S. 2440

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2440 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>

Calendar No. 216
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2440

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National 
Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 24, 2025

Mrs. Hyde-Smith introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

October 27, 2025

Reported by Mr. Boozman, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National 
Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND 
CONVEYANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Alliance.--The term ``Alliance'' means the 
Scenic Rivers Development Alliance.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
Secretary of Agriculture.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Request.--Subject to the requirements of this section, 
if the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and the Secretary 
determines that it is in the public interest to convey the National 
Forest System land described in subsection (c), the Secretary shall 
convey to the Alliance all right, title, and interest of the United 
States in and to the National Forest System land described in 
subsection (c) by quitclaim deed through a public or private sale, 
including a competitive sale by auction or bid.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Description of National Forest System Land.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
National Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the approximately 137.7 acres of real 
property located in secs. 5 and 6, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., 
and sec. 31, T. 6 N., R. 4 E., Franklin County, 
Mississippi, as depicted on the map prepared for the 
Alliance by Marling Surveying, LLC, entitled ``Map of 
Survey of a 137.70 Acre Tract, a Portion of U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Forest Service Homochitto 
National Forest Tracts H-41g & H-307'', and dated 
September 16, 2024; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the approximately 173 acres of real 
property located in secs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 5 N., R. 4 
E., Franklin County, Mississippi, as depicted on the 
map prepared for the Alliance by Marling Surveying, 
LLC, entitled ``Map of Survey of a +/- 173 Acre Tract, 
a Portion of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest 
Service Homochitto National Forest Tracts H-1, H-3b, H-
41g & H-307'', and dated September 16, 2024.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal 
description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed 
under this section shall be determined by a survey satisfactory 
to the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Consideration.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The consideration for the 
conveyance of any National Forest System land under this 
section shall be--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) provided in the form of cash; 
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in an amount equal to the fair market 
value of the National Forest System land being 
conveyed, as determined under paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Fair market value determination.--The fair 
market value of the National Forest System land conveyed under 
this section shall be determined--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the case of a method of conveyance 
described in subsection (b), by an appraisal that is--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) conducted in accordance with 
the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal 
Land Acquisitions; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) approved by the Secretary; 
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in the case of a conveyance by a 
method other than a method described in subsection (b), 
by competitive sale.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under this 
section shall be subject to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) valid existing rights; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) such other terms and conditions as the 
Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests 
of the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Proceeds From Sale.--The Secretary shall deposit the 
proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land under 
this section in the fund established under Public Law 90-171 (commonly 
known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under this 
section, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the costs of any administrative or 
environmental analysis required by applicable law (including 
regulations).</DELETED>

SECTION 1. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND CONVEYANCE.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Alliance.--The term ``Alliance'' means the Scenic 
Rivers Development Alliance, an instrumentality of the State of 
Mississippi.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Agriculture.
(b) Conveyance.--Subject to the requirements of this section, not 
later than 180 days after the completion of the appraisal under 
subsection (d)(2) and the written agreement under subsection (e)(2), 
the Secretary shall convey by quitclaim deed to the Alliance all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to the surface estate 
of the National Forest System land generally described in subsection 
(c).
(c) Land to Be Conveyed.--
(1) In general.--The National Forest System land referred 
to in subsection (b) is--
(A) the approximately 137.7 acres of real property 
located in secs. 5 and 6, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., and sec. 
31, T. 6 N., R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, as 
depicted on the map prepared for the Alliance by 
Marling Surveying, LLC, entitled ``Map of Survey of a 
137.70 Acre Tract, a Portion of U.S. Department of 
Agriculture Forest Service Homochitto National Forest 
Tracts H-41g & H-307'', and dated September 16, 2024; 
and
(B) the approximately 173 acres of real property 
located in secs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 5 N., R. 4 E., 
Franklin County, Mississippi, as depicted on the map 
prepared for the Alliance by Marling Surveying, LLC, 
entitled ``Map of Survey of a +/- 173 Acre Tract, a 
Portion of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest 
Service Homochitto National Forest Tracts H-1, H-3b, H-
41g & H-307'', and dated September 16, 2024.
(2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
National Forest System land to be conveyed under this section 
shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary.
(d) Consideration.--The consideration for the conveyance of any 
National Forest System land under this section shall be--
(1) provided in the form of cash; and
(2) in an amount equal to the fair market value of the 
National Forest System land being conveyed, as determined by an 
appraisal conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal 
Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and approved by the 
Secretary.
(e) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under this section shall 
be subject to--
(1) valid existing rights;
(2) a written agreement entered into between the Secretary 
and the Alliance, under which the Alliance--
(A) agrees to cover the costs of upkeep and 
maintenance of the Okhissa Lake Dam, including the dam, 
spillway, and related water control facilities; and
(B) assumes responsibility and liability for 
compliance with all Federal and State dam safety laws 
and regulations;
(3) the reservations in the United States of easements for 
public roads and trails, including--
(A) a perpetual, nonexclusive road right-of-way 30 
feet in width for ingress and egress over all portions 
of Forest Service Road 149A within any of the conveyed 
land; and
(B) such road and trail rights-of-way as the 
Secretary may determine to be necessary or desirable to 
retain public and administrative access to Okhissa Lake 
and appurtenant National Forest System land;
(4) the reservation in the United States of all mineral 
rights, oil and gas rights, and all other subsurface rights in 
the conveyed land;
(5) a right of re-entry reserving to the Secretary the 
right to retake possession and title to the conveyed land in 
the event the land is subsequently conveyed to a nonpublic 
entity or used for purposes other than public recreation and 
fish and wildlife habitat, subject to the condition that, in 
the event the Secretary exercises such a right of re-entry, the 
Alliance shall remain liable for the abatement and clean-up of 
hazardous substances, oil, and any other contaminants;
(6) a restrictive covenant against the subdivision of the 
conveyed land into residential lots; and
(7) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary 
considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the 
United States.
(f) Proceeds From Sale.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall deposit the proceeds 
of the conveyance of any National Forest System land under this 
section in the fund established under Public Law 90-171 
(commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
(2) Use of funds.--Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) 
shall remain available until expended, without further 
appropriation, for the acquisition of land and interests in 
land for the National Forest System.
(g) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under this section, 
the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing any 
reasonable appraisal, survey, and closing costs.
(h) Environmental Laws.--The Secretary shall not be required to 
comply with National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) or any other applicable environmental law in carrying out the 
conveyance under this section.
(i) Hazardous Materials.--For purposes of the conveyance under this 
section, the Secretary--
(1) shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous 
substances, pollutants, or contaminants under section 120(h) of 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)); and
(2) shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate 
those hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
Calendar No. 216

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2440

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National 
Forest System land located in Franklin County, Mississippi, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

October 27, 2025

Reported with an amendment