Timpanogos Interagency Land Exchange Act
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 107-329.
Official Summary
Timpanogos Interagency Land Exchange Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to exchange specified Federal lands for non-Federal lands in the Salt Lake Meridian, Utah.Requires the Secretary to determine that title to the non-Federal land is acceptable based on Federal land acquisitions approval standards.Directs that the fair market value of the non-Federal land and the improvements on it shall be determined by an appraisal that is approved by the Secretary and conforms with the standards in the publication entitled "Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions." Requires that each parcel of Federal land in the exchange be appraised separately, and that the values shall not be affected by the unit rule in the appraisal standards.Authorizes the Secretary to make or accept a cash equalization payment in excess of 25 percent of the total value of the lands or interests being transferred from Federal ownership.Provides that the property conveyed to the United States shall become part of the Uinta National Forest, and that for purposes of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, the boundaries of the national forest as adjusted by this Act shall be considered to be the boundaries as of January 1, 1965. Directs the Secretary to manage the acquired lands in accordance with the Weeks Act and other laws (including regulations) that apply to National Forest System (NFS) land.(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to deposit any cash equalization funds received in the fund established under the Sisk Act, for use in acquiring land and interests in land for administrative sites within Utah and land for the NFS.(Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to construct a visitor's center and administrative facility on the non-Federal land acquired. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of the National Park Service, respectively, to occupy, operate, and maintain such facility.(Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Timpanogos Interagency Land Exchange Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange specified federal lands for non-federal lands in Utah. The bill sets appraisal and valuation standards for the land exchange, allows for cash equalization payments, and requires the acquired lands to be managed as part of the Uinta National Forest. It also mandates the construction of a visitor's center and administrative facility on the acquired land, with shared operation by the Forest Service and National Park Service.
This bill facilitates a land exchange in Utah to adjust federal land boundaries and improve management and visitor facilities within the Uinta National Forest.
- Authorizes land exchange between federal and non-federal lands in the Salt Lake Meridian, Utah.
- Requires appraisals and valuation standards for land involved in the exchange, including cash equalization payments.
- Mandates construction and joint operation of a visitor's center and administrative facility on the acquired land.
Federal land management agencies such as the Forest Service and National Park Service, as well as visitors to the Uinta National Forest, may benefit from improved land management and facilities. Local stakeholders involved in the land exchange may also be affected.
Implementation may involve complexities in land valuation and appraisal processes. The requirement for cash equalization payments exceeding 25 percent could have budgetary implications. Details on funding for construction and ongoing maintenance of facilities are not fully specified.
The bill was introduced in the Senate during the 107th Congress and has been signed into law. It falls under the policy area of Public Lands and Natural Resources, reflecting ongoing federal management of national forest lands.
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The land exchange and facility construction may influence local land use, tourism, and federal land management practices. Adjusting national forest boundaries could affect conservation and recreational activities in the region.
The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis. Citizens may want to review appraisal standards and funding mechanisms for the visitor center and administrative facility. Monitoring how cash equalization payments are managed could be important for transparency.
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