Sponsor
Dustin Johnson
Representative · R-SD
Representative · R-SD
The bill transfers a small parcel of National Forest land to Pennington County to support local public-works needs and simplify land records, trading a modest local service and administrative benefit for a permanent reduction in federal landholdings with potential environmental and neighborhood impacts.
Pennington County will receive ~8.97 acres of National Forest land (and improvements) at no purchase cost, allowing the county to site a highway maintenance or other public-works facility and likely improve local public services.
The conveyance and required boundary modification clarify land records and administrative responsibilities for the U.S. Forest Service and county government.
Federal taxpayers lose ownership of nearly 9 acres of National Forest land and any future revenue or uses tied to federal ownership without receiving payment.
The transfer reduces the size of National Forest lands, which could limit public access, habitat protection, or other conservation uses on that parcel.
Residents near the parcel may experience increased noise, traffic, or other public-works impacts depending on how the county uses the land.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Transfers ~8.97 acres of Black Hills National Forest land to Pennington County, SD, without payment and requires updating the forest boundary.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Pennington County, South Dakota, certain National Forest System land.
Introduced August 31, 2026 by Dustin Johnson · Last progress August 31, 2026
Conveys about 8.97 acres of National Forest System land in Black Hills National Forest to Pennington County, South Dakota, without payment and subject to terms the Secretary of Agriculture sets, for use as a county public works facility or other county uses. The Forest Service must update the forest boundary to reflect the transfer. The conveyance is to occur as soon as practicable after enactment and includes any improvements on the parcel; the Secretary may impose terms and conditions deemed appropriate for the transfer.