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).