Education Land Grant Act
PL 106-577 (S.2749), enacted 12/28/2000

114 STAT. 3068 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
Public Law 106-577 
106th Congress 
An Act 
To establish the Galifomia Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada, to facilitate 
Dec. 28, 2000 
the interpretation of the history of development and use of trails in the settling 
[S. 2749] 
of the western portion of the United States, and for other piuposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
California Trail 
TITLE I—CALIFORNIA TRAIL 
leuSc?JI/'*- 
INTERPRETIVE CENTER 
note. 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "California Trail Interpretive 
Act". 
SEC 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the nineteenth-century westward movement in the 
United States over the Cahfornia National Historic Trail, which 
occurred from 1840 until the completion of the transcontinental 
railroad in 1869, was an important cultural and historical 
event in— 
(A) the development of the western land of the United 
States; and 
(B) the prevention of colonization of the west coast 
by Russia and the British Empire; 
(2) the movement over the California Trail was completed 
by over 300,000 settlers, many of whom left records or stories 
of their journeys; and 
(3) additional recognition and interpretation of the move-
ment over the California Trail is appropriate in light of— 
(A) the national scope of nineteenth-century westward 
movement in the United States; and 
(B) the strong interest expressed by people of the 
United States in understanding their history and heritage. 
(b) PURPOSES.—^The purposes of this title are— 
(1) to recognize the California Trail, including the Hastings 
Cutoff and the trail of the ill-fated Donner-Reed Party, for 
its national, historical, and cultural significance; £md 
(2) to provide the public with an interpretive facility 
devoted to the vital role of trails in the West in the development 
of the United States. 
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3069 
(1) CALIFORNIA TRAIL.—^The term "California Trail" means 
the California National Historic Trail, established under section 
5(a)(18) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
1244(a)(18)). 
(2) CENTER.—^The term "Center" means the California Trail 
Interpretive Center established under section 104(a). 
(3) SECRETARY.—^The term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau 
of Land Management. 
(4) STATE.—^The term "State" means the State of Nevada. 
SEC. 104. CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In furtherance of the purposes of section 
7(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1246(c)), 
the Secretary may establish an interpretation center to be 
known as the "California Trail Interpretive Center", near the 
city of Elko, Nevada. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The Center shall be established for the pur-
pose of interpreting the history of development and use of 
the California Trail in the settling of the West. 
(b) MASTER PLAN STUDY.—^To carry out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall— 
(1) consider the findings of the master plan study for the 
Cgdifomia Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada, as author-
ized by page 15 of Senate Report 106-99; and 
(2) initiate a plan for the development of the Center that 
includes— 
(A) a detailed description of the design of the Center; 
(B) a description of the site on which the Center is 
to be located; 
(C) a description of the method and estimated cost 
of acquisition of the site on which the Center is to be 
located; 
(D) the estimated cost of construction of the Center; 
(E) the cost of operation and maintenance of the 
Center; and 
(F) a description of the manner and extent to which 
non-Federal entities shall participate in the acquisition 
and construction of the Center. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—^To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary 
may— 
(1) acquire land and interests in land for the construction 
of the Center by— 
(A) donation; 
(B) purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or 
(C) exchange; 
(2) provide for local review of and input concerning the 
development and operation of the Center by the Advisory Board 
for the National Historic California Emigrant Trails Interpre-
tive Center of the city of Elko, Nevada; 
(3) periodically prepare a budget and funding request that 
allows a Federal agency to carry out the maintenance and 
operation of the Center; 
(4) enter into a cooperative agreement with— 
(A) the State, to provide assistance in— 
(i) removal of snow from roads; 
114 STAT. 3070 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
(ii) rescue, firefighting, and law enforcement serv-
ices; and 
(iii) coordination of activities of nearby law enforce-
ment and firefighting departments or agencies; and 
(B) a Federal, State, or local agency to develop or 
operate facilities and services to carry out this title; and 
(5) notwithstanding any other provision of law, accept dona-
tions of funds, property, or services from an individual, founda-
tion, corporation, or public entity to provide a service or facility 
that is consistent with this title, as determined by the Sec-
retary, including 1-time contributions for the Center (to be 
payable during construction funding periods for the Center 
after the date of enactment of this Act) from— 
(A) the State, in the amount of $3,000,000; 
(B) Elko County, Nevada, in the amount of $1,000,000; 
and 
(C) the city of Elko, Nevada, in the amount of 
$2,000,000. 
SEC. 105. AXTTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$12,000,000. 
Education Land 
Grant Act. 
TITLE II—CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL 
FOREST SYSTEM LANDS FOR EDU-
CATIONAL PURPOSES 
16 use 479a 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "Education Land Grant Act". 
16 use 479a. 
SEC. 202. CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS FOR 
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONVEY.—^Upon written application, the Sec-
retary of Agriculture may convey National Forest System lands 
to a public school district for use for educational purposes if the 
Secretary determines that— 
(1) the public school district seeking the conveyance will 
use the conveyed land for a public or publicly funded elementary 
or secondary school, to provide grounds or facilities related 
to such a school, or for both purposes; 
(2) the conveyance will serve the public interest; 
(3) the land to be conveyed is not otherwise needed for 
the purposes of the National Forest System; 
(4) the total acreage to be conveyed does not exceed the 
am.ount reasonably necessary for the proposed use; 
(5) the land is to be used for an established or proposed 
project that is described in detail in the application to the 
Secretary, and the conveyance would serve public objectives 
(either locally or at large) that outweigh the objectives and 
values which would be served by maintaining such land in 
Federal ownership; 
(6) the applicant is financially and otherwise capable of 
implementing the proposed project; 
(7) the land to be conveyed has been identified for disposal 
in an applicable land and resource management plan under 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3071 
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.); and 
(8) an opportunity for public participation in a disposal 
under this section has been provided, including at least one 
public hearing or meeting, to provide for public comments. 
(b) ACREAGE LIMITATION.—^A conveyance under this section may 
not exceed 80 acres. However, this limitation shall not be construed 
to preclude an entity from submitting a subsequent application 
under this section for an additional land conveyance if the entity 
can demonstrate to the Secretary a need for additional land. 
(c) COSTS AND MINERAL RIGHTS.—(1) A conveyance under this 
section shall be for a nominal cost. The conveyance may not include 
the transfer of mineral or water rights. 
(2) If necessary, the exact acreage and legal description of 
the real property conveyed under this title shall be determined 
by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary and the applicant. The 
cost of the survey shall be borne by the applicant. 
(d) REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.—When the Secretary receives 
Notification. 
an application under this section, the Secretary shall— 
(1) before the end of the 14-day period beginning on the 
date of the receipt of the application, provide notice of that 
receipt to the applicant; and 
(2) before the end of the 120-day period beginning on that 
date— 
(A) make a final determination whether or not to 
convey land pursuant to the application, and notify the 
applicant of that determination; or 
(B) submit written notice to the applicant containing 
the reasons why a final determination has not been made. 
(e) REVERSIONARY INTEREST.—If, at any time after lands are 
conveyed pursuant to this section, the entity to whom the lands 
were conveyed attempts to transfer title to or control over the 
lands to another or the lands are devoted to a use other than 
the use for which the lands were conveyed, title to the lands 
shall revert to the United States. 
TITLE III—GOLDEN SPIKE/CROSSROADS 
OF THE WEST NATIONAL HERITAGE 
AREA STUDY AREA AND THE CROSS-
ROADS OF THE WEST HISTORIC DIS-
TRICT 
SEC. 301. AUTHOMZATION OF STUDY. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section: 
(1) GOLDEN SPIKE RAIL STUDY.^The term "Golden Spike 
Rail Study means the Grolden Spike Rail Feasibility Study, 
Reconnaissance Survey, Ogden, Utah to Golden Spike National 
Historic Site", National Park Service, 1993. 
(2) SECRETARY.—^The term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
(3) STUDY AREA.—^The term "Study Area" means the Golden 
Spike/Crossroads of the West National Heritage Area Study 
Area, the boundaries of which are described in subsection (d). 
Utah. 
114 STAT. 3072 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
(b) IN GENERAL.—^The Secretary shall conduct a study of the 
Study Area which includes Einalysis and documentation necessary 
to determine whether the Study Area— 
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of Amer-
ican heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, interpreta-
tion, and continuing use, and are best managed through part-
nerships among public and private entities; 
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folk-life that 
are a valuable part of the national story; 
(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
historic, cultural, or scenic features; 
(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational 
opportunities; 
(5) contains resources important to the identified theme 
or themes of the Study Area that retain a degree of integrity 
capable of supporting interpretation; 
(6) 
includes 
residents, 
business 
interests, 
nonprofit 
organizations, and local and State governments who have dem-
onstrated support for the concept of a National Heritage Area; 
and 
(7) has a potential management entity to work in partner-
ship with residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, 
and local and State governments to develop a National Heritage 
Area consistent with continued local and State economic 
activity. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the Secretary 
shall— 
(1) consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer, 
State Historical Society, and other appropriate organizations; 
and 
(2) use previously completed materials, including the 
Golden Spike Rail Study. 
(d) BOUNDARIES OF STUDY AREA.—^The Study Area shall be 
comprised of sites relating to completion of the first transcontinental 
railroad in the State of Utah, concentrating on those areas identified 
on the map included in the (Jolden Spike Rail Study. 
Deadline. 
(e) REPORT.—^Not later than 3 fiscal years after funds are 
first made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate a report on the findings and conclusions of the study 
and recommendations based upon those findings and conclusions, 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—^There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary 
to carry out the provisions of this section. 
16 u s e 461 note. 
SEC. 302. CROSSROADS OF THE WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT. 
(a) PURPOSES.—^The purposes of this section are— 
(1) to preserve and interpret, for the educational and 
inspirational benefit of the public, the contribution to our 
national heritage of certain historic and cultural lands and 
edifices of the Crossroads of the West Historic District; and 
(2) to enhance cultural and compatible economic redevelop-
ment within the District. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section: 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3073 
(1) DISTRICT.—^The term "District" means the Crossroads 
of the West Historic District established by subsection (c). 
(2) SECRETARY.—^The term "Secretar/' means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
(3) HISTORIC INFRASTRUCTURE.—^The term "historic infra-
structure" means the District's historic buildings and any other 
structure that the Secretary determines to be eligible for listing 
on the National Register of Historic Places. 
(c) CROSSROADS OF THE WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—^There is established the Crossroads 
of the West Historic District in the city of Ogden, Utah. 
(2) BOUNDARIES.—^The boundaries of the District shall be 
the boundaries depicted on the map entitled "Crossroads of 
the West Historic District", numbered OGGO-20,000, and dated 
March 22, 2000. The map shall be on file and available for 
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Department 
of the Interior. 
(d) DEVELOPMENT PLAN.—^The Secretary may make grants and 
enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Utah, local 
governments, and nonprofit entities under which the Secretary 
agrees to pay not more than 50 percent of the costs of— 
(1) preparation of a plan for the development of historic, 
architectural, natural, cultural, and interpretive resources 
within the District; 
(2) implementation of projects approved by the Secretary 
under the development plan described in paragraph (1); and 
(3) an analysis assessing measures that could be taken 
to encourage economic development and revitalization within 
the District in a manner consistent with the District's historic 
character. 
(e) RESTORATION, PRESERVATION, AND INTERPRETATION OF 
PROPERTIES.— 
(1) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—^The Secretary may enter 
into cooperative agreements with the State of Utah, local 
governments, and nonprofit entities owning property within 
the District under which the Secretary may— 
(A) pay not more than 50 percent of the cost of 
restoring, repairing, rehabilitating, and improving historic 
infrastructure within the District; 
(B) provide technical assistance with respect to the 
preservation and interpretation of properties within the 
District; and 
(C) mark and provide interpretation of properties 
within the District. 
(2) NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTIONS.—When determining the 
cost of restoring, repairing, rehabilitating, and improving his-
toric infrastructure within the District for the purposes of para-
graph (1)(A), the Secretary may consider any donation of prop-
erty, services, or goods from a non-Federal source as a contribu-
tion of funds from a non-Federal source. 
(3) PROVISIONS.—^A cooperative agreement under paragraph 
(1) shall provide that— 
(A) the Secretary shall have the right of access at 
reasonable times to public portions of the property for 
interpretive and other purposes; 
(B) no change or alteration may be made in the prop-
erty except with the agreement of the property owner. 
114 STAT. 3074 
PUBLIC LAW 106-577—DEC. 28, 2000 
the Secretary, and any Federal agency that may have 
regulatory jurisdiction over the property; and 
(C) any construction grant made under this section 
shall be subject to an agreement that provides— 
(i) that conversion, use, or disposal of the project 
so assisted for purposes contrary to the purposes of 
this section shall result in a right of the United States 
to compensation from the beneficiary of the grant; and 
(ii) for a schedule for such compensation based 
on the level of Federal investment and the anticipated 
useful life of the project. 
(4) APPLICATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—^A property owner that desires to 
enter into a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) 
shall submit to the Secretary an application describing 
how the project proposed to be funded will further the 
purposes of the management plan developed for the Dis-
trict. 
(B) CONSIDERATION.—In making such fiinds available 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall give consider-
ation to projects that provide a greater leverage of Federal 
funds. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section not 
more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year and not more than 
$5,000,000 total. 
Approved December 28, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2749: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-441 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
Oct. 5, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 24, considered and passed House, amended. 
Dec. 15, Senate concurred in House amendments.