Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 109-110.
Official Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 - Title I: Northern Arizona Land Exchange - (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to simultaneously convey title to certain lands in the Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership and the Northern Yavapai, L.L.C. (the Yavapai Ranch), in exchange for privately-owned land within the boundaries of the Prescott National Forest, Arizona. Requires the values of the land exchanged to be equal. Requires, when any parcel of either land being exchanged is not conveyed because of any reason, the exclusion of that parcel or part from the exchange and that the remaining lands shall be adjusted as provided in this Act. Grants to the Yavapai Ranch unrestricted and non-exclusive easements that run with and benefit the land transferred to the Ranch. Allows the cities of Flagstaff, Williams, and Camp Verde and certain summer camps in Arizona to enter into agreements with Yavapai Ranch for the conveyance of parts or all of the acquired parcels of Federal and located near such cities and camps. (Sec. 103) Reserves for the Yavapai Ranch water rights and perpetual easements for not more than three existing wells and related equipment on the land it is transferring to Federal control, with certain water rights from each existing or replacement well to be reserved for the United States. (Sec. 104) Provides for the establishment of conservation easements on certain of the Federal land transferred to the Yavapai Ranch to conserve water in the Verde Valley, Arizona, and to minimize adverse impacts from future development of the Camp Verde General Crook parcel on future and current holders of water rights and the Verde River and National Forest System lands retained by the United States. Requires any terms of conveyance for such parcel to include an agreement on the amount of water available for use on such land, as determined by the Ranch, subject to a specified limit. (Sec. 105) Provides that land acquired by the United States under this Act shall become part of the Prescott National Forest in accordance with this title and the laws applicable to the National Forest System. Sets forth certain rules for such land pertaining to: (1) grazing; and (2) timber harvesting. (Sec. 106) Revokes any public orders withdrawing any of the Federal land from appropriation or disposal as necessary to permit disposal of such land. Withdraws the Federal land from all forms of 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 date of the exchange. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to convey certain land in Coconino County, Arizona, to a person representing the majority of landowners with encroachments on the lot in exchange for the payment of a designated sum plus certain other costs. Title II: Verde River Basin Partnership - (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to participate in establishing a Verde River Basin Partnership, with members representing Federal, State, and local governments, and other entities with responsibilities and expertise in water to cooperate in the implementation of science-based policies, projects, and management for the Basin. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior of amounts necessary to carry out activities of the Partnership for FY 2006 through 2010. (Sec. 204) Sets forth requirements for a Partnership plan, studies, water budget analysis, preliminary report and recommendations. Requires a final report from the Partnership within four years of enactment. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretaries to enter into a memorandum of understanding authorizing the U.S. Geological Survey to access Forest Service land to carry out this title.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 facilitates a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and private entities involving lands in the Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests in Arizona. The Act requires equal value exchanges and includes provisions for easements, water rights, and conservation easements to protect water resources in the Verde Valley. It also authorizes the creation of the Verde River Basin Partnership, a cooperative effort among federal, state, and local entities to manage water resources scientifically. The Act includes directives for land management, grazing, timber harvesting, and withdrawal of certain federal lands from other uses until the exchange is completed. Additionally, it authorizes appropriations for partnership activities from 2006 to 2010 and mandates reporting requirements on water resource management.
This law enables a land exchange to support conservation and development goals in Northern Arizona while establishing a multi-agency partnership to manage water resources in the Verde River Basin.
- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange federal lands in national forests with private landowners, ensuring equal value in the exchange.
- Reserves water rights and establishes conservation easements to protect water resources in the Verde Valley.
- Authorizes the creation of the Verde River Basin Partnership to coordinate water management among federal, state, and local entities with funding authorized through 2010.
['Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership and Northern Yavapai, L.L.C. (private landowners involved in the exchange)', 'U.S. Forest Service and Department of Agriculture (land management agencies)', 'Cities of Flagstaff, Williams, and Camp Verde, Arizona', 'Summer camps in Arizona near the exchanged lands', 'Federal, state, and local governments participating in the Verde River Basin Partnership', 'Water resource managers and stakeholders in the Verde River Basin']
['Ensuring the land values exchanged are truly equal to avoid unintended losses or gains.', 'Managing and enforcing water rights and conservation easements effectively to protect water resources.', 'Coordination challenges among multiple federal, state, and local entities within the Partnership.', 'Potential limitations on land use due to withdrawal of federal lands from other forms of appropriation and leasing until exchange completion.', 'Adequate funding and oversight for the Partnership activities authorized through 2010.']
The bill was introduced and passed by the 109th Congress and signed into law on November 22, 2005. It addresses land management and water resource issues in Northern Arizona, reflecting ongoing federal efforts to balance conservation, development, and resource management in public lands. The establishment of a multi-jurisdictional partnership aligns with broader trends in collaborative natural resource governance.
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['Improved coordination among federal, state, and local agencies may lead to more integrated water resource management in the Verde River Basin.', 'Conservation easements and water rights provisions could influence future land development patterns and water use in the region.', 'Temporary withdrawal of federal lands from mining and leasing may impact local economies dependent on those activities during the exchange process.', 'The establishment of the Partnership and reporting requirements may increase transparency and data availability related to water management.']
The Act includes multiple provisions that require careful oversight, including ensuring equal land value exchanges, monitoring reserved water rights and easements, and managing the multi-agency Partnership with authorized funding limited to 2010. Transparency in the implementation of conservation easements and water resource management plans will be important to assess the Act's long-term impacts. The temporary withdrawal of federal lands from other uses until exchange completion should be tracked to understand economic and environmental effects.
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