HR197119th Congress

Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Stauber

In Committee

Summary

A land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest would trade about 17.5 acres of federal land for about 36.7 acres from Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC. The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, would have one year after Big Winnie Land and Timber offers to accept the trade, convey the federal parcel while reserving a road-access easement, and add the non-federal parcel to the National Forest. The exchange is conditioned on title approval, appraisals by an independent qualified appraiser with cash equalization if values differ, completion of a Phase I environmental site assessment before acceptance, and Big Winnie Land and Timber paying closing and survey and survey costs.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Appraisals and cash rules for land swap

If enacted, an independent appraiser agreed by the Secretary and BWLT would set the land values. Appraisals would follow the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and USPAP. The swap would be for equal value or fixed by a cash payment. If BWLT’s land is worth more than the federal land, the United States would not pay cash. The difference would count as a donation by BWLT for all legal purposes.

Finalize map and add land to forest

If enacted, the Secretary would finalize the map and legal descriptions as soon as practical after enactment. If the map and a written description differ, the map would control. The Secretary and BWLT could fix small errors by agreement. The final map and descriptions would be on file at Forest Service offices for public viewing. Any land received would be added to the Chippewa National Forest and managed under National Forest rules.

Forest land swap on one-year timeline

If enacted, BWLT could offer about 36.7 acres to the United States. The Secretary of Agriculture would be required to finish the exchange within 1 year of that offer. The United States would convey about 17.5 acres to BWLT and keep a road access easement to Forest Service land west of that parcel. The United States would accept BWLT’s land if title is sufficient under federal law. The swap would only proceed if other conditions are met, including cash equalization rules, a satisfactory Phase I environmental review, valid existing rights, and any terms the Secretary sets.

BWLT pays surveys and closing costs

If enacted, BWLT would pay for all needed surveys to set exact acres and legal descriptions. BWLT would also pay closing costs like title insurance, searches, inspections, escrow, attorney fees, and recording. BWLT would pay for required environmental studies and give the Secretary a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. The exchange would only proceed if the Phase I review is satisfactory.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Stauber

MN • R

Cosponsors

  • Finstad

    MN • R

    Sponsored 1/3/2025

  • Fischbach

    MN • R

    Sponsored 1/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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