119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10136


To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Crossett Experimental Forest to the State of Arkansas, and for other purposes.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 20, 2026

Mr. Westerman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources


A BILL

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Crossett Experimental Forest to the State of Arkansas, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026”.

SEC. 2. Conveyance of the Crossett Experimental Forest.

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(2) STATE.—The terms “State” means the State of Arkansas.

(3) FOREST.—The term “Forest” means the Crossett Experimental Forest, the R.R. Reynolds Research Natural Area, and associated facilities, generally depicted as “USDA Forest Service” on the map entitled “Crossett Experimental Forest”, version 1, and dated May 1, 2026.

(b) Conveyance required.—Subject to this section, if the State submits to the Secretary a written request for conveyance of the Forest not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convey to the State all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Forest.

(c) Terms and conditions.—The conveyance under subsection (b) shall be—

(1) subject to valid existing rights;

(2) made without consideration;

(3) made by quitclaim deed;

(4) subject to the requirements under subsection (f); and

(5) subject to such other terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

(d) Costs of conveyance.—Any costs relating to the conveyance under subsection (b), including costs for surveys and other administrative costs, shall be paid by the State.

(e) Map corrections.—The Secretary and the State may, by mutual agreement—

(1) make minor boundary adjustments to the Forest to be conveyed under subsection (b); and

(2) correct any minor errors in the map, an acreage estimate, or the description of the Forest.

(f) Use of conveyed land.—

(1) STATE FOREST DESIGNATION.—As a condition of conveyance, the State, upon conveyance, shall designate the Forest as the “Crossett State Forest” and manage and maintain the Forest under such designation and in accordance with all laws and regulations applicable to Arkansas State forests, to the extent that such laws and regulations do not conflict with the requirements of this section.

(2) USE.—The State shall use the conveyed Forest—

(A) for forest research, education, and demonstration purposes in a manner consistent with the historic research mission of the Forest; and

(B) in coordination with the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, including by providing such entities with reasonable research and education access to the Forest for research and educational purposes.

(3) REVERSIONARY INTEREST.—If the Secretary determines that the State has failed to manage and maintain the Forest in accordance with paragraph (1) or use the Forest in accordance with paragraph (2)—

(A) the Secretary shall issue to the State written notice of the failure; and

(B) if the State does not correct the failure within 180 days after receiving such written notice, all right, title, and interest in and to the Forest, or the portion of the Forest affected by the failure, may, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.

(g) Applicability of Federal law.—

(1) MAJOR FEDERAL ACTION.—A conveyance under subsection (b) shall not be considered a major Federal action for purposes of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

(2) EFFECT OF UNDERTAKING ON HISTORIC PROPERTY.—Section 306108 of title 54, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to a conveyance under subsection (b).