Overview

Title

To provide for a land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H.R. 197 is a proposal where the U.S. government and a company called Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC will swap pieces of land in Minnesota. The company will give the government some land to add to a forest, and both sides need to agree that the trade is fair and safe.

Summary AI

H.R. 197, known as the “Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025,” proposes a land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota. The bill would allow Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT) to exchange 36.7 acres of non-federal land with 17.5 acres of federal land owned by the United States. The exchange requires both parties to agree on land values, supported by independent appraisals, and meet conditions such as environmental assessments and payment of costs by BWLT. The non-federal land acquired by the U.S. will become part of the Chippewa National Forest and be managed accordingly.

Published

2025-01-03
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2025-01-03
Package ID: BILLS-119hr197ih

Keywords AI

land exchange chippewa national forest lake winnibigoshish land exchange act of 2025 big winnie land and timber llc federal land non-federal land environmental assessments secretary of agriculture appraisals phase i environmental site assessment

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
3
Words:
1,219
Pages:
6
Sentences:
27

Language

Nouns: 356
Verbs: 76
Adjectives: 89
Adverbs: 10
Numbers: 45
Entities: 97

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.03
Average Sentence Length:
45.15
Token Entropy:
4.82
Readability (ARI):
23.46

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025," involves a land exchange within the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota. The bill outlines a process where a company, Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT), may offer non-federal land to the United States in exchange for federal land. The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, has the authority to accept this exchange under certain conditions. The key points of the exchange include stipulations for appraisals to determine land value, the requirement for BWLT to cover all associated costs, and the transfer of the non-federal land into the National Forest System.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several issues within the bill could invite debate or complications. Firstly, the waiver of a cash payment by the United States if the appraised value of the non-federal land exceeds that of the federal land may cause concerns regarding fairness and the perception of favoritism towards BWLT. Moreover, appraisals to determine "equal value" could be subjective, leading to potential disagreements. Additionally, BWLT is expected to bear all closing, survey, and other transactional costs, potentially limiting participation to entities with significant financial resources. Lastly, the conditions involving the environmental site assessment and map corrections could lead to disputes due to vagueness in their definitions and enforcement.

Potential Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, the bill is aimed at facilitating an orderly exchange of land that could lead to more efficient use and management of properties within the Chippewa National Forest. Such an exchange might enhance environmental conservation efforts if the lands acquired by the government are of ecological significance. Moreover, improved access or management of these lands could benefit recreation, local wildlife, and forestry programs. Conversely, the lack of stringent financial remuneration conditions could be perceived negatively by the public, especially if the land valuation appears to favor private interests over public land assets.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The bill distinctly impacts several stakeholders:

  • Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT): Positioned to benefit from acquiring federal land without the financial burden of cash equalization if appraisals favor them, though they must cover all transaction-related costs—a move that favors organizations with sufficient financial means.

  • Local Communities and Environmental Groups: These groups may stand to gain from the potential ecological benefits of land management under the National Forest System. However, they might also express concern if the land swap is perceived to disadvantage public interests.

  • The U.S. Government and Taxpayers: While taxpayers might question the financial prudence of waiving compensation for valuable non-federal lands, the government would rely on the public good and ecological improvements derived from adding to the federal land inventory to justify such decisions.

  • Appraisers and Legal Professionals: These individuals might experience increased demand for their services to ensure compliance with the bill's requirements for appraisals and legal descriptions, yet they may also face scrutiny over potential subjectivity and interpretations in their work.

In conclusion, the bill presents potential opportunities and challenges in achieving a beneficial land exchange in Minnesota’s Chippewa National Forest. Its impact will likely depend on the interpretations of its provisions and the perceived balance between public benefit and private gain.

Issues

  • The waiver of cash equalization payment by the United States if the non-Federal land exceeds the Federal land in value could be seen as favoring BWLT, as it allows the value difference to be considered a donation rather than requiring compensation. (Section 3(c)(2))

  • Potential for ambiguity exists in the determination of "equal value" in the appraisal process, as subjective interpretations could differ between appraisers and stakeholders. (Section 3(c)(1), 3(d)(1))

  • The requirement for BWLT to bear all closing and survey costs may limit potential exchanges to only those parties who can afford these expenses, potentially favoring organizations with greater financial resources. (Section 3(h), 3(i)(2))

  • The language regarding the potential correction of minor errors in the map or legal descriptions leaves room for interpretation regarding what constitutes a 'minor error,' which could lead to disputes. (Section 3(g)(3))

  • There is a lack of specificity on what constitutes "satisfactory completion" of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, leading to potential differences in interpretation between BWLT and the Secretary. (Section 3(b)(3))

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section provides the short title of the law, which is called the "Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025."

2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

In this section of the bill, several key terms are defined: "BWLT" refers to a company named Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC; "Map" refers to a specific map called “Heig Land Exchange”; and "Federal land" and "non-Federal land" describe certain parcels of land shown on this map. Additionally, "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Agriculture working through the Chief of the Forest Service.

3. Exchange of land Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The text outlines a land exchange agreement between BWLT and the United States, where the Secretary is required to exchange lands if BWLT offers non-Federal land. The exchange depends on factors like approved land titles, a possible cash payment if federal land is worth more, environmental assessments, and BWLT covering associated costs including appraisals and surveys, all while adhering to specific standards and conditions.