Overview
Title
An Act To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Mesa County, Colorado, certain Federal land in Colorado, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The CONVEY Act is about the U.S. government giving a piece of land in Colorado to Mesa County, and Mesa County paying for all the costs, like checking how much the land is worth. The money from the sale goes back to the government, and a special map will be used to make sure everyone knows exactly which land is being talked about.
Summary AI
H.R. 2997, also known as the “Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act” or the “CONVEY Act,” proposes that the Secretary of the Interior transfer approximately 31.1 acres of federal land, known as the Clifton parcel, to Mesa County, Colorado. This transfer must be conducted according to existing rights and must be at fair market value, as determined by an independent appraisal. The costs of the transfer, including necessary surveys, will be covered by Mesa County, and any proceeds from the sale will support the Federal Land Disposal Account. The Secretary is also required to finalize a map and legal description of the land, with the map taking precedence in case of any discrepancies.
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the Bill
The proposed legislative measure, H.R. 2997, seeks to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to transfer a designated parcel of federal land, known as the "Clifton parcel," to Mesa County, Colorado. This 31.1-acre land conveyance aims to potentially spur economic development under the auspices of the "Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act" or the "CONVEY Act." The bill stipulates that the land's fair market value must be determined through an independent appraisal, with Mesa County responsible for covering all related costs. The proceeds generated from this conveyance are earmarked for deposit into the Federal Land Disposal Account.
Significant Issues
Several critical issues emerge from the analysis of this bill:
Financial Burden on Mesa County: The bill mandates that Mesa County shoulder all expenses associated with the land conveyance, including appraisals and surveys. This requirement could place a significant financial burden on the local government, potentially straining its budget.
Valuation Discrepancies: The determination of the land's "fair market value" relies solely on an independent appraisal. However, the bill does not provide a mechanism for Mesa County to contest or appeal this valuation, which could be a disadvantage if the appraisal is perceived as inaccurate or unfair.
Allocation of Proceeds: The proceeds from the land sale will be directed to the Federal Land Disposal Account without detailing how these funds might benefit Mesa County or the local community directly. This lack of transparency and accountability may raise concerns regarding the equitable distribution of funds.
Ambiguity in Timing: The phrase “as soon as practicable” to describe the conveyance timeline is vague and may result in delays without providing a clear timeline, leading to possible political or legal challenges.
Legal Concerns with Land Descriptions: The bill gives precedence to a map over written legal descriptions if discrepancies arise. Since maps are often less precise than textual descriptions, this could lead to potential legal disputes over land boundaries and ownership.
Potential Impact on the Public
The broader public could witness varied impacts from this bill. On a positive note, transferring federal land to local authorities like Mesa County can enhance local control, potentially leading to economic growth and development tailored to the county's needs. However, the financial obligations imposed on the county might divert resources from other essential public services, impacting residents negatively if costs are passed down through local taxes or reduced services.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Mesa County could experience both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, gaining control over local land could enable the county to pursue development projects aligned with its economic goals. On the other hand, the financial burden of covering conveyance-related costs and potential valuation disputes could strain the county's financial resources.
Federal Government benefits by divesting itself of land management responsibilities while generating revenue through the transaction. However, this could be criticized if the distribution of proceeds does not transparently benefit the original landholding community.
Local residents and businesses might benefit from potential new development and economic activities resulting from the land transfer. Nevertheless, they could also be adversely affected if the county faces financial strain that impacts public services or results in increased local taxation.
In conclusion, while the proposed bill presents opportunities for local economic development, careful consideration of the financial and legal implications for Mesa County and its residents is warranted to ensure equitable benefits and transparent governance.
Issues
The bill requires Mesa County to pay all costs associated with the conveyance of the land, including any necessary surveys, which could impose a significant financial burden on the County. This issue is critical as it may disproportionately favor federal financial interests over local ones. (Section 2, Subsection e)
The determination of 'fair market value' for the conveyed land relies on an independent appraisal without a mechanism for Mesa County to dispute or appeal the results, which could place the County at a disadvantage if the valuation is contested. This could have legal or financial implications. (Section 2, Subsection d)
The bill mandates that the proceeds from the land conveyance be deposited into the Federal Land Disposal Account without specifying how Mesa County or the local community might directly benefit from these funds, raising ethical and financial questions about the allocation and transparency of proceeds. (Section 2, Subsection f)
The phrase 'as soon as practicable' used for the timeline of the conveyance is vague, potentially leading to delays or extended timelines without clear accountability. This lack of specificity could be politically or legally contentious. (Section 2, Subsection b)
In the event of discrepancies between the map and legal descriptions of the land to be conveyed, the map is designated as the controlling document. This could be problematic legally, as maps are generally less precise than written legal descriptions, which might lead to disputes or errors in land conveyance. (Section 2, Subsection g)
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 first section of the bill states that it can be referred to as the "Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act" or simply the "CONVEY Act".
2. Conveyance of Federal land to Mesa County, Colorado Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the transfer of a 31.1-acre piece of federal land, known as the "Clifton parcel," to Mesa County, Colorado. To proceed, the fair market value must be determined through an independent appraisal, and Mesa County is responsible for all associated costs, with proceeds going into a Federal Land Disposal Account.