§539m–11 Provisions relating to contributions and land exchange

Summary

Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to take money or help from the Pueblo or others to finish a survey of the Area or to do other projects that benefit the Area. The survey must be finished not later than 1 year after February 20, 2003. Not later than 180 days after February 20, 2003, the Secretary must, after talking with the Pueblo, prepare and offer a land swap of National Forest land (outside the Area and next to the Pueblo’s Reservation in sections 3, 10, 11, and 14 of T12N, R4E, N.M.P.M., Sandoval County, New Mexico, excluding wilderness) for Pueblo land in the Evergreen Hills subdivision in Sandoval County and the La Luz tract in Bernalillo County. The Secretary may make or accept a cash adjustment larger than 25 percent of the value moved out of Federal ownership. Money from the swap must go into the fund under section 484a to buy non-Federal land near New Mexico National Forests. Land given to the Pueblo will be held in trust by the United States, added to the Reservation, kept in its natural state, and not used for commercial development. Forest Service land received will follow the use limits in sections 539m to 539m–12. If the offer is not made by the 180‑day deadline, the Secretary must report to the Senate and House committees explaining why and whether new laws are needed. If the swap is not done by 30 days after June 9, 2014, the Secretary must transfer certain National Forest land shown as “Land to be Held in Trust” on the map titled “Sandia Pueblo Settlement Technical Amendment Act” dated October 18, 2013, to the Secretary of the Interior to hold in trust for the Pueblo and keep undeveloped. After that transfer, the Interior Secretary, with the Pueblo’s OK, will transfer the La Luz tract and the Piedra Lisa conservation easement to the Secretary and give a right‑of‑way for the Piedra Lisa Trail as shown on that same map. The Secretary may buy Pueblo-owned lots in Evergreen Hills or other private land inside the Area, and the Cibola National Forest boundaries will be changed to include land bought this way. Subject to available money, the Secretary must pay the Pueblo fair market value for a right‑of‑way and for the Piedra Lisa conservation easement. The Pueblo, Bernalillo County, and any person who owned property inside the Area and who paid actual costs for participating in Pueblo of Sandia v. Babbitt or related proceedings may apply for reimbursement for homeowner association payments for legal help and for legal fees and expenses. Reimbursement comes instead of claims under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The Department of the Treasury will pay reimbursements if money is appropriated. Applications must be filed not later than 180 days after February 20, 2003. No single party may get more than $750,000, and the total paid under this rule may not exceed $3,000,000.