City of Yuma Improvement Act
PL 109-454 (S.1529), enacted 12/22/2006

120 STAT. 3369
PUBLIC LAW 109–454—DEC. 22, 2006
Public Law 109–454
109th Congress
An Act
To provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in the city of Yuma, Arizona.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘City of Yuma Improvement
Act’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) CITY.—The term ‘‘City’’ means the city of Yuma,
Arizona.
(2) FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘‘Federal land’’ means the
Bureau of Reclamation land depicted on the map and more
particularly described as—
(A) parcels 2 and 3 of tract 1;
(B) a portion of parcel 110–73–019;
(C) the old Arizona Department of Transportation
weigh station;
(D) portions of blocks 52, 53, 54, and 55;
(E) the future drying bed location; and
(F) the future Arizona Welcome Center.
(3) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map entitled ‘‘City
of Yuma Proposed Property Ownership’’ and dated July 25,
2005.
(4) NON-FEDERAL
LAND.—The term ‘‘non-Federal land’’
means the non-Federal land depicted on the map and generally
known as the ‘‘Railroad Parcels’’.
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF FEDERAL LAND AND NON-FEDERAL LAND.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, easements,
and rights-of-way, and in accordance with this Act, the Secretary
shall convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in
and to the Federal land to the City in exchange for the non-
Federal land.
(b) TITLE TO NON-FEDERAL LAND.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—On receipt of a deed conveying to the
United States fee simple title to the non-Federal land that
meets the requirements under paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall record a deed from the United States that conveys to
the City fee simple title to the Federal land.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Title to the non-Federal land shall—
City of Yuma
Improvement
Act.
Dec. 22, 2006
[S. 1529]
VerDate 14-DEC-2004
12:05 Jul 13, 2007
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 00172
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
E:\PUBLAW\PUBL003.109
APPS06
PsN: PUBL003
120 STAT. 3370
PUBLIC LAW 109–454—DEC. 22, 2006
(A) conform with the regulations and title approval
standards of the Attorney General that are applicable to
Federal land acquisitions; and
(B) include all valid existing rights, easements, and
rights-of-way.
(c) ADMINISTRATION OF ACQUIRED LAND.—The Secretary, acting
through the Commissioner of Reclamation, shall administer the
non-Federal land acquired by the Secretary.
(d) RELEASE FROM LIABILITY.—Effective on the date of convey-
ance to the City of the parcel of Federal land under subsection
(a), the United States shall not be liable for damages arising out
of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to the Federal land
and facilities conveyed, but shall continue to be liable for damages
caused by acts of negligence committed by the United States or
by any employee or agent of the United States before the date
of conveyance, consistent with chapter 171 of title 28, United States
Code.
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—All administrative costs relating
to the conveyance of the Federal land and non-Federal land under
subsection (a) shall be paid by the City to the United States.
(f) VALUATION, APPRAISALS, AND EQUALIZATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The value of the Federal and the non-
Federal land—
(A) shall be equal, as determined by appraisals con-
ducted in accordance with paragraph (2); or
(B) if not equal, shall be equalized in accordance with
paragraph (3).
(2) APPRAISALS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal land and non-Federal
land shall be appraised by an independent appraiser
selected by the Secretary.
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—An appraisal conducted under
subparagraph (A) shall be conducted in accordance with—
(i) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal
Land Acquisition; and
(ii) 
the 
Uniform 
Standards 
of 
Professional
Appraisal Practice.
(C) EQUALIZATION OF VALUES.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—If the value of the Federal land
and the non-Federal land is not equal, the value may
be equalized by—
(I) the Secretary making a cash equalization
payment to the City;
(II) the City making a cash equalization pay-
ment to the Secretary; or
(III) reducing the acreage of the Federal land
or non-Federal land, as appropriate.
(ii) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS.—Any cash equali-
zation payments received by the Secretary under clause
(i)(II) shall be deposited in the general fund of the
Treasury.
SEC. 4. CONVEYANCE OF UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
LAND TO THE CITY OF YUMA.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary
shall convey to the City by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to the parcel of United States
Effective date.
VerDate 14-DEC-2004
12:05 Jul 13, 2007
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 00173
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
E:\PUBLAW\PUBL003.109
APPS06
PsN: PUBL003
120 STAT. 3371
PUBLIC LAW 109–454—DEC. 22, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1529:
SENATE REPORTS: No. 109–300 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Dec. 7, considered and passed Senate.
Dec. 8, considered and passed House.
Fish and Wildlife Service land located at 356 West First Street,
Yuma, Arizona.
(b) CONSIDERATION.—In exchange for the conveyance of land
under subsection (a), the City shall pay to the Secretary consider-
ation in an amount that reflects the fair market value of the
land conveyed to the City under that subsection, as determined
by an appraisal prepared in accordance with—
(1) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land
Acquisitions; and
(2) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Prac-
tice.
(c) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Any administrative costs relating
to the conveyance of land under subsection (a) shall be paid by
the City to the United States.
(d) DISPOSITION AND USE OF PROCEEDS.—Amounts paid to the
Secretary under subsection (b) shall be available to the Secretary,
without further appropriation and until expended, to pay—
(1) the administrative costs of the conveyance under sub-
section (a); and
(2) the costs of constructing the Kofa National Wildlife
Refuge headquarters and visitor center in Yuma, Arizona.
Approved December 22, 2006.
VerDate 14-DEC-2004
12:05 Jul 13, 2007
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 00174
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
E:\PUBLAW\PUBL003.109
APPS06
PsN: PUBL003