Current status is Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3937

1. Short title
2. Conveyance of certain National Forest System land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC
3. Comprehensive review of Federal permitting processes for stone, sand, and gravel development on Federal lands

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Wabeno Economic Development Act".

2. Conveyance of certain National Forest System land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC

(a) Conveyance required - If, during the 180-day period beginning on the date of Federal approval of the appraisal under subsection (d), Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC submits to the Secretary an offer to acquire the property described in subsection (b) for market value, as determined by such appraisal, the Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after receiving such offer, convey to Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC all right, title, and interest of the United States, including mineral rights, in and to the property described in subsection (b).

(b) Description of property -

(1) In general - The property referred to in subsection (a) is the parcel of real property, including all land and improvements, generally depicted as "Federal Parcel to be Conveyed" on the Map, consisting of approximately 14 acres of National Forest System land located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin.

(2) Map -

(A) Minor errors - The Secretary may correct minor errors in the Map.

(B) Availability - A copy of the Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate office of the Forest Service.

(3) Survey - The exact acreage and legal description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary.

(1) Requirements - The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be—

(A) - subject to valid existing rights;

(B) - made by quitclaim deed; and

(C) - subject to such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

(2) Costs - As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC shall pay to the Secretary—

(A) - an amount equal to the market value of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a), as determined by the appraisal under subsection (d); and

(B) - all costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of—

(i) - a survey, if necessary, under subsection (b)(3);

(ii) - conducting the appraisal under subsection (d); and

(iii) - any environmental analysis or resource survey required under Federal law.

(d) Appraisal -

(1) In general - Not later than 300 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an appraisal to determine the market value of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a).

(2) Standards - The appraisal under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with—

(A) - the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and

(B) - the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

(e) Hazardous materials - Notwithstanding the requirements of section 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)), with respect to the conveyance under subsection (a), the Secretary—

(1) - shall only be required to meet disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants under section 120(h); and

(2) - shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate the hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants disclosed pursuant to paragraph (1).

(f) Definitions - In this section:

(1) Map - The term Map means the map entitled "Conveyance of Federal Parcel Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest" and dated September 27, 2023.

(2) Secretary - The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

3. Comprehensive review of Federal permitting processes for stone, sand, and gravel development on Federal lands

(a) Review - The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and State permitting authorities, shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Federal permitting processes for the development of stone, sand, and gravel on Federal lands.

(b) Report - Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the entities referred to in subsection (a), shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of the Interior a report that includes—

(1) - a detailed description of the current Federal permitting process for stone, sand, and gravel development, including average timelines from initial application to final approval;

(2) - an analysis identifying potential inefficiencies and duplicative steps in such permitting process and the impact of such inefficiencies and duplicative steps on project timelines;

(3) - the Secretary’s recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to streamline such permitting process; and

(4) - a summary of the economic impacts associated with current permitting timelines under such permitting process, specifically focusing on the stone, sand, and gravel sectors.