Sponsors
The bill lets a city obtain ~150 acres of National Forest land at minimal upfront cost to secure municipal water infrastructure and protect public use, but it does so by transferring federal public land without sale proceeds and with limited federal protections — trading federal asset and conservation value (and potential local legal/fiscal risks) for local infrastructure gains.
Local governments and residents: the City can acquire ~150 acres for municipal water supply and infrastructure expansion, improving reliable local water access and supporting community growth.
Local governments and taxpayers: conveyance at no purchase price reduces upfront land acquisition costs — the City only pays survey and transaction expenses — lowering the immediate funding barrier to securing needed land.
Local governments and communities: the public-use requirement and reversion clause help ensure the land remains available for municipal services rather than private development, protecting public interests.
Taxpayers/public: the federal government relinquishes ~150 acres of National Forest System land without sale proceeds, reducing federal land assets and potential future revenue or public-use options.
Rural communities and recreationists: conveying National Forest land could reduce conservation protections or public recreational access if the City's use differs, degrading environmental and public-lands benefits.
Local governments and homeowners: the City must pay all conveyance costs (surveys, transaction fees), which could strain local budgets or divert funds from other services if expenses exceed expectations.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Conveys an approximately 150-acre parcel of National Forest System land in Mount Hood National Forest to the City of The Dalles, Oregon, if the City requests the conveyance within one year of enactment. The conveyance is by quitclaim deed and is made without consideration. The City must pay all conveyance costs (including a Secretary-approved survey). The land must be used for public purposes such as municipal water supply and related infrastructure; uses inconsistent with that requirement cause automatic reversion to the United States. The conveyance is subject to valid existing rights and any terms the Secretary of Agriculture deems appropriate to protect U.S. interests.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Cliff Bentz · Last progress December 10, 2025