§521d Sale, Exchange, or Interchange of National Forest System Land

Summary

The Secretary may sell, swap, or interchange National Forest System lands described in section 521e, and may transfer whatever United States ownership exists (including mineral rights), using a quitclaim deed (a simple deed that transfers the government's interest). The Secretary can take other land, land interests, cash, or any mix as payment. For sales or exchanges the trade must be at least equal in value (including mineral rights). For interchanges the values must be approximately equal (including mineral rights). The Secretary must put terms, conditions, and reservations in deeds to protect the public interest—like scenic, wildlife, recreation values and public access—except for deeds to lands outside the boundary of National Forest System units. Net proceeds from any sale or exchange under paragraphs (4), (5), or (6) of section 521e must go into the fund in section 484a. That money can be used until spent to buy land or interests for administrative sites in the same State that provided the funds, to buy land or interests to add to the National Forest System in that State (including land that improves recreational access), or to repay costs of preparing a competitive sale under section 521e.