Conveyance of Specified Forest Service Property to Perry County, Arkansas

Floor Speech

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Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3187) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3187

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF SPECIFIED FOREST SERVICE PROPERTY TO PERRY COUNTY, ARKANSAS.

(a) Required Conveyance.--Subject to this section, if the County submits to the Secretary a written request for conveyance of the property described in subsection (b) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convey to the County all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property described in subsection (b).

(b) Description of Property.--

(1) In general.--The property referred to in subsection (a) is the parcel of real property, including all land and improvements, generally referred to as parcel 850-10555-001 in the urban property records of the County, consisting of approximately 0.81 acres of Forest Service land located at 1069 Fourche Avenue, Perryville, Arkansas 72126.

(2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary.

(c) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be--

(1) subject to valid existing rights;

(2) subject to reversion under subsection (g);

(3) made without consideration;

(4) made by quitclaim deed; and

(5) subject to such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

(d) Costs of Conveyance.--As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), the County shall pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of--

(1) a survey, if necessary, under subsection (b)(2);

(2) any environmental analysis or resources survey required under Federal law; and

(3) any analysis required to comply with division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``National Historic Preservation Act'').

(e) 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 property and improvements conveyed to the County under subsection (a).

(f) Public Purposes Use.--The property conveyed under subsection (a) shall be used only for public purposes, such as supporting education and youth development.

(g) Reversion.--If the property conveyed under subsection (a) ceases to be used in a manner consistent with subsection (f), the property shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.

(h) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) County.--The term ``County'' means Perry County, Arkansas.

(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

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Mr. STAUBER. 3187, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3187, led by my friend and colleague from Arkansas, Representative Hill.

This legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a vacant Forest Service building and less than 1 acre of surrounding land in Perryville, Arkansas, to Perry County.

This property has sat vacant for years, and the Forest Service has no plans for its use. In the meantime, the building has been damaged by weather and continues to decline structurally. Every year, it stays vacant, resulting in higher repair costs and increased liability for the Federal Government and taxpayers. Instead of watching this asset deteriorate, we have the chance to put it to productive use for the local community.

For more than a decade, Perry County sought to acquire this site to meet pressing needs in education, conservation, and youth development. The county intends to renovate and repurpose the building to provide a permanent home for the University of Arkansas Extension Program, the Perry County Conservation District, and 4-H youth programs. Having a dedicated facility will allow these organizations to expand their services and better support the people of Perry County.

This bill is also fiscally responsible. It will eliminate the Federal cost of maintaining an idle, deteriorating building. By transferring the site, we stop wasting resources and empower local leaders to transform a declining Federal property into a hub for education, conservation, and youth programs.

H.R. 3187 is a commonsense solution. It cuts costs, eliminates waste, and supports youth engagement in conservation. I commend Representative Hill for his championing this thoughtful legislation which will support community development in a rural county with limited resources.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R.
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Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 3187 is about turning a Federal liability into a community asset. Right now, taxpayers are stuck with the cost of a vacant building that continues to deteriorate. With this bill, we can remove that burden, transfer the property to Perry County, Arkansas, and allow local leaders to put it to work serving their community.

This legislation will provide a permanent home for programs that strengthen conservation, support farmers and landowners, and create new opportunities for young people through 4-H extension services.

It is a practical, cost-effective solution that delivers real value. I, once again, thank Representative Hill for his hard work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill today, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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