Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-2907
Sponsor: Rep. Renzi, Rick [R-AZ-1]
Introduced: 2003-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Animals
Arizona
Compensation (Law)
Conservation easements
Easements
Emergency Management
Energy
Environmental Protection
Fire prevention
Forest management
Forest roads
Geothermal resources
Grazing
Habitat conservation
Hunting
Infrastructure
Land transfers
Law
Licenses
Logging
Mining leases
National forests
Outdoor recreation
Real estate development
Road construction
Sports and Recreation
Trails
Transportation and Public Works
Water Resources Development
Water conservation
Water rights
Water use
Wells
Wildlife conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: 
Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, and certain other land in Yavapai County, Arizona, to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership or the Northern Yavapai, L.L.C. (both referred to respectively as the "YLRP"), in exchange for land within the boundaries of the Prescott National Forest, Arizona.
 
Grants to the YLRP perpetual, unrestricted, and nonexclusive easements that run with and benefit land transferred to the YLRP. Provides for the establishment of conservation easements on certain of the land transferred to the YLRP to conserve water in the Verde Valley, Arizona, and to minimize adverse water impacts from future development of the parcels.
Reserves for the YLRP unrestricted easements and water rights for not more than three existing wells and related equipment on the land it is transferring to Federal control, with certain water rights from the wells to be reserved for the United States.
Prescribes that if any part of either territory being transferred is unacceptable to the entity receiving it due to the presence of hazardous materials or any other reason, such section shall be deleted from the exchange and an adjustment shall be made.
Requires the values of the land exchanged to be equal.
Revokes any public orders withdrawing any of the Federal land from appropriation or disposal as necessary for the implementation of this Act. Withdraws the Federal land from all forms of entry and appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, until the date of the exchange.
Prescribes that the land acquired by the United States shall become part of the Prescott National Forest and shall be managed to maintain its present character and natural values.
Directs the Secretary to convey certain land in Coconino County, Arizona, to the individual or entity that represents the majority of landowners with encroachments on the lot in exchange for the payment of a designated sum plus certain other costs.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: 
Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003 - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey by patent or quitclaim deed certain land in the Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, and certain other land in Yavapai County, Arizona, to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership or the Northern Yavapai, L.L.C. (both referred to respectively as the "YLRP"), in exchange for land within the boundaries of the Prescott National Forest, Arizona.
 
Grants to the YLRP perpetual and nonexclusive easements that run with and benefit land transferred to the YLRP. Provides for the establishment of conservation easements on certain of the land transferred to the YLRP to conserve water in the Verde Valley, Arizona, and to minimize adverse water impacts from future development of the parcels. 
Allows YLRP to subsequently convey all or part of specified parcels in Prescott National Forest to one or more successors-in-interest. Requires such a conveyance to include an agreement on the the amount of water for use on such conveyed parcel or part. 
Reserves for the YLRP unrestricted easements and water rights for not more than three existing wells and related equipment on the land it is transferring to Federal control, with certain water rights from each existing or replacement well to be reserved for the United States. 
Prescribes that if any part of either territory being transferred is unacceptable to the entity receiving it due to the presence of hazardous materials or certain other reasons, such section shall be deleted from the exchange and an adjustment shall be made. 
Requires the YLRP to convey to the cities of Flagstaff, Williams, and Camp Verde and to certain summer camps in Arizona parts or all of acquired parcels of Federal land located near such cities and summer camps. 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the values of the land exchanged to be equal. 
(Sec. 6) Revokes any public orders withdrawing any of the Federal land from appropriation or disposal as necessary for the implementation of this Act. Withdraws the Federal land from all forms of entry and appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, until the date of the exchange. Requires the United States to bear the costs or other responsibilities or requirements associated with land surveys, title searches, archeological and cultural surveys and salvage, removal of encumbrances, and curing title deficiencies necessary to bring the Federal land into a condition where it is acceptable for exchange. 
(Sec. 7) Prescribes that the land acquired by the United States shall become part of the Prescott National Forest and shall be managed to maintain its present character and natural values. Sets forth certain rules for such land pertaining to: (1) grazing; (2) roads; (3) water improvements; and (4) timber harvesting. Provides for reciprocal easements between the United States and YLRP for ingress, egress, and utilities across, over, and through certain routes in the exchanged lands. 
(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to convey to an individual or entity that represents the majority of landowners with encroachments on a specified lot by quitclaim deed a parcel of land that is located in Gila and Salt River Base and Meridian, Coconino County, Arizona. Requires the acquiring individual or entity to pay specified consideration. 
(Sec. 9) Requires compensation, under provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, to persons holding grazing permits for land transferred into private ownership under this Act. 
(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to convey to an individual or entity that represents the majority of landowners with a lease on the lot by quitclaim deed a parcel of land that is approximately 4.87 acres and is located in Gila and Salt River Base and Meridian. Requires the acquiring individual or entity to pay specified consideration.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR 11/19/2003 H11460-11464)
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR 11/19/2003 H11460-11464)
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2907.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR 11/19/2003 H11460-11466)
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Mr. Souder moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 222.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 108-379.
action_date: 2003-11-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 108-379.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-10-29
text: Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health Discharged.
action_date: 2003-10-21
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2003-07-27
text: Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
action_date: 2003-07-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1634-1635)
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: Introduced in House