Schools and Public Lands of South Dakota the land they lease. Sets terms for such purchases. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all preferential lease parcels not purchased by the leaseholder to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Directs the Secretary to convey to the Department the nonpreferential leased parcels and unleased parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Requires the State of South Dakota to accept certain conditions of conveyance, including that: (1) it receives the land conveyed in "as is" condition; (2) it assumes responsibility for any liabilities accruing after the date of conveyance as a result of ownership, operation or maintenance of such land; (3) the Federal Government retains all oil, gas, and mineral rights; (4) the property continue to be used for wildlife conservation; and (5) title shall revert to the United States if the land is needed for national defense purposes.
Authorizes the Commission, with the Department's concurrence, to allow a person to exchange other land in South Dakota for a nonpreferential lease parcel or unleased parcel at Blunt Reservoir or Pierre Canal.
Permits the United States a perpetual easement for a water conveyance structure over, under, across, or through the Pierre Canal Feature.
Directs the Secretary to provide the State of South Dakota a full legal description of all preferential lease parcels and nonpreferential lease parcels that may be conveyed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4879, S4880-4881; text as passed Senate: CR S4880-4881)
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4879, S4880-4881; text as passed Senate: CR S4880-4881)
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 28.
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 108-16.
action_date: 2003-03-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 108-16.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2003-02-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2546-2547)
action_date: 2003-02-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2545-2546)
action_date: 2003-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate