This bill provides for the continuation of certain military land withdrawals and makes changes to the administration of natural resources on military installations.
The bill removes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the acting agency that provides for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations, except in the case of a military installation or state-owned National Guard installation in Alaska.
Each integrated natural resources management plan for a military installation or state-owned National Guard installation outside Alaska must be reviewed (1) jointly by the military department concerned and the Department of the Interior, and (2) in a manner that provides affected states and Indian tribes and the public an opportunity to comment on any significant revisions to the plan that may be proposed.
The bill eliminates the withdrawal termination date for lands including (1) the El Centro Naval Air Facility in California, (2) the Juniper Butte military range in Idaho, (3) the Barry M. Goldwater military range in Arizona, and (4) the Fort Irwin military land withdrawal in California.
The land withdrawals for the Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright military training ranges in Alaska shall be terminated on November 6, 2026.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2945 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2945
To provide for the indefinite duration of certain military land
withdrawals, to improve the management of lands currently subject to
such withdrawals, to make the management of such lands more
transparent, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2019
Mr. Bishop of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the indefinite duration of certain military land
withdrawals, to improve the management of lands currently subject to
such withdrawals, to make the management of such lands more
transparent, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. INDEFINITE DURATION OF CERTAIN MILITARY LAND WITHDRAWALS AND
RESERVATIONS AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF WITHDRAWN AND
RESERVED LANDS.
(a) Improving Management of Current Statutory Land Withdrawals and
Reservations and Making Management More Transparent.--
(1) Role of secretary of the interior.--Section 101(a)(2)
of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a(a)(2)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``, acting through the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``In the case of a military installation or
State-owned National Guard installation in Alaska,
cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior under
this paragraph shall be obtained through the Director
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.''.
(2) Additional element of integrated natural resources
management plan.--Section 101(b) of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C.
670a(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(2);
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following
new paragraph:
``(3) for purposes of paragraph (2), except in the case of
a military installation or State-owned National Guard
installation in Alaska, shall be reviewed--
``(A) jointly by the Secretary of the military
department and the Secretary of the Interior; and
``(B) in a manner that provides affected States and
Indian tribes and the public a meaningful opportunity
to comment on any significant revisions to the plan
that may be proposed; and''.
(b) El Centro Naval Air Facility Ranges.--
(1) Elimination of termination date and conforming
amendments.--The El Centro Naval Air Facility Ranges Withdrawal
Act (subtitle B of title XXIX of Public Law 104-201; 110 Stat.
2813) is amended--
(A) in section 2921(b)(3), by striking ``, before
the termination date specified in section 2925,'';
(B) in section 2924(a), by striking the third
sentence;
(C) by striking sections 2925 and 2927; and
(D) in section 2928(a), by striking ``specified in
section 2925''.
(2) Determination of continuing military need for
withdrawal and reservation and public reports.--The El Centro
Naval Air Facility Ranges Withdrawal Act (subtitle B of title
XXIX of Public Law 104-201; 110 Stat. 2813) is further amended
by inserting after section 2926 the following new section:
``SEC. 2927. DETERMINATION OF CONTINUING MILITARY NEED FOR WITHDRAWAL
AND RESERVATION AND PUBLIC REPORTS.
``(a) Public Reports.--
``(1) Changes in land conditions.--(A) Concurrent with each
review as to operation and effect of an integrated natural
resources management plan covering lands withdrawn and reserved
under this title, as required by section 101(b)(2) of the Sikes
Act (16 U.S.C. 670a(b)(2)), the Secretary of the Navy and the
Secretary of the Interior shall jointly prepare and issue a
report describing any changes in the condition of the lands
withdrawn and reserved under this subtitle since the later of
the date of any previous report under this paragraph or the
date of the environmental analysis prepared to support the
actions that changed the condition of the lands.
``(B) A report under subparagraph (A) shall include a
summary of current military use of the lands withdrawn and
reserved under this subtitle, any changes in military use of
the lands since the previous report, and efforts related to the
management of natural and cultural resources and environmental
remediation of the lands during the previous five years.
``(2) Combination with other reports.--A report under this
subsection may be combined with, or incorporate by reference,
any contemporary report required by any other provision of law
regarding the lands withdrawn and reserved under this subtitle.
``(3) Public review and comment.--(A) Before the
finalization of a report under this subsection, the Secretary
of the Navy and the Secretary of the Interior shall invite
interested members of the public to review and comment on the
report, and shall hold at least one public meeting concerning
the report in a location or locations reasonably accessible to
persons who may be affected by management of the lands
withdrawn and reserved under this subtitle.
``(B) Each public meeting under subparagraph (A) shall be
announced not less than 15 days before the date of the meeting
by advertisements in local newspapers of general circulation,
notices on the internet, including the website of El Centro,
and any other means considered necessary or desirable by the
Secretaries.
``(4) Distribution of report.--The Secretary of the Navy
shall make the final version of a report under this subsection
available to the public and shall submit the final version of
such a report to the Committees on Armed Services and Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Armed
Services and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
``(b) Determination of Continuing Military Need.--With each report
prepared pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of the Navy shall
attach the Secretary's determination regarding whether there will be a
continuing military need for any or all the withdrawn and reserved
lands for the following 5 years.''.
(c) Juniper Butte Range.--
(1) Elimination of termination date and conforming
amendments.--The Juniper Butte Range Withdrawal Act (title XXIX
of Public Law 105-261; 112 Stat. 2226) is amended--
(A) in section 2915--
(i) in the section heading, by striking
``Duration'' and inserting ``Relinquishment'';
(ii) in subsection (a), by striking
``Termination.--'' and all that follows through
``At the time of termination'' and inserting
``Effect of Relinquishment on Operation of
General Land Laws.--Upon relinquishment of
Department of the Air Force jurisdiction over
lands withdrawn and reserved by this title'';
(iii) in subsection (b)--
(I) in the subsection heading, by
inserting ``Process'' after
``Relinquishment'';
(II) in paragraph (1), by striking
``under subsection (c)''; and
(III) in paragraph (3), by striking
``before the date of termination, as
provided for in subsection (a)(1)'';
and
(iv) by striking subsection (c); and
(B) in section 2916--
(i) in the section heading, by striking
``or upon termination of withdrawal'';
(ii) in subsection (a)(1), by striking
``and in all cases not later than 2 years
before the date of termination of withdrawal
and reservation,'';
(iii) in subsection (b), by striking
``environmental remediation'' and all that
follows through the end of the subsection and
inserting ``environmental remediation before
relinquishing, to the Secretary of the
Interior, jurisdiction over any lands
identified in a notice of intent to relinquish
under section 2915(b).''; and
(iv) in subsection (d)--
(I) in the subsection heading, by
striking ``Terminates'' and inserting
``Relinquished'';
(II) by striking ``termination
date'' both places it appears and
inserting ``relinquishment date''; and
(III) in paragraph (2), by striking
``termination'' and inserting
``relinquishment''.
(2) Determinations of continuing military need for
withdrawal and reservation and public reports.--Section 2909 of
the Juniper Butte Range Withdrawal Act (title XXIX of Public
Law 105-261; 112 Stat. 2230) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
``(d) Public Reports.--
``(1) Changes in land conditions.--(A) Concurrent with each
review of an integrated natural resources management plan
developed under this section, the Secretary of the Air Force
and the Secretary of the Interior shall jointly prepare and
issue a report describing any changes in the condition of the
lands withdrawn and reserved by this title since the later of
the date of any previous report under this paragraph or the
date of the environmental analysis prepared to support the
actions that changed the condition of the lands.
``(B) A report under subparagraph (A) shall include a
summary of current military use of the lands withdrawn and
reserved by this title, any changes in military use of the
lands since the previous report, and efforts related to the
management of natural and cultural resources and environmental
remediation of the lands during the previous 5 years.
``(2) Combination with other reports.--A report under this
subsection may be combined with, or incorporate by reference,
any contemporary report required by any other provision of law
regarding the lands withdrawn and reserved by this title.
``(3) Public review and comment.--(A) Before the
finalization of a report under this subsection, the Secretary
of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Interior shall invite
interested members of the public to review and comment on the
report, and shall hold at least one public meeting concerning
the report in a location or locations reasonably accessible to
persons who may be affected by management of the lands
withdrawn and reserved by this title.
``(B) Each public meeting under subparagraph (A) shall be
announced not less than 15 days before the date of the meeting
by advertisements in local newspapers of general circulation,
notices on the internet, including the website of the Juniper
Butte Range (if one exists), and any other means considered
necessary or desirable by the Secretaries.
``(4) Determination of continuing military need.--With each
report prepared pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary of
the Air Force shall attach the Secretary's determination
regarding whether there will be a continuing military need for
any or all the withdrawn and reserved lands for the following 5
years.
``(5) Distribution of report.--The Secretary of the Air
Force shall make the final version of a report under this
subsection available to the public and shall submit the final
version of such a report to the Committees on Armed Services
and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the
Committees on Armed Services and Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.''.
(d) Ranges Covered by Subtitle A of Military Lands Withdrawal Act
of 1999.--
(1) Elimination of termination date and conforming
amendments.--The Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 (title
XXX of Public Law 106-65; 113 Stat. 885) is amended--
(A) in section 3015--
(i) by striking subsection (a) and
inserting the following new subsection:
``(a) Termination of Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright Withdrawal and
Reservation.--The withdrawal and reservation of lands by section
3011(c) shall terminate on November 6, 2026.'';
(B) in section 3016--
(i) by striking ``this subtitle'' each
place it appears (other than the second place
it appears in subsection (c)) and inserting
``section 3011(c)'';
(ii) in subsection (c), by striking ``this
subtitle'' the second place it appears and
inserting ``section 3015''; and
(iii) in subsection (d), by striking ``by
section 3011'' and inserting ``under such
section'';
(C) by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 3024. RELINQUISHMENT OF CERTAIN LANDS.
``(a) Notice of Intent Regarding Relinquishment.--
``(1) General rule.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
if the Secretary of the military department concerned decides
to relinquish all or any of the lands withdrawn and reserved by
section 3011, such Secretary shall transmit a notice of intent
to relinquish such lands to the Secretary of the Interior.
``(2) Exception.--This section does not apply to the lands
withdrawn and reserved in Alaska by section 3011(c).
``(b) Opening Date.--On the date of relinquishment of the
withdrawal and reservation of lands withdrawn and reserved by section
3011, such lands shall not be open to any form of appropriation under
the public land laws, including the mineral laws and the mineral
leasing and geothermal leasing laws, until the Secretary of the
Interior publishes in the Federal Register an appropriate order stating
the date upon which such lands shall be restored to the public domain
and opened.''; and
(D) in section 3017, by striking ``section
3016(d)'' each place it appears and inserting ``section
3016(d) or 3024''.
(2) Establishment of intergovernmental executive
committees.--Section 3014 of the Military Lands Withdrawal Act
of 1999 (title XXX of Public Law 106-65; 113 Stat. 890) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Intergovernmental Executive Committees.--
``(1) Establishment and purpose.--(A) Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), for the lands withdrawn and reserved by
section 3011, the Secretary of the military department
concerned and the Secretary of the Interior shall establish, by
memorandum of understanding, an intergovernmental executive
committee for each range for the sole purpose of exchanging
views, information, and advice relating to the management of
the natural and cultural resources of the withdrawn and
reserved lands.
``(B) This subsection does not apply to the lands withdrawn
and reserved in Alaska by section 3011(c).
``(2) Composition.--(A) The Secretary of the military
department concerned and the Secretary of the Interior shall
include representatives from interested Federal agencies as
members of the intergovernmental executive committee for a
range.
``(B) The Secretary of the military department concerned
and the Secretary of the Interior shall invite to serve as
members of the intergovernmental executive committee for a
range--
``(i) at least one elected officer (or other
authorized representative) from the government of the
State in which the withdrawn and reserved lands are
located; and
``(ii) at least one elected officer (or other
authorized representative) from each local government
and Indian tribal government in the vicinity of the
withdrawn and reserved lands, as determined by the
Secretaries.
``(3) Operation.--The intergovernmental executive committee
for a range shall operate in accordance with the terms set
forth in the memorandum of understanding.
``(4) Procedures.--The memorandum of understanding for a
range shall establish procedures for creating a forum for
exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the
management of natural and cultural resources on the withdrawn
and reserved lands, procedures for rotating the chair of the
intergovernmental executive committee, and procedures for
scheduling regular meetings, which shall occur no less
frequently than twice a year.
``(5) Coordinator.--The Secretary of the military
department concerned, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, shall appoint an individual to serve as coordinator
of the intergovernmental executive committee for a range. The
duties of the coordinator shall be included in the memorandum
of understanding. The coordinator shall not be a member of the
committee.''.
(3) Determination of continuing military need for
withdrawal and reservation and public reports.--The Military
Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 (title XXX of Public Law 106-65;
113 Stat. 885), as amended by paragraph (1)(C), is further
amended by inserting after section 3024 the following new
section:
``SEC. 3025. DETERMINATION OF CONTINUING MILITARY NEED FOR WITHDRAWAL
AND RESERVATION AND PUBLIC REPORTS.
``(a) Public Reports.--
``(1) Changes in land conditions.--(A) Concurrent with each
review as to operation and effect of an integrated natural
resources management plan covering lands withdrawn and reserved
under this title, as required by section 101(b)(2) of the Sikes
Act (16 U.S.C. 670a(b)(2)), the Secretary of the military
department concerned and the Secretary of the Interior shall
jointly prepare and issue a report describing any changes in
the condition of the lands withdrawn and reserved under this
subtitle since the later of the date of any previous report
under this paragraph or the date of the environmental analysis
prepared to support the actions that changed the condition of
the lands.
``(B) A report under subparagraph (A) shall include a
summary of current military use of the lands covered by the
plan, any changes in military use of the lands since the
previous report, and efforts related to the management of
natural and cultural resources and environmental remediation of
the lands during the previous five years.
``(2) Combination with other reports.--A report under this
subsection may be combined with, or incorporate by reference,
any contemporary report required by any other provision of law
regarding the lands covered by the integrated natural resources
management plan.
``(3) Public review and comment.--(A) Before the
finalization of a report under this subsection, the Secretary
of the military department concerned and the Secretary of the
Interior shall invite interested members of the public to
review and comment on the report, and shall hold at least one
public meeting concerning the report in a location or locations
reasonably accessible to persons who may be affected by
management of the lands addressed by the report.
``(B) Each public meeting under subparagraph (A) shall be
announced not less than 15 days before the date of the meeting
by advertisements in local newspapers of general circulation,
notices on the internet, including the website of the affected
military range (if one exists), and any other means considered
necessary or desirable by the Secretaries.
``(4) Distribution of report.--The Secretary of the
military department concerned shall make the final version of a
report under this subsection available to the public and shall
submit the final version of such a report to the Committees on
Armed Services and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate
and the Committees on Armed Services and Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives.
``(b) Determination of Continuing Military Need.--With each report
prepared pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of the military
department concerned shall attach the Secretary's determination
regarding whether there will be a continuing military need for any or
all of the withdrawn and reserved lands for the following 5 years.
``(c) Exception.--This section does not apply to the lands
withdrawn and reserved in Alaska by section 3011(c).''.
(e) Barry M. Goldwater Range.--
(1) Elimination of termination date and conforming
amendments.--Section 3031 of the Military Lands Withdrawal Act
of 1999 (title XXX of Public Law 106-65; 113 Stat. 897) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (c)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``,
including the duration of any renewal or
extension'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) in the paragraph heading, by
striking ``or termination''; and
(II) in subparagraph (C), by
striking the last sentence; and
(iii) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``or
termination''; and
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``Duration'' and
all that follows through ``of the termination'' and
inserting ``Effect of Relinquishment on Operation of
General Land Laws.--On the date of relinquishment'';
(C) by striking subsection (e); and
(D) in subsection (f)--
(i) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Termination and'';
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``but
not later than three years before the
termination of the withdrawal and
reservation,'';
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking
``before the termination date of the withdrawal
and reservation of such lands under this
section''; and
(iv) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking
``Notwithstanding the termination date,
unless'' and inserting ``Unless''.
(2) Determinations of continuing military need for
withdrawal and reservation.--Section 3031 of the Military Lands
Withdrawal Act of 1999 (title XXX of Public Law 106-65; 113
Stat. 897), as amended by paragraph (1), is further amended by
inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:
``(e) Determination of Continuing Military Need.--With each report
prepared pursuant to subsection (b)(5), the Secretary of the Navy and
the Secretary of the Air Force shall attach the Secretary's
determination regarding whether there will be a continuing military
need for any or all the withdrawn and reserved lands for the following
5 years.''.
(3) Use of definitions.--Section 3031(c)(5) of the Military
Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 (title XXX of Public Law 106-65;
113 Stat. 907) is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following:
``(A) The term `military munitions' has the meaning
given that term in section 101(e)(4) of title 10,
United States Code.
``(B) The term `unexploded ordnance' has the
meaning given that term in section 101(e)(5) of such
title.''.
(f) National Training Center.--
(1) Elimination of termination date and conforming
amendments.--The Fort Irwin Military Land Withdrawal Act of
2001 (title XXIX of Public Law 107-107; 115 Stat. 1335) is
amended--
(A) in section 2910, by striking the section
heading and all that follows through ``At the time of
the termination'' and inserting the following:
``SEC. 2910. EFFECT OF RELINQUISHMENT ON OPERATION OF GENERAL LAND
LAWS.
``On the date of relinquishment'';
(B) by striking section 2911; and
(C) in section 2912--
(i) in the section heading, by striking
``Termination and'';
(ii) in subsection (a), by striking
``During the first 22 years of the withdrawal
and reservation made by this title, if'' and
inserting ``If'';
(iii) in subsection (c), by striking
``before the termination date of the withdrawal
and reservation''; and
(iv) in subsection (d), by striking
``Notwithstanding the termination date
specified in section 2910, unless'' and
inserting ``Unless''.
(2) Determination of continuing military need for
withdrawal and reservation and public reports.--The Fort Irwin
Military Land Withdrawal Act of 2001 (title XXIX of Public Law
107-107; 115 Stat. 1335) is further amended by inserting after
section 2910 the following new section:
``SEC. 2911. DETERMINATION OF CONTINUING MILITARY NEED FOR WITHDRAWAL
AND RESERVATION AND PUBLIC REPORTS.
``(a) Public Reports.--
``(1) Changes in land conditions.--(A) Concurrent with each
review as to operation and effect of an integrated natural
resources management plan covering lands withdrawn and reserved
under this title, as required by section 101(b)(2) of the Sikes
Act (16 U.S.C. 670a(b)(2)), the Secretary of the Army and the
Secretary of the Interior shall jointly prepare and issue a
report describing any changes in the condition of the lands
withdrawn and reserved under this title since the later of the
date of any previous report under this paragraph or the date of
the environmental analysis prepared to support the actions that
changed the condition of the lands.
``(B) A report under subparagraph (A) shall include a
summary of current military use of the lands withdrawn and
reserved by this title, any changes in military use of the
lands since the previous report, and efforts related to the
management of natural and cultural resources and environmental
remediation of the lands during the previous five years.
``(2) Combination with other reports.--A report under this
subsection may be combined with, or incorporate by reference,
any contemporary report required by any other provision of law
regarding the lands withdrawn and reserved by this title.
``(3) Public review and comment.--(A) Before the
finalization of a report under this subsection, the Secretary
of the Army and the Secretary of the Interior shall invite
interested members of the public to review and comment on the
report, and shall hold at least one public meeting concerning
the report in a location or locations reasonably accessible to
persons who may be affected by management of the lands
withdrawn and reserved by this title.
``(B) Each public meeting under subparagraph (A) shall be
announced not less than 15 days before the date of the meeting
by advertisements in local newspapers of general circulation,
notices on the internet, including the website of National
Training Center, and any other means considered necessary or
desirable by the Secretaries.
``(4) Distribution of report.--The Secretary of the Army
shall make the final version of a report under this subsection
available to the public and shall submit the final version of
such a report to the Committees on Armed Services and Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Armed
Services and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
``(b) Periodic Determination of Continuing Need.--With each report
prepared pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall
attach the Secretary's determination regarding whether there will be a
continuing military need for any or all of the withdrawn and reserved
lands for the following 5 years.''.
(3) Establishment of intergovernmental executive
committee.--The Fort Irwin Military Land Withdrawal Act of 2001
(title XXIX of Public Law 107-107; 115 Stat. 1335) is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 2914. INTERGOVERNMENTAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary of the Army and the
Secretary of the Interior shall establish, by memorandum of
understanding, an intergovernmental executive committee for the sole
purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the
management of the natural and cultural resources of the lands withdrawn
and reserved by this title.
``(b) Composition.--
``(1) Representatives of other federal agencies.--The
Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Interior shall
include representatives from interested Federal agencies as
members of the intergovernmental executive committee.
``(2) Representatives of state and local governments.--The
Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Interior shall
invite to serve as members of the intergovernmental executive
committee--
``(A) at least one elected officer (or other
authorized representative) from the government of the
State of California; and
``(B) at least one elected officer (or other
authorized representative) from each local government
and Indian tribal government in the vicinity of the
withdrawn and reserved lands, as determined by the
Secretaries.
``(c) Operation.--The intergovernmental executive committee shall
operate in accordance with the terms set forth in the memorandum of
understanding under subsection (a).
``(d) Procedures.--The memorandum of understanding under subsection
(a) shall establish procedures for creating a forum for exchanging
views, information, and advice relating to the management of natural
and cultural resources on the lands withdrawn and reserved by this
title, procedures for rotating the chair of the intergovernmental
executive committee, and procedures for scheduling regular meetings,
which shall occur no less frequently than twice a year.
``(e) Coordinator.--The Secretary of the Army, in consultation with
the Secretary of the Interior, shall appoint an individual to serve as
coordinator of the intergovernmental executive committee. The duties of
the coordinator shall be included in the memorandum of understanding
under subsection (a). The coordinator shall not be a member of the
committee.''.
(g) Ranges Covered by Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013.--
(1) Elimination of termination date and conforming
amendments.--The Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 (title
XXIX of Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 1025) is amended--
(A) by striking sections 2919, 2920, 2936, 2946,
and 2979;
(B) in section 2921, by striking ``On the
termination of'' and inserting ``On the relinquishment
of''; and
(C) in section 2922(d)(3)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``on termination'' and inserting ``upon
relinquishment''; and
(ii) by striking ``or if at the expiration
of the withdrawal and reservation,''.
(2) Establishment of intergovernmental executive
committee.--The Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 (title
XXIX of Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 1025) is further amended
by inserting after section 2918 the following new section:
``SEC. 2919. INTERGOVERNMENTAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--For the lands withdrawn and
reserved by sections 2941 and 2971, the Secretary concerned and the
Secretary of the Interior shall establish, by memorandum of
understanding, an intergovernmental executive committee for each
location for the sole purpose of exchanging views, information, and
advice relating to the management of the natural and cultural resources
of the withdrawn and reserved lands.
``(b) Composition.--
``(1) Representatives of other federal agencies.--The
Secretary concerned and the Secretary of the Interior shall
include representatives from interested Federal agencies as
members of the intergovernmental executive committee for a
location covered by subsection (a).
``(2) Representatives of state and local governments.--The
Secretary concerned and the Secretary of the Interior shall
invite to serve as members of the intergovernmental executive
committee for a location covered by subsection (a)--
``(A) at least one elected officer (or other
authorized representative) from the government of the
State in which the withdrawn and reserved lands are
located; and
``(B) at least one elected officer (or other
authorized representative) from each local government
and Indian tribal government in the vicinity of the
withdrawn and reserved lands, as determined by the
Secretaries.
``(c) Operation.--The intergovernmental executive committee for a
location covered by subsection (a) shall operate in accordance with the
terms set forth in the memorandum of understanding under subsection
(a).
``(d) Procedures.--The memorandum of understanding under subsection
(a) shall establish procedures for creating a forum for exchanging
views, information, and advice relating to the management of natural
and cultural resources on the withdrawn and reserved lands, procedures
for rotating the chair of the intergovernmental executive committee,
and procedures for scheduling regular meetings, which shall occur no
less frequently than twice a year.
``(e) Coordinator.--The Secretary concerned, in consultation with
the Secretary of the Interior, shall appoint an individual to serve as
coordinator of the intergovernmental executive committee for a location
covered by subsection (a). The duties of the coordinator shall be
included in the memorandum of understanding under subsection (a). The
coordinator shall not be a member of the committee.''.
(h) Requests for Withdrawals Made to Secretary of the Interior;
Temporary Use Permits and Transfers of Small Parcels of Land Between
Departments of Interior and Military Departments; More Efficient
Surveying of Lands.--
(1) Requiring requests for withdrawals to be made to
secretary of the interior.--Section 3 of Public Law 85-337 (43
U.S.C. 157) is amended--
(A) by striking ``Any application'' and inserting
``(a) Contents of Application.--Any application''; and
(B) by striking ``shall specify'' and inserting
``shall be filed with the Secretary of the Interior and
shall specify''.
(2) Authorization of additional arrangements for use and
transfer of lands under jurisdiction of secretary of the
interior.--The Public Law 85-337 (43 U.S.C. 155 et seq.) is
further amended by adding at the end the following new
sections:
``SEC. 7. SHORT-TERM PERMITS FOR USE OF DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR LANDS
FOR MILITARY TRAINING AND TESTING.
``(a) Authority.--In addition to any other authority to grant
permits for the use of land, the Secretary of the Interior may grant a
permit to the Secretary of Defense to use land under the administrative
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior. Any such permit--
``(1) shall be issued consistent with section 2691 of title
10, United States Code;
``(2) shall allow the Department of Defense to use the land
only for purposes of training and testing that are consistent
with the purposes for which the Secretary of the Interior
manages the land; and
``(3) may contain such other requirements as the Secretary
of the Interior considers appropriate.
``(b) Duration of Permit.--A permit granted under this section
shall be in effect for such period as the Secretary of the Interior may
provide, except that such period may not exceed 30 days.
``SEC. 8. TRANSFERS OF SMALL PARCELS OF LAND BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENTS OF
DEFENSE AND INTERIOR.
``(a) Transfer Authorized.--Subject to any valid existing rights,
upon mutual agreement, and without cost for the value of the land or
any improvements thereon--
``(1) the Secretary of the Interior may transfer
administrative jurisdiction over land that meets the
requirements of subsection (b) to the Secretary of a military
department; and
``(2) the Secretary of a military department may transfer
administrative jurisdiction over land that meets the
requirements of subsection (b) to the Secretary of the
Interior.
``(b) Requirements for Land Eligible for Transfer.--The
requirements of this subsection are as follows:
``(1) Contiguity.--The land is contiguous to land already
under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary to whom
such jurisdiction is transferred.
``(2) Limitation on acreage.--No single parcel of the land
is larger than 5,000 acres of contiguous area.
``(3) No recent prior transfer of contiguous land.--The
land is not contiguous to any other land for which
administrative jurisdiction has been transferred under the
authority of this section during the previous 5 years.
``(4) Prior use for defense purposes.--In the case of land
transferred to the Department of Defense, the land was used for
defense purposes immediately prior to the date of transfer.
``(c) Map and Legal Description.--
``(1) Preparation and publication.--The Secretary of the
Interior shall--
``(A) publish in the Federal Register a notice
containing the legal description of any land
transferred under subsection (a);
``(B) file maps and legal descriptions of the land
with--
``(i) the Committees on Armed Services and
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and
``(ii) the Committees on Armed Services and
Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives; and
``(C) make copies of such maps and legal
descriptions available for public inspection in the
appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.
``(2) Force of law.--For purposes of any transfer of
administrative jurisdiction over land under this section, the
legal description and map for the land shall be the legal
description of the land filed under paragraph (1)(B), except
that the Secretary of the Interior may correct clerical and
typographical errors in the legal description or map.
``(3) Costs.--The Secretary of the military department to
whom administrative jurisdiction over land is transferred under
subsection (a)(1) shall reimburse the Secretary of the Interior
for the costs incurred by the Secretary of the Interior in
implementing this subsection with respect to such land.
``(d) Treatment and Use of Land Transferred to the Secretary of a
Military Department.--Upon a transfer of administrative jurisdiction
over land to the Secretary of a military department under subsection
(a)(1)--
``(1) the land shall be treated as property (as defined in
section 102(9) of title 40, United States Code) under the
administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the military
department; and
``(2) for as long as the land is under the administrative
jurisdiction of a Secretary of a military department, the land
shall be withdrawn from--
``(A) all forms of entry, appropriation, or
disposition under the public land laws,
``(B) location, entry, and patent under the mining
laws, and
``(C) disposition under all laws relating to
mineral materials and all laws relating to mineral and
geothermal leasing.
``(e) Treatment and Use of Land Transferred to the Secretary of the
Interior.--Upon a transfer of administrative jurisdiction over land to
the Secretary of the Interior under subsection (a)(2)--
``(1) the land shall become public land; and
``(2) the land shall be administered for the same purposes
and be subject to the same conditions of use as the adjacent
public land.
``(f) Effect on Other Authorities.--The authority provided by this
section is in addition to, and not subject to, any other authority
relating to transfers of land.''.
(3) Short title.--The first section of Public Law 85-337
(43 U.S.C. 155) is amended--
(A) by striking ``That, notwithstanding'' and
inserting the following:
``SEC. 1. WITHDRAWAL, RESERVATION, OR RESTRICTION OF PUBLIC LANDS FOR
DEFENSE PURPOSES.
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(b) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the `Engle Act'.''.
(4) Promoting more efficient surveying of lands.--In fixing
the original corner position in an official survey of
unsurveyed land, when applicable and feasible, Cadastral Survey
may, instead of using physical monuments, use geographic
coordinates correlated to the National Spatial Reference System
geodetic datum, in accordance with the Manual of Surveying
Instructions.
(i) Effect on New Land Withdrawals and Reservations.--Nothing in
this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed
as changing the requirements imposed on the Department of Defense to
obtain a new or expanded land withdrawal and reservation.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
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