[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5721-H5722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH LAND EXCHANGE ACT OF 2024

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1657) to provide for a land exchange in the Chippewa 
National Forest, Minnesota, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1657

       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 ``Lake Winnibigoshish Land 
     Exchange Act of 2024''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) BWLT.--The term ``BWLT'' means Big Winnie Land and 
     Timber, LLC, a Minnesota Limited Liability Corporation.
       (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Heig 
     Land Exchange'' and dated December 14, 2023.
       (3) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the 
     approximately 17.5 acres of Federal land in Itasca County, 
     Minnesota, generally depicted as the ``Federal Parcel'' on 
     the Map.
       (4) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land'' means 
     the approximately 36.7 acres of non-Federal land in Itasca 
     County, Minnesota, generally depicted as the ``Non-Federal 
     Parcel'' on the Map.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service.

     SEC. 3. EXCHANGE OF LAND.

       (a) Exchange Authorized.--Subject to the provisions of this 
     Act, if BWLT offers to convey the non-Federal land to the 
     United States, the Secretary shall, not later than 1 year 
     after the date on which such offer is made--
       (1) accept the offer;
       (2) convey to BWLT all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the Federal land, excepting and 
     reserving an easement for road access to National Forest 
     System land west of the Federal Parcel; and
       (3) accept from BWLT all right, title, and interest of BWLT 
     in and to the non-Federal land.
       (b) Requirements.--The exchange under subsection (a) shall 
     be--
       (1) conditioned on title approval for the non-Federal land 
     by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (e);
       (2) conditioned on a cash equalization payment made by BWLT 
     to the United States in accordance with subsection (c) if, 
     under the appraisals conducted in accordance with this Act, 
     it is determined that the value of the Federal land exceeds 
     the value of the non-Federal land;
       (3) conditioned on the satisfactory completion of a Phase I 
     Environmental Site Assessment by BWLT, provided to the 
     Secretary, in advance of the acceptance of the non-Federal 
     parcel;
       (4) subject to valid existing rights; and
       (5) subject to any other terms and conditions the Secretary 
     determines appropriate.
       (c) Equal Value and Cash Equalization.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     exchange under subsection (a) shall be for equal value or the 
     values shall be equalized by a cash payment.
       (2) Exception.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     if the appraised value of the non-Federal land to be conveyed 
     to the United States exceeds the appraised value of the 
     Federal land, a cash equalization payment by the United 
     States to BWLT is hereby waived and the amount of such waived 
     payment shall be considered a donation by BWLT to the United 
     States for all purposes of law.
       (d) Appraisals.--
       (1) In general.--The value of the land to be exchanged 
     under this Act shall be determined by appraisals conducted by 
     an independent and qualified appraiser mutually agreed to by 
     the Secretary and BWLT.
       (2) Appraisal standards.--The Secretary shall complete 
     appraisals of the land to be exchanged under this Act in 
     accordance with--
       (A) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
     Acquisitions; and
       (B) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal 
     Practice.
       (e) Format.--Title to the non-Federal land to be conveyed 
     to the United States under this Act shall be found sufficient 
     by the Secretary pursuant to section 3111 of title 40, United 
     States Code.
       (f) Management of Acquired Land.--The non-Federal land 
     acquired by the United States under subsection (a) shall be--
       (1) added to, and managed as part of, the Chippewa National 
     Forest; and
       (2) managed in accordance with the laws, rules, and 
     regulations pertaining to National Forest System lands.
       (g) Map and Legal Descriptions.--
       (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize the Map 
     and legal descriptions of all land to be conveyed under this 
     Act.
       (2) Controlling document.--In the case of a discrepancy 
     between the Map and a legal description, the Map shall 
     control.
       (3) Corrections.--The Secretary and BWLT, by mutual 
     agreement, may correct any minor errors in the Map or in the 
     legal descriptions, including with respect to the boundaries 
     of the Federal land and the non-Federal land.
       (4) Map on file.--The Map and legal descriptions shall be 
     on file and available for public inspection in appropriate 
     offices of the Forest Service.
       (h) Closing Costs.--As a condition for the exchange under 
     subsection (a), BWLT shall pay all closing costs associated 
     with the exchange, including for--
       (1) title insurance and title search;
       (2) any applicable inspection fees, escrow fees, attorneys 
     fees, and recording fees; and
       (3) any environmental analysis or resource survey required 
     under Federal law, regulation, or policy, including a Phase I 
     Environmental Site Assessment of the non-Federal land.
       (i) Survey.--
       (1) In general.--The exact acreages and legal descriptions 
     of the Federal and non-Federal land to be exchanged under 
     subsection (a) shall be determined by surveys satisfactory to 
     the Secretary.
       (2) Costs of survey.--BWLT shall bear all costs associated 
     with the surveys under paragraph (1).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-
Cortez) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 1657, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1657, the Lake 
Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill being led 
by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
  This commonsense legislation will authorize the U.S. Forest Service 
to enter into a land exchange with the Bowen Lodge, a family-operated 
resort on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota.
  Exchanging parcels between the Chippewa National Forest and the Bowen 
Lodge will create a win-win scenario. The lodge will gain permanent 
access to the lake, and the Forest Service will be able to reconfigure 
part of its unwieldy checkerboard pattern of land ownership.
  This change will provide excellent fishing and recreation 
opportunities for the local community and improve management 
efficiencies for the Federal Government.
  I applaud Representative Stauber for his leadership in this effort to 
improve outdoor recreation opportunities for his constituents and for 
all who have the pleasure of visiting and recreating in northern 
Minnesota. He has long been a strong advocate for responsible public 
land management and access for outdoor recreation, and this

[[Page H5722]]

legislation is an excellent reflection of that commitment.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1900

  Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1657, introduced by 
Representative Stauber, would authorize the U.S. Forest Service to 
exchange a parcel of Chippewa National Forest land for a parcel of land 
currently owned by the Big Winnie Land and Timber company in Minnesota.
  The Forest Service parcel is commercially zoned and already leased 
annually for the management and operation of a marina and resort, so 
the land exchange is designed to ease and simplify management.
  In exchange for the land that includes the marina, the Forest Service 
will receive a parcel that consolidates ownership in the Chippewa 
National Forest, providing for better land management of undisturbed 
sites, critical wetlands, and wildlife habitat that are currently 
adjacent to Federal lands. In turn, Big Winnie will continue management 
and operation of the marina and resort for continued visitor and 
commercial activity.
  This bill is a commonsense solution that follows the standard 
protocols for these types of transactions.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for 
working with us to incorporate feedback from the Forest Service, 
including extending the timeline to allow for the completion of the 
exchange.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), the lead sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 
1657, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2024.
  Lake Winnibigoshish, or Lake Winnie as it is also known, is located 
within the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and is home to 
Bowen Lodge, a premier, family-owned fishing lodge. Bowen Lodge has 
been in operation and welcoming patrons since 1925.
  For the past four decades, Bill and Gail Heig and their family have 
operated Bowen Lodge, serving as incredible stewards of Lake Winnie and 
providing incredible fishing and vacation memories for Minnesotans and 
other out-of-towners over the years.
  Currently, Bowen Lodge has a 20-year agreement with the U.S. Forest 
Service to lease 17\1/2\ acres of shoreline along the lake, where they 
operate their marina. Under the Heigs' stewardship, Lake Winnie has 
remained accessible to the citizens of Itasca County and the many 
people who visit.
  Notably, the Heigs purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of-
State mega-resort developer sought to purchase a parcel of land, which 
would have changed the face of Lake Winnie forever. Now, Bowen Lodge is 
seeking to convey this extra acreage to the Chippewa National Forest.
  It is in the best interest of the public that the Forest Service take 
stewardship of this land, rather than out-of-State developers that may 
not prioritize public access for our local community.
  Additionally, this land will make it easier for the Forest Service to 
access and responsibly maintain their other acreage in the area.
  The bill before us today would facilitate the land exchange between 
Bowen Lodge and the Forest Service: 17 acres of shoreline to Bowen 
Lodge so they can continue to operate their marina in exchange for 37 
acres of nearby land to the Forest Service, which would then be added 
to the Chippewa National Forest.
  This exchange would better align proper boundaries, put the right 
acreage under the right management, and ensure Minnesotans have the 
ability to boat, fish, and enjoy beautiful Lake Winnie.
  Thanks to the Heigs' quick thinking and strong advocacy, our way of 
life will be preserved.
  I am proud that this land exchange is supported by local communities 
in Itasca County, including the local county board of supervisors that 
testified in support of the bill before the Natural Resources Committee 
last fall as well as the Mississippi Headwaters Board and other local 
environmental organizations. It is also supported by the U.S. Forest 
Service and leadership of the Chippewa National Forest.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation.
  Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense bill that will 
benefit the people of northern Minnesota and our public lands. Once 
again, I applaud Representative Stauber for his work on this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Moran). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1657, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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