Wabeno Economic Development Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3937) to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3937
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 ``Wabeno Economic Development Act''. SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND IN THE CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST TO TONY'S WABENO REDI-MIX, LLC.
(a) Conveyance Required.--If, during the 180-day period beginning on the date of Federal approval of the appraisal under subsection (d), Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC submits to the Secretary an offer to acquire the property described in subsection (b) for market value, as determined by such appraisal, the Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after receiving such offer, convey to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC all right, title, and interest of the United States, including mineral rights, 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 depicted as ``Federal Parcel to be Conveyed'' on the Map, consisting of approximately 14 acres of National Forest System land located in the Chequamegon- Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin.
(2) Map.--
(A) Minor errors.--The Secretary may correct minor errors in the Map.
(B) Availability.--A copy of the Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate office of the Forest Service.
(3) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary.
(c) Terms and Conditions of the Conveyance.--
(1) Requirements.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall be--
(A) subject to valid existing rights;
(B) made by quitclaim deed; and
(C) subject to such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.
(2) Costs.--As a condition of the conveyance under subsection (a), Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC shall pay to the Secretary--
(A) an amount equal to the market value of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a), as determined by the appraisal under subsection (d); and
(B) all costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of--
(i) a survey, if necessary, under subsection (b)(3);
(ii) conducting the appraisal under subsection (d); and
(iii) any environmental analysis or resource survey required under Federal law.
(d) Appraisal.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 300 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an appraisal to determine the market value of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a).
(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.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Conveyance of Federal Parcel Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest'' and dated September 27, 2023.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF FEDERAL PERMITTING PROCESSES FOR STONE, SAND, AND GRAVEL DEVELOPMENT ON FEDERAL LANDS.
(a) Review.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and State permitting authorities, shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Federal permitting processes for the development of stone, sand, and gravel on Federal lands.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the entities referred to in subsection (a), shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of the Interior a report that includes--
(1) a detailed description of the current Federal permitting process for stone, sand, and gravel development, including average timelines from initial application to final approval;
(2) an analysis identifying potential inefficiencies and duplicative steps in such permitting process and the impact of such inefficiencies and duplicative steps on project timelines;
(3) the Secretary's recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to streamline such permitting process; and
(4) a summary of the economic impacts associated with current permitting timelines under such permitting process, specifically focusing on the stone, sand, and gravel sectors.
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Mr. TIFFANY. 3937, the bill now under consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Wabeno Economic Development Act. This bill will expedite the conveyance of 14 acres from the Forest Service to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, for fair market value.
Tony's is a small ready-mix company that has supplied the surrounding community with concrete for more than 25 years. The company's concrete has been used to build homes, fire and rescue buildings, shops, offices, and even barns for local farmers.
Tony's first began working with the Forest Service on a land exchange proposal more than 8 years ago. However, the agency made it clear the project was not a priority and lacked the resources to complete it.
Wabeno is located in Forest County, where roughly 50 percent of the land is federally owned and only about 10 percent of the land is fully taxable, so there is limited private land available for small business expansion.
We often talk up here about how important infrastructure is. Here is a small business that helps infrastructure projects throughout northern Wisconsin. This is a prime example of a business that helps build America. Without this parcel, Tony's Redi-Mix will run out of the necessary aggregates it needs to produce concrete in about the next 2 years.
This bill will keep this important business in operation and, with it, the 17 hardworking people it currently employs.
Wabeno is a small town with a population of just over 1,100 people. Mr. Speaker, 17 jobs may not seem like a big deal to people from the big cities, but I can assure my colleagues the jobs and economic benefits provided by this small business are critically important to this rural community.
This important conveyance will provide much-needed economic growth and jobs for people in Wabeno and Forest County. It has strong local support, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to make sure Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix stays in business for years to come.
House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, July 17, 2025. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 3937, the ``Wabeno Economic Development Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction.
The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you support such a request.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3937 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, July 17, 2025. Hon. Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding our mutual understanding of H.R. 3937, the Wabeno Economic Development Act, which was ordered report by the Committee on Natural Resources.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 3937 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman.
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Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) for her support in regard to this for the last two sessions of the Natural Resources Committee and getting this to the floor and for her help in accomplishing this.
Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that supports rural jobs, strengthens local economies, and improves how we manage our Federal lands.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3937 today. Again, I hope the Senate moves quickly to advance this important piece of legislation.
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Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
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