Overview
Title
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Mesa County, Colorado, certain Federal land in Colorado, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
Mesa County in Colorado is getting some land from the government, and they have to pay for all the transfer steps, but they have to agree on the land's price with someone who isn’t picking sides.
Summary AI
H. R. 2997, also known as the “Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act” or the “CONVEY Act”, is a bill that instructs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer ownership of approximately 31.1 acres of Federal land, identified as the Clifton parcel, to Mesa County, Colorado. This transfer should happen as soon as possible, be consistent with existing rights, and be conducted at no less than fair market value according to an independent appraisal. The County is responsible for all costs related to the conveyance, and proceeds from the land transfer will be deposited into a federal account for land transactions. The bill requires a final map and legal description of the land to be made, with the map taking precedence in case of discrepancies, and both documents must be available for public inspection.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, titled the "Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act" or "CONVEY Act," aims to facilitate the transfer of a 31.1-acre parcel of federal land in Colorado, referred to as the "Clifton parcel," to Mesa County. This transaction is to be conducted at not less than fair market value, determined through an independent appraisal. The legislation also stipulates that Mesa County will bear all costs associated with the land conveyance, and proceeds from the sale will be deposited into a Federal Land Disposal Account.
General Summary of the Bill
The core objective of the bill is the conveyance of federal land to Mesa County, Colorado, which could potentially open up opportunities for economic development within the local community. The process outlined in the bill includes a mandatory independent appraisal to determine the land's fair market value, ensuring that the transaction occurs at a fair price.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from this bill. Firstly, the responsibility placed on Mesa County to cover all costs could present a financial burden, which may affect the County's financial resources and ability to execute other community projects. Additionally, while an independent appraisal will set the land's fair market value, there is no mechanism for Mesa County to dispute this appraisal, potentially limiting recourse if the County believes the valuation is not reflective of its interests.
Another issue is the vague language used regarding the timing of the conveyance. The phrase "as soon as practicable" lacks specificity, potentially causing delays that might hinder local economic initiatives planned around the land's use. Furthermore, while the proceeds of the sale are deposited in a federal account, the bill does not clarify how these funds will directly benefit Mesa County, possibly leading to concerns over an unequal return on investment for the community involved.
Lastly, the bill states that a map will be the controlling document in the event of discrepancies with the legal description. This reliance on a map could lead to potential legal challenges due to its typically less detailed nature compared to a written description, possibly resulting in boundary disputes.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
At a broader level, the public may view this bill as part of a wider effort to streamline government processes related to land transactions, potentially facilitating local economic growth by making land more available for development. On the other hand, the financial requirement placed on Mesa County could set a precedent where local governments are required to absorb significant costs in such transactions, which may or may not be sustainable or fair.
For Mesa County, specifically, this bill could present both opportunities and challenges. The acquisition of the Clifton parcel could stimulate economic activities and provide space for public projects or facilities, which might enhance community welfare. However, the financial implications associated with covering all conveyance-related costs and potentially disagreeing with the appraisal price could strain the County's budget, impacting its broader financial health and service provisions.
For federal stakeholders, depositing proceeds into a federal account ensures that funds from land conveyance can be managed and potentially redistributed according to broader federal land management and disposal policies. However, if local benefits are not clearly delineated or realized, there might be public or political pressure to revisit the allocation strategy to improve direct community impacts.
Issues
The bill mandates that Mesa County is required to pay all costs related to the conveyance of federal land, which could be a significant financial burden on the County and might prioritize federal financial interests over those of the local community. This issue is found in Section 2, subsection (e).
The determination of 'fair market value' for the Clifton parcel relies on an independent appraisal, but the bill does not provide any recourse for Mesa County to dispute or appeal the appraisal if they disagree with the valuation, potentially disadvantaging the County. This issue is found in Section 2, subsection (d).
The bill specifies that proceeds from the conveyance are to be deposited into the Federal Land Disposal Account, yet it does not clarify how these funds will directly benefit the community involved. This could lead to community concerns about the benefits of the sale not reaching their local economy. This issue is included in Section 2, subsection (f).
The language 'as soon as practicable' in Section 2, subsection (b), regarding when the conveyance should occur, is vague and could result in significant delays, affecting the timeline for the County to start development or use of the land.
The controlling use of the map over the legal description for resolving discrepancies might lead to legal challenges since maps are generally less detailed than written descriptions. This approach could potentially lead to misunderstandings or disputes over the precise boundaries of the conveyed land, which is covered in 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.