Sponsors (2)
The bill provides Pennington County a low‑cost site to improve local infrastructure and services by transferring a small parcel of federal forest land, but it reduces federal public land and shifts management costs and potential regulatory burdens onto the county and its taxpayers.
Pennington County can receive ~8.97 acres of former National Forest land at no purchase cost, enabling construction of a public works facility and more efficient local services (e.g., road maintenance, equipment storage).
Local taxpayers and Pennington County would assume responsibility for managing and maintaining the conveyed land, increasing county expenses and potentially local tax burdens.
Residents and visitors lose access to ~8.97 acres of National Forest, reducing federal public lands and potentially limiting conservation and recreational opportunities for the surrounding rural community.
Pennington County may face uncertain or restrictive terms and conditions imposed by the Secretary (including mitigation requirements), creating administrative uncertainty and possible compliance costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Transfers ~8.97 acres of Black Hills National Forest land to Pennington County, SD, for county public works or other uses and updates the forest boundary.
Conveys about 8.97 acres of National Forest System land in the Black Hills National Forest to Pennington County, South Dakota, for use as a county public works facility or other county purposes. The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, must transfer all federal interests in the parcel without consideration and then adjust the forest boundary to reflect the conveyance. The transfer is subject to any appropriate terms and conditions determined by the Secretary and must occur as soon as practicable after the law is enacted. The parcel is identified on a June 22, 2026 map labeled "Parcel to be Conveyed."
Official title: Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Pennington County, South Dakota, certain National Forest System land.
Introduced August 7, 2026 by John Thune · Last progress August 7, 2026