Overview
Title
To amend the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 with respect to extensions, additions, and revisions to the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 4377 is a proposal to change the rules about a big piece of land in Arizona that the military uses. It wants to make this area a little bigger and give some parts to a wildlife park, like a place for animals, while also making sure these changes last until the year 2049.
Summary AI
H.R. 4377 seeks to modify the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999, specifically regarding the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona. The bill proposes extending and revising the land boundaries of the range, adding approximately 2,365.89 acres in Maricopa County, and updating maps to reflect these changes. It also revokes previous land withdrawals and reservations and transfers a mining claim to be managed as part of a wildlife refuge. Additionally, the bill changes the renewal date of the land withdrawal to October 5, 2049.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed bill, H.R. 4377, aims to amend the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 to make changes specifically related to the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona. The bill outlines several key changes including the extension and addition of land area to the range, the revocation of previous land orders, and the transfer of certain land parcels for environmental preservation.
General Summary of the Bill
This bill primarily focuses on the management and planning of military lands within the Barry M. Goldwater Range. Its main components involve increasing the land available for military use, thereby revising previous statutes. The proposed changes include expanding the range's territory by approximately 6,291 acres and introducing new mapping references that update the land descriptions. The legislation also includes provisions to reassign a mining claim to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for environmental management.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from the provisions within this bill:
Additional Land and Mapping Changes: The bill proposes an increase in the acreage of the Barry M. Goldwater Range. While the specific purposes for this increase are not elaborated, such expansions typically require justifications about the associated financial and administrative implications.
Revocation of Previous Land Orders: By revoking several public land orders and executive orders, the bill could potentially disrupt existing agreements and legal frameworks, leading to unanticipated legal and environmental challenges.
Land Transfer for Conservation: The bill transfers a mining claim to be managed as part of a national wildlife refuge, highlighting a shift toward prioritizing environmental concerns. However, this move could conflict with other land use priorities such as economic or strategic military activities.
Extension and Renewal Terms: Adjusting the withdrawal expiry date to 2049 and removing the term "initial" hints at potential automatic renewals. This change might minimize oversight and review opportunities that are typically critical for such military and environmental decisions.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broad Public Impact:
For the general public, especially residents of Arizona, this bill represents potential shifts in land use that could impact local communities. Increased land designated for military use might restrict public access, while expanded conservation areas could both preserve regional biodiversity and limit commercial development opportunities.
Positive Stakeholder Impact:
Environmental groups may view the transfer of land management to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service positively, as it promotes conservation efforts. The expansion of protected lands aligns with conservation goals and enhances ecological preservation.
Negative Stakeholder Impact:
For local and state government entities, the lack of clarity regarding the implications of land increases may raise concerns about resource allocation without clear benefits or purposes outlined in the bill. Additionally, military and commercial interests may encounter conflicts as priorities shift towards conservation.
Overall, while this bill reflects efforts to update and manage military lands prudently, the lack of detailed justification for certain changes could lead to uncertainty among various stakeholders. Balancing military, environmental, and public interests is crucial to its long-term success and acceptance.
Issues
The amendment to Section 3031(a)(3) involves an increase of land area from approximately 1,650,200 acres to 1,656,491.94 acres, as well as an addition of 2,365.89 acres in Maricopa County, Arizona. The implications of these land increases, in terms of financial cost and administrative burden, lack clear justification, which raises potential concerns about resource allocation and oversight. (Section 1(a))
The complete revocation of previous land withdrawals and reservations, particularly Public Land Order Nos. 56 and 97 and Executive Order Nos. 8892, 9104, and 9215, could lead to unforeseen legal or environmental consequences that the bill does not address, potentially challenging existing land use precedents. (Section 1(b)(4))
The transfer of the Legal Tender mining claim to be managed as part of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge could prioritize environmental conservation over other land uses. This decision might require additional explanation or justification concerning how it balances environmental protection with other potential interests such as military or commercial use. (Section 1(b)(4)(B))
Using the term 'as-is' for the condition of land transfer (Legal Tender mining claim) might result in disputes over responsibility for current or pre-existing environmental conditions on that land, creating potential legal conflicts. (Section 1(b)(4)(B))
Changing the date of renewal for land withdrawal to October 5, 2049, and striking the term "initial" in Section 3031 without rationale could imply an intention for automatic renewals, diminishing oversight and accountability over time. (Sections 1(c) & 1(d))
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. Extensions, additions, and revisions to the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 relating to Barry M. Goldwater Range Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines updates to the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 concerning the Barry M. Goldwater Range. It includes the extension and addition of land to the range, revokes certain public land orders and executive orders, transfers a mining claim to the Fish and Wildlife Service, sets a new expiration date for the withdrawal, and removes the term "initial" from renewal and extension clauses.