HR1129NOV17

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending November 17, 2006

H.R.1129 To authorize the exchange of certain land in the State of Colorado.

The bill aims to authorize and facilitate a land exchange between the US, Pitkin County, Colorado and the Aspen Valley Land Trust, a non-profit organization.

The land to be transferred is 5.5 acres in the National Forest System in Pitkin County (the Wildwood parcel), 5.92 acres (the Smuggler Mountain Patent Remnants) and 40 acres of Bureau of Land Management property known as the Crystal River Parcel. Also in the mix is 35 acres of non-Federal land known as the Ryan Property Conveyance and 18.2 acres of non-Federal land also known as and located on Smuggler Mountain.

The swap of Federal and non-Federal land is to be of equal value based on an appraisal by the Secretary of Interior. Land acquired by the US will become part of the White River National Forest.

If the non-Federal land is worth more that the Federal land the excess non-Federal land will be donated by the County with no expectations of reimbursement. If the Federal land is worth more than the non-Federal land the County will make up the difference in cash, can convey approximately 160 acres of additional non-Federal land known as the Sellar Park parcel or a combination of the two.

Other conditions apply: The land must be accessible to the public for recreation, fishing and wildlife conservation and open space. Other uses must be acceptable to the Secretary of Interior. If the land is misused the title will revert to the US.

US holds an easement to locate and build the East of Aspen Trail.

Sponsor: Representative Mark Udall (R-CO 2^nd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote December 6, 2005. Passed Senate amended by Unanimous Consent September 29, 2006. Passed House as amended by voice vote November 13, 2006.

Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1129 would not significantly affect the federal budget. According to those agencies, the federal land to be conveyed currently generates no significant receipts and is not expected to do so over the next 10 years; therefore, we estimate that the proposed exchange would not reduce federal receipts. We further estimate that H.R. 1129 would not increase federal administrative or land-management costs by more than $500,000 per year. Any spending for such costs would be subject to appropriation. Enacting H.R. 1129 would not affect revenues.”