Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-3115
Sponsor: Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Mining
Minnesota

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), if the Poly Met Mining Corporation, Inc., offers to convey 6,690 acres of non-federal land within the Superior National Forest in St. Louis County and Lake County in Minnesota, to accept the offer and, in exchange, convey 6,650 acres of National Forest System land within the forest to Poly Met. 
 
The United States shall reserve the mineral rights on approximately 181 acres of such federal land parcel.
 
Poly Met shall waive any payment otherwise owed to it by the United States to equalize the values of the exchanged lands.
 
Upon conveyance, the non-federal lands shall become part of the forest and be managed in a manner consistent with the land and resource management plan applicable to adjacent federally owned lands in the forest.
 
Upon conveyance, the federal land shall: (1) become private land and be made available for any lawful use in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations that pertain to mining and other uses of land in private ownership; and (2) be withdrawn from appropriation and disposal under public land laws and under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

action_date: 2017-11-28
text: 

Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to convey specified National Forest System land within the Superior National Forest in St. Louis County, Minnesota, to Poly Met Mining Corporation, Inc., in exchange for specified nonfederal lands within the forest in St. Louis and Lake Counties, Minnesota. 
 
Poly Met shall pay or reimburse all land survey, appraisal, land title, deed preparation, and other costs incurred by USDA in completing such exchange. All of the funds paid or reimbursed to USDA must be deposited into accounts and used for the purposes specified in certain collection agreements pertaining to such exchange. 
 
The United States shall reserve the mineral rights on a specified portion of the federal land exchanged. 
 
As set forth in the Final Record of Decision of January 9, 2017, approving such exchange, Poly Met shall honor existing road and transmission line authorizations on the federal land exchanged. 
 
(Sec. 5) The appraised values of the federal and nonfederal lands that were determined and approved by USDA in November 2015 shall be the values used to complete the exchange and shall not be subject to reappraisal. Poly Met shall waive any payment otherwise owed to it by the United States to equalize the values of the exchanged lands. Such waiver shall be considered as a voluntary donation to the United States by Poly Met for all purposes of law.
 
(Sec. 7) Upon conveyance, the non-federal lands shall become part of the Superior National Forest and shall be managed in accordance with the Weeks Law and in a manner consistent with the land and resource management plan applicable to adjacent federally owned lands in the forest. 
 
Upon conveyance, the federal land shall: (1) become private land and shall be made available for any lawful use in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations that pertain to mining and other uses of land in private ownership; and (2) be withdrawn from appropriation and disposal under public land laws and under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-29
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 309 - 99 (Roll no. 639). (text: CR H9445-9446)
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 309 - 99 (Roll no. 639).(text: CR H9445-9446)
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9455)
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3115.
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9445-9448)
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Mr. Tipton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2017-09-05
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 206.
action_date: 2017-09-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-287.
action_date: 2017-09-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-287.
action_date: 2017-07-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 10.
action_date: 2017-07-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-07-14
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2017-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2017-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in House