Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act
Floor Speech
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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1638) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain National Forest System land to the State of South Dakota, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1638
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to approximately 266 acres of National Forest System land within the Gilt Edge Mine Superfund Boundary, as generally depicted on the map.
(2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act'' and dated August 20, 2020.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means State of South Dakota. SEC. 3. LAND CONVEYANCE.
(a) In General.--Subject to the terms and conditions described in this Act, if the State submits to the Secretary an offer to acquire the Federal land for the market value, as determined by the appraisal under subsection (c), the Secretary shall convey the Federal land to the State.
(b) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be--
(1) subject to valid existing rights;
(2) made by quitclaim deed; and
(3) subject to any other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.
(c) Appraisal.--
(1) In general.--After the State submits an offer under subsection (a), the Secretary shall complete an appraisal to determine the market value of the Federal land.
(2) Standards.--The appraisal under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with--
(A) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and
(B) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
(d) Map.--
(1) Availability of map.--The map shall be kept on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate office of the Forest Service.
(2) Correction of errors.--The Secretary may correct any errors in the map.
(e) Consideration.--As consideration for the conveyance under subsection (a), the State shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the market value of the Federal land, as determined by the appraisal under subsection (c).
(f) Survey.--The State shall prepare a survey that is satisfactory to the Secretary of the exact acreage and legal description of the Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (a).
(g) Costs of Conveyance.--As a condition on the conveyance under subsection (a), the State shall pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of--
(1) the appraisal under subsection (c); and
(2) the survey under subsection (f).
(h) Proceeds From the Sale of Land.--Any proceeds received by the Secretary from the conveyance under subsection (a) shall be--
(1) deposited in the fund established under Public Law 90- 171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a); and
(2) available to the Secretary, only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts, for the maintenance and improvement of land or administration facilities in the Black Hills National Forest in the State.
(i) Environmental Conditions.--Notwithstanding section 120(h)(3)(A) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)(3)(A)), the Secretary shall not be required to provide any covenant or warranty for the Federal land conveyed to the State under this Act. SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1638, the Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act, introduced by my colleague, Representative Johnson.
The bill will authorize South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Lawrence County, South Dakota.
Any proceeds received by the Forest Service from the conveyance will be deposited in a fund for the maintenance and improvement of the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
Mr. Speaker, the conveyance is necessary due to the Gilt Edge Mine, which is located within the Black Hills forestry boundary. Since Brohm Mining Company abandoned the mine and its responsibilities to address contaminated water in the late 1990s, South Dakota and the Environmental Protection Agency have worked together to conduct a cleanup effort of the mine and contaminated water.
Mr. Speaker, currently, the mine encompasses a patchwork of Forest Service lands and lands owned by South Dakota. Consolidating ownership of the entire Gilt Edge Mine with South Dakota will make it easier for the State to fulfill its obligation for site remediation and monitoring.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my good colleague, Representative Johnson, for introducing this important legislation and championing this bill on behalf of his constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1638, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time.
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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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