S2205DEC8

This land ownership change takes place in the Oahe Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin in South Dakota. Individuals that have owned a lease on the properties in question as of January 1, 2001 are given the option of buying the land they lease. The land was originally purchased by the Bureau of reclamation for use in connection with the Blunt Reservoir or the Pierre Canal elements of the basin project.

The Blunt reservoir project is de-authorized in this bill and the State has the option of accepting any liability accruing after the date of conveyance including liabilities regarding expired easements, or rights granted.

Leaseholders may continue the lease or make a cash purchase with a 10% installment deposit and the remainder to be paid for up to 30 years at 3% interest unless the value of the land is under $10,000 thereby requiring a cash payment.

The price of the parcels is set at fair market minus 25% to reflect improvements made by the leaseholders.

Next year the Bureau is authorized to convey to South Dakota and non-preferential leased parcels of unleased parcels. Those with property elsewhere may trade that property of a non-preferential or unleased parcel in the Blunt Reservoir area.

Sponsor: Senator John Thune (R-SD)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent December 7, 2006. Passed House by voice vote December 9, 2006.

Cost to the taxpayers: $750,000 to reimburse the Secretary of Interior for expenses incurred in implementing this Act.

No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)