zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Rare Earths Supply Technology and Resources Transformation Act of 2010 or RESTART Act - Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Rare Earth Policy Task Force to monitor and assist federal agencies in expediting the review and approval of permits to accelerate the completion of projects that will increase investment in, exploration for, and development of domestic rare earths. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Energy to assess and report to Congress on: (1) the domestic rare earth supply chain; (2) rare earth elements critical to clean energy technologies and the national security; and (3) whether critical rare earth materials should be stockpiled. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) report to industry describing available mechanisms for obtaining government loan guarantees to reestablish a domestic rare earth supply chain; and (2) issue guidance for the rare earth industry on obtaining federal loan guarantees. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on past, current, and future projects to support the domestic rare earth supply chain. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States faces a shortage of key rare earth materials that form the backbone of both the defense and energy supply chains; (2) the urgent need to reestablish a domestic rare earth supply chain warrants a statutory prioritization of projects to support such reestablishment; (3) there is a pressing need to support innovation, training, and workforce development in the domestic rare earth supply chain; and (4) the Departments of Energy, of the Interior, of Commerce, and of Defense should each provide funds to academic institutions, federal laboratories, and private entities for innovation, training, and workforce development in the domestic rare earth supply chain.

Date: 2010-06-22
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Energy
Central Rockies Land Exchange and National Park System Enhancement Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), if the Bear Ranch, LLC, offers to convey all interest in specified non-federal parcels of land within the Curecanti National Recreation Area in Gunnison County, Colorado, and Dinosaur National Monument in Uintah County, Utah, for inclusion in the National Park System, to accept the offer and the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to convey to the Ranch all interest of the United States in specified federal land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the United States Forest Service. Requires the USDA Secretary, if the Darien Ranch offers to convey all interest in certain non-federal land in Gunnison County, to accept the offer, and upon receipt of such land, to convey to the Ranch a permanent right-of-way of no more than 200 feet in width for a water intake on Rapid Creek and water pipeline (and access to such intake and pipeline) running along an existing irrigation ditch from the Creek to private land. Requires the values of the federal and non-federal lands in each separate land exchange to be equal and to be determined by appraisals performed in accordance with this Act. Requires lands acquired by the Secretary and the USDA Secretary, respectively, to become part of: (1) the Curecanti National Recreation Area or Dinosaur National Monument; and (2) the unit of the National Forest System in which the land is located. Requires implementation of a travel management plan for the design, construction, improvement, replacement, or other siting of roads, trails, and trailheads in the Anthracite-Spring Creek Travel Planning Area.

Date: 2010-06-24
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Mohave Valley Land Conveyance Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey specified federal land in Mohave County, Arizona, to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for use as a public shooting range. Requires the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to pay all administrative costs necessary for the preparation and completion of any patents of, and transfer of title to, the federal land. Requires the land conveyed under this Act to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to be managed for recreation or other public purposes.

Date: 2010-07-12
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Lake Thunderbird Efficient Use Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to amend an existing contract or enter into one or more new contracts with the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District for the storage and conveyance of nonproject water in Norman project facilities to augment municipal and industrial supplies for the cities served by the District, if the Secretary determines that there is enough excess capacity in the reservoir on the Little River known as Lake Thunderbird that nonproject water can be stored there. Makes the costs of constructing, operating, and maintaining any additional infrastructure needed to enable the storage and conveyance of nonproject water in Norman project facilities under any provision of this Act the responsibility of the non-federal entity contracting with the Secretary for storage and conveyance rights.

Date: 2010-07-13
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Water resources development
Requires conveyance of approximately 44 acres of federally owned land administered by the Agricultural Research Service which comprises part of the National Animal Disease Center (the property) in the city of Ames, Iowa, to the city of Ames and its assigns. Requires the city: (1) to pay to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) the market value of the property, to be determined by an appraisal; and (2) at closing, to pay or reimburse the reasonable transaction and administrative costs associated with the conveyance incurred by the Secretary. Requires the city and the Secretary to bear their own attorneys fees. Requires the Secretary to meet disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, but to otherwise not be required to remediate or abate such substances or any other hazardous pollutants, contaminants, or waste that might be present on the property at the time of closing.

Date: 2010-07-19
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Makes available amounts from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) appropriated for the Bureau of Indian Affairs--Indian Guaranteed Loan Program Account that were rescinded by a section of P.L. 111-226.

Date: 2010-08-05
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for a specified microhydro project in nonwilderness areas within the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Defines "microhydro project" (generally) as a hydroelectric power generating facility with a maximum power generation capability of less than 100 kilowatts. Directs the Secretary to exchange approximately 18 acres of identified land within the boundary of the Park and Preserve for approximately 18 acres of land owned by Doyon Tourism, Inc. Requires the land acquired by the Secretary to be administered as part of the Park and Preserve.

Date: 2010-09-22
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Carson National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2010 - Adjusts the boundary of the Carson National Forest in New Mexico to incorporate approximately 4,990 acres of land identified as the Miranda Canyon Boundary on the map entitled "Carson National Forest Boundary Adjustment" and dated September 21, 2010.

Date: 2010-09-22
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Monongahela Conservation Legacy Act of 2010 - Designates the federal land within the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, to be known as the North Fork Mountain Wilderness, as a wilderness area for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS).

Date: 2010-09-28
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Burn Area Flood Prevention Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act of 2009 to include within the purpose of FLAME Wildlife Suppression Reserve Funds to cover the costs of burn area responses, including flood prevention. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to make the waiting period for coverage under a new contract for flood insurance coverage, and any modification to coverage under an existing flood insurance contract, inapplicable to the initial purchase of flood insurance coverage upon a determination by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that such period should be waived for private property affected by flooding on federal land affected by wildfire. Establishes the Schultz Fire Flooding Area Task Force. Designates the FEMA Administrator as the Chair of the Task Force. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate the efforts of the entities represented on the Task Force (including FEMA, the Corps of Engineers, the Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the United States Geological Survey [USGS], state and local governments, and community-based organizations and other interested parties) to implement interim and long-term flood protection systems; and (2) identify existing and potential funding, technical assistance, general investigations, and construction of flood protection projects. Directs the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, and the Secretary of Agriculture, to carry out a detailed study of the area that suffered damage as a result of wildfire or flash flooding beginning on June 20, 2010, depicted on the Arizona Division of Emergency Management map entitled "Schultz Flood #1 Operations Map," dated August 3, 2010, to evaluate the potential of integrating projects and programs of the Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) into a comprehensive, long-term flood protection system for that area. Directs the Attorney General to report on court costs and legal fees and expenses connected with the Jack Smith/Schultz Fuels Reduction Healthy Forest Restoration Project.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Emergency management
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2010 - Expands the boundaries of the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii to include specified lands identified in the map entitled "Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Area." Permits the Secretary of the Interior to acquire such lands by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. Prohibits the acquisition of lands or interests in land under this Act without the owner's consent.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Natchez Trace Parkway Land Conveyance Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the state of Mississippi by quitclaim deed all interest of the United States in two parcels of land in the city of Natchez, Mississippi, that consist of a total of approximately 67 acres, and are identified on the map entitled "Natchez Trace Parkway, Proposed Boundary Change." Adjusts the boundary of the Parkway to exclude the conveyed land and provides for inclusion in the Parkway of the approximately ten acres identified as the proposed addition on the map.

Date: 2010-11-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Churchill County Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Secretary of the Navy, without consideration, approximately 400 acres of federal land that is adjacent to Naval Air Station Fallon in Churchill County, Nevada, and that was withdrawn under a specified public land order. Grants the Secretary of the Navy full jurisdiction, custody, and control of such land upon its transfer.

Date: 2010-11-29
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to approve and issue a special use permit to a covered owner of a houseboat on Laurel Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky that provides authorization to use a houseboat of a covered owner as a landing pad for one or more approved helicopters that are owned by an approved medical evacuation company or the covered owner. Defines a "covered owner" as an owner of a houseboat located on such lake and on which is attached a helicopter landing pad that meets each applicable helicopter manufacturer requirement.

Date: 2010-12-02
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2010 - Establishes the Montana Forest Jobs and Restoration Pilot Initiative under which the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall implement authorized forest and watershed restoration projects and other land management projects on certain eligible lands within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Kootenai National Forests in Montana to achieve the specified purposes of the Initiative and specified performance requirements within such forests. Permits the inclusion of the Seeley Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest within the Initiative. Requires the identification of one or more collaborative groups or resource advisory committees for each national forest within the Initiative. Requires the Secretary to provide annual summaries to Congress on the Initiative's progress, and every five years, reports assessing such progress. Requires the Secretary to: (1) annually implement one or more authorized forest and watershed restoration projects on the eligible lands; and (2) implement in, one or more certain watershed areas, those projects that provide landscape-scale work in order to minimize entries into the watershed or watersheds; and (3) enter into stewardship contracts or agreements to carry out authorized forest and watershed restoration projects. Designates specified lands administered by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Montana as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Releases: (1) certain BLM wilderness study areas from further study for designation as wilderness; and (2) the Sapphire and West Pioneer Wilderness Study Areas from further study for inclusion as components of the NWPS. Designates specified federal lands in Montana as special management or recreation management areas. Requires a specified all-terrain vehicle study and report.

Date: 2010-12-18
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Wilderness Act of 2011 - Designates the Agua Tibia proposed wilderness additions in Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County, California, as wilderness and incorporates them into the Agua Tibia Wilderness. Designates the Beauty Mountain wilderness additions in San Diego County, California, as wilderness and incorporates them into the Beauty Mountain Wilderness.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests Protection Act - Incorporates specified proposed wilderness additions into the Cucamonga and Sheep Mountain Wilderness Areas in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests in California. Sets forth provisions regarding private property and water rights protections and permissible activities in such additions. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to take such measures in the Cucamonga, Sheep Mountain, and San Gabriel Wilderness Areas that are necessary for the control of fire, insects, and diseases. Directs the Secretary to assess a specified maintenance backlog in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests. Requires completion of the studies regarding the potential addition of portions of the San Gabriel River, San Antonio Creek, and Middle Fork Lytle Creek in California to the national wild and scenic rivers system.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act - Designates specified parcels of federal land in central Idaho as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Repeals existing law requiring review of portions of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) for possible inclusion in the NWPS. Provides for the use of an appropriate site in the vicinity of the Smiley Creek community in Blaine County in central Idaho for construction and use of a fire station for the Smiley Creek Rural Fire Protection District. Authorizes: (1) the use of such site through a special use permit or conveyance to the District; and (2) the issuance of a special use permit to the District for development of a well for fire protection and other public purposes. Requires the conveyance of specified parcels of federal land to Blaine and Custer Counties and the cities of Challis and Clayton in central Idaho. Sets forth requirements regarding trail management in Germania Creek Trail, Forest Service Trails 109 and 671, and Frog Lake Loop Trail. Authorizes such improvements as may be necessary for maintenance of the first mile of the Murdock Creek Trail as a primitive, nonpaved, and wheel-chair accessible trail.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Confers upon the U.S. Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction to hear, determine, and render final judgment on any legal or equitable claim against the United States to receive just compensation for the taking of certain lands in the state of Missouri by reason of the decision and notice of interim trail use or abandonment authorized by the National Trails System Act and decided by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) on March 25, 1992.

Date: 2011-01-06
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Law
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), if the White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, California, offers to convey to the Secretary a parcel of non-federal land that is acceptable to the Secretary and the Secretary accepts the offer, to convey approximately five acres of certain identified National Forest System land in Santa Barbara County to the Foundation. Subjects the land exchange to provisions under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 related to exchanges of public lands and interests therein within the National Forest System. Expresses the intent of Congress that the land exchange be completed within two years of enactment of this Act. Allows the Secretary to offer to sell to the White Lotus Foundation the federal land for fair market value if such exchange is not completed by such time. Makes the land exchange and any such sale subject to specified additional terms and conditions, including to valid existing rights and the White Lotus Foundation paying the reasonable costs of surveys, appraisals, and other administrative costs associated with the exchange or sale. Requires land conveyed by exchange or sale under this Act to be appraised by an independent appraiser selected by the Secretary and such an appraisal to be conducted in accordance with nationally recognized appraisal standards.

Date: 2011-01-07
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Bars the use of any funds available to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to implement or enforce Subpart B of the Travel Management Rule relating to the designation of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use in an administrative unit of the National Forest System in California, unless the Secretary has completed post-Subpart B project level trail planning of unauthorized routes in the unit not considered in subpart B.

Date: 2011-01-07
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Los Padres National Forest Land Exchange Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specified National Forest System lands to the United Water Conservation District of California in exchange for the conveyance of specified non-federal lands to the Secretary. Makes the completion of such land exchange a priority for the Forest Service and instructs the Forest Service to endeavor to complete the exchange within one year of enactment. Requires the Secretary to reserve easements for all trails and roads considered necessary for administrative purposes and to ensure public access.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 regarding waivers of small miner claim maintenance fees to extend the allowance of a certain period to cure a defect in the waiver application to a failure to timely file either a waiver application or an affidavit of annual labor associated with the application and the required application fees. Considers specified claimholder claims as: (1) having received a first half final certificate for application before September 30, 1994; and/or (2) qualifying for specified relief under the Act, including opportunity to cure.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 23, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Help to Access Land for the Education of Scouts or HALE Scouts Act - Requires the conveyance of specified National Forest System land in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma to the Indian Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of America. Excludes from such conveyance any land within the Indian Nations National Scenic and Wildlife Area designated under the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation and Wilderness Area Act. Requires the Council to pay to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) the fair market value of the land, as determined by an appraisal approved by the Secretary and done to conform with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and the provisions relating to exchanges of public lands and interests within the National Forest System under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. States that access to the conveyed land shall be from the adjacent land of the Council or its successor. Bars the Secretary from being required to provide additional access to such land. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe such terms and conditions on the conveyance as the Secretary considers in the public interest, including the reservation of access rights to the conveyed land for administrative purposes.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Expands the boundaries of the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico to include the Manzano Wilderness Study Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer administrative jurisdiction over any such land under the Secretary's jurisdiction to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) and makes such land subject to the laws and regulations that pertain to the National Forest System. Requires the Manzano Wilderness Study Area to be designated as wilderness and added to the Manzano Mountain Wilderness.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Expands the boundaries of the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico to include the Crest of Montezuma. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer administrative jurisdiction over such land to the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) for inclusion in the Forest. Instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to administer any permit or other land use authorization for such transferred land that is still in effect as of the transfer date in accordance with the terms of such permit or authorization. Permits such Secretary, upon the expiration of such a permit or authorization, to reauthorize the use covered by that permit or authorization under the authorities available to the Secretary on such terms and conditions as considered in the public interest. Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire, with the owner's consent, the private land included within the boundaries of the Forest by this Act. Requires any federally owned lands that have already been or hereafter may be acquired for National Forest System purposes within the Forest's boundaries, as modified by this Act, to be managed as lands acquired under the Act of March 1, 1911, commonly known as the Weeks Act, and according to the other laws and regulations that pertain to the System. Withdraws the Crest of Montezuma from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the public land mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and mineral materials laws.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to convey and quitclaim all interest of the United States in and to a parcel of real property, including improvements, located at 4500 Glenwood Drive in Riverside, California, and administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to the Riverside Corona Conservation District.

Date: 2011-02-08
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act of 2011 - Establishes in the Department of Energy (DOE) a research, development, and commercial application program to assure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of rare earth materials to satisfy the national security, economic well-being, and industrial production needs of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) support new or significantly improved processes and technologies (as compared to those currently in use in the rare earth materials industry), (2) encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and opportunities for students at institutions of higher education, and (3) submit an implementation plan to Congress. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantee commitments for the commercial application of new or significantly improved technologies for specified projects. Amends the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to: (1) instruct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal materials research and development through the National Science and Technology Council (instead of, as currently required, the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, which is now defunct); (2) modify the duties of the Secretary of Commerce regarding critical needs assessment; and (3) repeal specified reporting and other duties of the Secretaries of Defense and of the Interior. Repeals the National Critical Materials Act of 1984.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District Land Exchange Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), if the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District of Boulder, Colorado, offers to convey non-federal land in unincorporated Boulder County and the offer is acceptable to the Secretary, to accept the offer and to convey federal land in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. Applies provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 relating to the exchange of public lands and interests within the National Forest System to the land exchange authorized under this Act, except that: (1) the Secretary may accept a cash equalization payment in excess of 25% of the value of the federal land; and (2) the District shall pay costs relating to any land surveys and appraisals of the federal and non-federal lands and enter into an agreement that allocates any other administrative costs between the Secretary and the District. Expresses the intent of Congress that such land exchange be completed within one year of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to offer to sell the federal land to the District if the exchange is not completed by such deadline. Permits the Secretary to offer to sell such land to the District for its fair market value. Requires the acquired non-federal land to become part of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests. Revokes any public orders withdrawing the federal land from entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws to the extent necessary to permit the conveyance of the federal land to the District. Withdraws such land on the date of enactment, if it is not already withdrawn or segregated from entry and appropriation under the public land laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, until it is conveyed to the District.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to permit a land exchange in Idaho between the Blaine County School District and the city of Ketchum involving specified parcels in Blaine County.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Requires conveyance of approximately 44 acres of federally owned land administered by the Agricultural Research Service which comprises part of the National Animal Disease Center in the city of Ames, Iowa, to the city of Ames and its assigns.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to require the term and acreage of permits for the operation of ski areas and associated facilities (under current law, for the operation of nordic and alpine ski areas and facilities) on National Forest System lands to be governed by provisions under the Act relating to such permits and other applicable law. Provides for the issuance of permits for the use and occupancy of suitable lands within the National Forest System for skiing and other snow-sports and recreational uses authorized pursuant to this Act. Requires each authorized activity and facility other than skiing and other snow-sports to: (1) encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature, (2) harmonize with the natural environment of the National Forest System land on which it is located, (3) be located within the developed portions of the ski area, and (4) be authorized in accordance with the applicable land and resource management plan and applicable laws. Specifies the activities and facilities that may be allowed or that are not allowed under a ski area permit issued pursuant to this Act. Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) from authorizing any activity or facility under this Act if its authorization would result in the primary recreational purpose of the National Forest System land with a ski area permit being a purpose other than skiing and other snow-sports. Bars the Secretary from considering the acreage necessary for authorized activities and facilities in determining the acreage encompassed by a ski area permit. Requires the Secretary to promulgate new regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, with respect to the allocation of surface mining reclamation funds to states and Indian tribes, to authorize uncertified states and Indian tribes to use certain unexpended and unappropriated balance amounts for: (1) acid mine drainage abatement and treatment, and (2) noncoal abandoned mine land reclamation. Modifies limitations placed upon the allocation of such surface mining reclamation funds to provide for payments for filling voids and sealing tunnels and entryways of noncoal mines as well as coal mines. ("Uncertified states and Indian tribes" are those which have not certified to the Secretary of the Interior completion of their abandoned coal mine reclamation work.)

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2011 - Withdraws the approximately 1,068,908 acres of the Tusayan Ranger District in Arizona and federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from: (1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and mineral materials laws. Subjects such withdrawal to valid, existing rights.

Date: 2011-03-01
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Mohave Valley Land Conveyance Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey, without consideration, specified public lands in Mohave County, Arizona, to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for use as a public shooting range.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Prohibits applying any criminal penalty for refusing or willfully neglecting to answer questions (except with respect to the respondent's name and contact information, the date of the response, and the number of people living or staying at the address) in connection with the American Community Survey conducted by the Secretary of Commerce.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Energy Critical Elements Renewal Act of 2011 - Establishes in the Department of Energy (DOE) a research, development, and commercial application program to assure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of energy critical elements to satisfy the national security, economic well-being, and industrial production needs of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) support new or significantly improved processes and technologies (as compared to those currently in use in the energy critical elements industry; (2) encourage multidisciplinary collaborations and opportunities for students at institutions of higher education; (3) collaborate with the relevant agencies of foreign countries with interests relating to energy critical elements; (4) establish a Research and Development Information Center to catalogue, disseminate, and archive information on energy critical elements; and (5) submit an implementation plan to Congress. Directs the President, acting through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, to coordinate the actions of federal agencies to: (1) promote an adequate and stable supply of energy critical elements, (2) identify energy critical elements and establish early warning systems for supply problems, (3) establish a mechanism for the coordination and evaluation of federal programs with energy critical element needs, and (4) encourage private enterprise in the development of an economically sound and stable domestic energy critical elements supply chain. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantee commitments for the commercial application of new or significantly improved technologies for specified rare earth materials projects. Amends the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to: (1) instruct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal materials research and development through the National Science and Technology Council (instead of, as currently required, the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, which is now defunct), (2) modify the duties of the Secretary of Commerce regarding critical needs assessment, and (3) repeal specified duties of the Secretaries of Defense and of the Interior. Repeals the National Critical Materials Act of 1984.

Date: 2011-03-08
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Energy
Benton MacKaye Cherokee National Forest Land Consolidation Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to convey and quitclaim to the Towee Falls Baptist Church a parcel of National Forest System land in Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, which surrounds the Church. Requires Towee Falls Baptist Church to pay to the Secretary an amount of cash that is equal to the fair market value of such parcel based on an appraisal approved by the Secretary. Requires deposit of the consideration received by the Secretary into a specified account in the Treasury and makes the monies so deposited available for the acquisition of lands and interests in the Cherokee National Forest. Authorizes the Secretary to use such monies to acquire from the Monroe County Tennessee Board of Education a tract of land known as the Doc Rogers tract if the Secretary and the Board reach an agreement on the terms of a federal acquisition.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to convey all interest of the United States in and to two parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest, Arizona, that contain private improvements that landowners developed based upon an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960, to the person or legal entity representing the majority of those landowners. Requires the person or legal entity that represents such landowners to pay $20,000.00 to the Secretary as consideration for the conveyance of the parcels. Requires the Secretary to deposit the consideration received under this Act into a special account in the fund established under the Sisk Act and to make such deposited funds available for the acquisition of land in the National Forest System. Revokes public orders withdrawing any of the federal land from appropriation or disposal under the public land laws, to the extent necessary to permit the conveyance of all of the federal land. Withdraws the federal land authorized for conveyance under this Act from entry and appropriation under the public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws until the completion of the conveyance. Makes the conveyance authorized by this Act subject only to such surveys and clearances as are needed to protect U.S. interests. Terminates the authority provided under this Act three years after this Act's enactment.

Date: 2011-03-11
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Disposal of Excess Federal Lands Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to offer for disposal by competitive sale certain federal lands in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, previously identified as suitable for disposal in the report submitted to Congress on May 27, 1997, pursuant to the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.

Date: 2011-03-16
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Montana Mineral Conveyance Act - (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of the Interior, if Great Northern Properties Limited Partnership (the Great Northern Properties) conveys to the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe all its mineral interests underlying specified aggregate tracts of land in Montana within the Tribe's reservation (the Cheyenne tracts), to convey to Great Northern Properties all interest of the United States in and to the coal underlying specified unleased federal tracts in Montana outside of the Tribe's reservation. Prohibits the mineral interests underlying the Cheyenne tracts conveyed to the Tribe from being subject to taxation by the state of Montana. (Sec. 5) Requires the Northern Cheyenne Tribe to waive all legal claims arising from the continuing failure of the United States to acquire for the Tribe the mineral rights underlying the Cheyenne tracts as part of the Tribe's reservation as directed by Congress in 1900. Instructs the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and Great Northern Properties to jointly notify the Secretary in writing when they have agreed on a formula for the sharing of revenue from the coal produced from the federal tracts. Requires, after such condition is satisfied and within 90 days of the Secretary receiving such written notification, the completion of the mineral conveyances under this Act in a single transaction. Allows the Secretary or Great Northern Properties, if any part of such conveyances is invalidated by a federal district court and the court's judgment is not vacated or reversed on appeal, to rescind each such conveyance. Requires, if such a rescission is carried out, the Tribe's waiver to be considered as being rescinded. (Sec. 6) Specifies this Act's effect on the eligibility of the Tribe or its members to receive other federal benefits or services.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
McKinney Lake National Fish Hatchery Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the McKinney Lake National Fish Hatchery in Richmond County, North Carolina, to the state of North Carolina to be used by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as a component of the fish and wildlife management program of the state. Requires the state to allow the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to use such property for the propagation of any critically important aquatic resource held in public trust to address the specific restoration or recovery needs of such resource. Requires reversion of the property if it is used for any purpose other than as described above.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Soda Ash Royalty Extension, Job Creation, and Export Enhancement Act of 2012 - Amends the Soda Ash Royalty Reduction Act of 2006 to extend from October 12, 2011, through October 12, 2016, the reduced (2%) royalty rate for soda ash.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), if the Trinity Public Utilities District of Trinity County, California, conveys to the Secretary of Agriculture the Van Duzen parcel within the Six Rivers National Forest and if the District conveys to the Secretary of the Interior the Sky Ranch parcel adjacent to public land administered by the Redding Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey land in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near the Weaverville Airport to the District. Requires, regarding the value of the Van Duzen and Sky Ranch parcels, that: (1) if such value is less than that of the land conveyed to the Utilities District any cash equalization payments received by the Secretaries shall be deposited in the Treasury, and (2) if such value is greater, no cash equalization payment may be made to the District and the acreage of the land involved may be adjusted to equalize the value of the exchange. Instructs that the exact acreage and legal description of the lands to be exchanged be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary concerned. Makes the District responsible for the survey costs and reasonable administrative costs related to the exchange. Requires the land acquired by the USDA Secretary to be added to and administered as part of the Six Rivers National Forest and the land acquired by the Secretary of the Interior to be administered as public land by the Redding Field Office. Directs the USDA Secretary to complete the conveyance of the System land within one year of the date on which the District offers to make such conveyances.

Date: 2011-03-29
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Rio Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act - Establishes the Rio Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area in New Mexico. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure the protection of religious and cultural sites in the Conservation Area and to provide access to them by tribal members. Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the Conservation Area. Designates the Cerro Del Yuta Wilderness and Rio San Antonio Wilderness as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS).

Date: 2011-03-29
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to convey to the town of Mantua, Utah, all interest of the United States in and to parcels of National Forest System land in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Box Elder County, Utah, that are labeled as parcels A, B, and C on the map entitled "Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act" and dated July 14, 2008. Requires the town to use the land conveyed under this Act for public purposes.

Date: 2011-03-30
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Resource Assessment of Rare Earths Act of 2011 or RARE Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to submit a comprehensive report on global rare earth element resources and the potential future global supply of such resources. Requires the report to include recommendations on areas of need for future geologic research related to rare earth elements and other minerals that are critical based on the impact of a potential supply restriction and the likelihood of one.

Date: 2011-04-01
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Coal Accountability and Retired Employee Act of 2011 or CARE Act - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to transfer specified excess funds derived from coal mine operator-paid reclamation fees to the trustees of the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan for use solely to pay pension benefits required under such Plan.

Date: 2011-04-05
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Rare Earths Supply Chain Technology and Resources Transformation Act of 2011 or RESTART Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should take necessary action to ensure the reintroduction of a competitive domestic and ally nation rare earth supply chain, including reintroduction of mining, refining/processing, alloying and manufacturing operations using domestic and ally nation suppliers to provide a secure source of rare earth materials as a vital component of national security and economic policy. Requires each federal agency to expedite permitting and projects for the exploration and development of domestic rare earths. Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Rare Earth Policy Task Force to monitor and assist federal agencies in expediting review and approval of permits to accelerate the completion of projects that will increase investment in, exploration for, and development of domestic rare earth elements. Directs each of the Secretaries of Commerce, of Defense (DOD), of Energy (DOE), of the Interior, and the Secretary of State to appoint an Executive Agent, at the Assistant Secretary level, to serve as representative on an interagency working group to reestablish a competitive domestic rare earth supply chain. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize the DOE Secretary to implement a temporary loan guarantee program for the commercial application of new or improved technologies to recover and process rare earth materials. Directs the President to establish a neodymium iron boron magnet alloy and dysprosium iron alloy inventory, to be managed by the Administrator of the Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials. Directs the President, acting through the DOD Secretary, to encourage the development of a domestic neodymium iron boron magnet manufacturing capability by seeking to enter into long-term supply contracts for the delivery of necessary grades of domestic neodymium iron boron magnets to meet DOD demand. Establishes in the U.S. Geological Survey a research and demonstration program for the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of rare earth materials in quantities sufficient to satisfy the U.S. national security, economic well-being, and industrial production needs. Makes conforming amendments to the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980.

Date: 2011-04-06
Topic: Public Lands (Public Lands)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources