I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1559 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 17, 2009 Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To provide for the resolution of several land ownership and related issues with respect to parcels of land located within the Everglades National Park.
1.
Everglades national park
(a)
Definitions
In this section: (1)
Company
The term Company means Florida Power & Light Company. (2)
Federal land
The term Federal Land means the parcels of land that are— (A)owned by the United States; (B)administered by the Secretary; (C)located within the National Park; and (D)generally depicted on the map as— (i)Tract A, which is adjacent to the Tamiami Trail, U.S. Rt. 41; and (ii)Tract B, which is located on the eastern boundary of the National Park. (3)
Map
The term map means the map prepared by the National Park Service, titled Proposed Land Exchanges, Everglades National Park, numbered 160/60411A, and dated September 2008. (4)
National park
The term National Park means the Everglades National Park located in the State. (5)
Non-federal land
The term non-Federal land means the land in the State that— (A)is owned by the State, the specific area and location of which shall be determined by the State; or (B)(i)is owned by the Company; (ii)comprises approximately 320 acres; and (iii)is located within the East Everglades Acquisition Area, as generally depicted on the map as Tract D. (6)
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (7)
State
The term State means the State of Florida and political subdivisions of the State, including the South Florida Water Management District. (b)
Land exchange with state
(1)
In general
Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, if the State offers to convey to the Secretary all right, title, and interest of the State in and to specific parcels of non-Federal land, and the offer is acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary may, subject to valid existing rights, accept the offer and convey to the State all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land generally depicted on the map as Tract A. (2)
Conditions
The land exchange under paragraph (1) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require. (3)
Valuation
(A)
In general
The values of the land involved in the land exchange under paragraph (1) shall be equal. (B)
Equalization
If the values of the land are not equal, the values may be equalized by donation, payment using donated or appropriated funds, or the conveyance of additional parcels of land. (4)
Appraisals
Before the exchange of land under paragraph (1), appraisals for the Federal and non-Federal land shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. (5)
Technical corrections
Subject to the agreement of the State, the Secretary may make minor corrections to correct technical and clerical errors in the legal descriptions of the Federal and non-Federal land and minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Federal and non-Federal land. (6)
Administration of land acquired by secretary
Land acquired by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall— (A)become part of the National Park; and (B)be administered in accordance with the laws applicable to the National Park System. (c)
Land exchange with company
(1)
In general
Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, if the Company offers to convey to the Secretary all right, title, and interest of the Company in and to the non-Federal land generally depicted on the map as Tract D, and the offer is acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary may, subject to valid existing rights, accept the offer and convey to the Company all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land generally depicted on the map as Tract B, along with a perpetual easement on a corridor of land contiguous to Tract B for the purpose of vegetation management. (2)
Conditions
The land exchange under paragraph (1) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require. (3)
Valuation
(A)
In general
The values of the land involved in the land exchange under paragraph (1) shall be equal unless the non-Federal land is of higher value than the Federal land. (B)
Equalization
If the values of the land are not equal, the values may be equalized by donation, payment using donated or appropriated funds, or the conveyance of additional parcels of land. (4)
Appraisal
Before the exchange of land under paragraph (1), appraisals for the Federal and non-Federal land shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. (5)
Technical corrections
Subject to the agreement of the Company, the Secretary may make minor corrections to correct technical and clerical errors in the legal descriptions of the Federal and non-Federal land and minor adjustments to the boundaries of the Federal and non-Federal land. (6)
Administration of land acquired by secretary
Land acquired by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall— (A)become part of the National Park; and (B)be administered in accordance with the laws applicable to the National Park System. (d)
Map
The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (e)
Boundary revision
On completion of the land exchanges authorized by this section, the Secretary shall adjust the boundary of the National Park accordingly, including removing the land conveyed out of Federal ownership.