Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2006
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 109-377.
Official Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on April 20, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2006 - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) and the Secretary of the Interior, upon receipt of title to certain lands located in Pitkin County, Colorado, and certain lands located on Smuggler Mountain in the County (the non-federal lands), to convey to the County or to the Aspen Valley Land Trust, if the County so requests, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to certain National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands located in the County (the federal lands). (Sec. 5) Requires the values of the lands exchanged to be equal or to be made equal. Sets forth exchange terms and conditions for: (1) the appraisal of such lands; (2) the equalization of the values of such lands, including by a cash equalization payment made by the County and/or conveyance of the Sellar Park land parcel to the Secretary; and (3) the disposition and use of the proceeds received by the Secretary from any such payment. Requires the County, as a condition of the conveyance of the Crystal River parcel to the County, to agree to: (1) provide public access to the parcel; and (2) require that the parcel be used only for recreational, fish, and wildlife conservation, and public open space purposes. Requires the Secretary to reserve to the United States a permanent easement to the Wildwood parcel for the location, construction, and public use of the East of Aspen Trail. (Sec. 6) States that lands acquired by the Secretary pursuant to this Act shall become part of White River National Forest. Withdraws the non-federal land permanently from all forms of appropriation and disposal under the public land laws, including mining and mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Allows the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and the County to agree to: (1) minor adjustments to the boundaries of the federal and non-federal lands; and (2) modifications or deletions of parcels and mining claim remnants of federal land or non-federal land to be exchanged on Smuggler Mountain.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2006 authorizes a land exchange between the United States government and Pitkin County, Colorado, involving federal lands managed by the National Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management and certain non-federal lands in Pitkin County and on Smuggler Mountain. The Act requires that the values of the lands exchanged be equalized, either through cash payments or additional land conveyances. It sets conditions for public access and use of specific parcels, including recreational and conservation purposes, and establishes permanent easements for public trails. Lands acquired by the federal government through this exchange will be incorporated into the White River National Forest and withdrawn from certain public land laws. The Act also allows for minor boundary adjustments and modifications to the parcels involved in the exchange.
This law facilitates a land exchange to balance federal and local land interests in Pitkin County, Colorado, with provisions to ensure public access and conservation while integrating acquired lands into the National Forest system.
- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to exchange federal lands with Pitkin County or the Aspen Valley Land Trust upon receipt of certain non-federal lands.
- Requires equal valuation of lands exchanged, with options for cash equalization or additional land conveyance.
- Mandates public access and restricts use of the Crystal River parcel to recreational, fish and wildlife conservation, and public open space purposes.
- Establishes a permanent easement for the East of Aspen Trail on the Wildwood parcel.
- Withdraws acquired non-federal lands from mining, mineral leasing, and geothermal laws and incorporates them into the White River National Forest.
['Pitkin County government', 'Aspen Valley Land Trust', 'United States Forest Service', 'Bureau of Land Management', 'Local residents and visitors benefiting from public recreational access and conservation areas']
['Ensuring accurate and fair appraisal and valuation of lands to maintain equity in the exchange.', 'Managing and enforcing public access and land use restrictions on conveyed parcels.', 'Potential administrative complexity in coordinating between multiple federal and local agencies for boundary adjustments and land management.', 'Long-term oversight of land use compliance and easement maintenance.']
The bill was introduced and passed during the 109th Congress and was signed into law on December 1, 2006. It reflects a legislative approach to resolving land management and ownership issues between federal agencies and local governments in Colorado, specifically addressing land exchanges to support conservation and public use objectives.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Increased public recreational opportunities and conservation efforts in Pitkin County due to land use restrictions and easements.', 'Potential administrative workload increase for federal and local agencies managing land boundaries, easements, and compliance.', 'Withdrawal of certain lands from mining and mineral leasing laws may affect local resource development activities.']
The bill's transparency is supported by clear provisions on land valuation and use restrictions; however, the absence of the full bill text limits detailed analysis of enforcement mechanisms and funding. Oversight will be important to ensure equitable land valuation, compliance with public access requirements, and proper management of easements and withdrawn lands.
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