Utah State Parks Adjustment Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7332) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the State of Utah for inclusion in certain State parks, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7332
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 ``Utah State Parks Adjustment Act''. SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND TO THE STATE OF UTAH.
(a) Antelope Island State Park Conveyance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, subject to valid existing rights, without consideration, and by quitclaim deed, to the State of Utah (referred to in this section as the ``State''), for inclusion in Antelope Island State Park, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Bureau of Land Management land depicted on the map entitled ``Antelope Island State Park Proposal: Utah State Park Additions'' and dated February 28, 2023, that is identified as land proposed for conveyance on that map.
(2) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance under paragraph (1), including costs for surveys and other administrative costs, shall be paid by the State.
(b) Wasatch Mountain State Park Conveyance.--
(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, subject to valid existing rights, without consideration, and by quitclaim deed, to the State, for inclusion in Wasatch Mountain State Park, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Bureau of Land Management land depicted on the map entitled ``Wasatch Mountain State Park Proposal Utah State Park Additions'' and dated May 3, 2024, that is identified as land proposed for conveyance on that map.
(2) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance under paragraph (1), including costs for surveys and other administrative costs, shall be paid by the State.
(c) Fremont Indian State Park Conveyance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall convey, subject to valid existing rights, without consideration, and by quitclaim deed, to the State, for inclusion in Fremont Indian State Park, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to--
(A) the National Forest System land depicted on the map entitled ``S. 2136--Utah State Parks Adjustment Act'' and dated September 12, 2023, that is identified as an area selected for land transfer on that map; and
(B) any improvements to the National Forest System land described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Easements.--As a condition of the conveyance under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall reserve easements to the conveyed land for all National Forest System roads and trails that originate at, terminate at, or traverse the conveyed land.
(3) Water rights.--As a condition of the conveyance under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall convey to the State only those water rights held by the United States identified as 63-44, 63-1607, and 63-2817 in the water rights database of the Utah State Engineer that provide water to the Castle Rock Campground and the Belknap Historic Guard Station interpretive site.
(4) Survey.--
(A) In general.--If determined by the Secretary of Agriculture to be necessary, the exact acreage and legal description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed under paragraph (1) shall be determined by a survey approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) Costs.--As a condition of the conveyance under paragraph (1), the State shall pay the reasonable survey costs associated with the survey under subparagraph (A).
(5) Additional terms and conditions.--The Secretary of Agriculture may enter into an agreement with the State with respect to additional terms and conditions applicable to the conveyance under paragraph (1), including--
(A) the management and maintenance of the Belknap Historic Guard Station interpretive site;
(B) the use and maintenance of roads and trails on the conveyed parcel of National Forest System land;
(C) the continued use of permitted livestock grazing on the conveyed parcel of National Forest System land;
(D) continued Forest Service access to, and use and maintenance of, any water rights retained by the United States in the area of the conveyed parcel of National Forest System land; and
(E) any other terms and conditions necessary to clarify management and maintenance of the parcel of National Forest System land after the date of conveyance.
(d) Modifications to Maps.--For the purposes of a conveyance required by this section, the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, may make minor modifications to the applicable map described in subsection (a), (b), or (c)(1)(A) , including changes reflecting any applicable surveys conducted under this section.
(e) Use of Conveyed Land.--
(1) In general.--The State shall use any Federal land conveyed under this section for public purposes, including parks, campgrounds, recreation, and permitted livestock grazing.
(2) Reversionary interest.--If a parcel of Federal land conveyed to the State under this section ceases to be used for public purposes described in paragraph (1), the parcel shall, at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture or Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, revert to the United States.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. 7332, the bill now under consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Maloy's bill, the Utah State Parks Adjustment Act.
This legislation would transfer several parcels, totaling approximately 782 acres of Federal land, to the State of Utah for inclusion in the Utah State Parks system. The parcels included in this conveyance are currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service and are either adjacent to or comprise inholdings within the boundaries of the Utah State Parks system.
Specifically, H.R. 7332 would convey approximately 280 acres of Federal land to Antelope Island State Park to modernize an existing campground and 502 acres of Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land to Wasatch Mountain State Park and Fremont Indian State Park to expand and enhance existing trail networks.
This legislation is a win-win for Utahns and the American taxpayer. Utah's State parks are renowned for their striking beauty and plentiful attractions and for being well managed and popular. Bolstering these State parks would help produce more evenly distributed tourism and visitation patterns, preventing overcrowding at Utah's more famous national parks. This legislation will improve recreation infrastructure and public access for all local Utahns and visitors alike, helping grow Utah's outdoor recreation economy.
Federal land managers will also reap benefits from these transfers. In its statement supporting H.R. 7332, the BLM testified that the bill ``would improve manageability and dispose of isolated Federal parcels that are difficult to manage.''
I, again, commend Representative Maloy for her leadership on this important issue. Over 60 percent of Utah's land is federally owned, and conveying these properties from the Federal estate to the Utah State Parks system will improve land and natural resource management. Those changes will benefit the people of Utah and our public lands.
Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my strong support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Maloy), who is the sponsor of the bill.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. In closing, Mr. Speaker, this commonsense bill will benefit Utah State Parks and alleviate some clear land management inefficiencies on the Federal side. At its core, H.R. 7332 is an example of effective collaboration between Federal agencies, local stakeholders, and Congress.
I commend Representative Maloy for her efforts to bring these stakeholders together, and I thank her for introducing this meaningful legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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