[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H242-H244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH LAND EXCHANGE ACT OF 2025
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 197) to provide for a land exchange in the Chippewa
National Forest, Minnesota, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 197
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 2025''.
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--
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(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 gentleman from California (Mr.
Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 197, 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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 197,
the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025, led by
Representative Stauber.
This commonsense legislation authorizes 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 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.
Representative Stauber has done an excellent job of leading this bill
that would help this small business improve its operation for years to
come. This bill would improve outdoor recreation opportunities for its
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 to outdoor
recreation, and this legislation is an excellent reflection of that
commitment.
Last Congress, this bill passed the House unanimously by voice vote.
I urge my colleagues to do the same today and support this important
piece of legislation.
Madam Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I support this bill, which would authorize the Forest
Service to exchange a parcel of the Chippewa National Forest for a
parcel of land currently owned by the Big Winnie Land and Timber
company in Minnesota.
We note that the Forest Service land in question is already used
commercially through a permit at the site of Bowen Lodge, a fishing and
hunting resort that operated a marina on the shores of Lake Winnie, a
place where Mr. Stauber has never invited me to go fishing, I am sad to
say, even though it sounds pretty wonderful and I might be able to
catch the first musky in my life. I will continue to wait for that
invitation.
In the meantime, the land exchange in this bill would help simplify
the operation of the resort and marina for continued visitor and
commercial activity. In turn, the Forest Service would gain a parcel of
land directly adjacent to the Chippewa National Forest and the
shoreline of Lake Winnie.
Integrating this parcel into the Forest Service will provide for
better management of undisturbed sites, critical wetlands, and wildlife
habitat that are currently adjacent to Federal lands. That makes good
sense.
{time} 1445
To quote my Republican colleague, this is a win-win near Lake Winnie,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Minnesota has
invited me to Minnesota to fish before. It is a lovely time of year to
fish in Minnesota if you like fishing through a little hole in the ice,
but I am sure it would be great on Lake Winnie.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
Stauber), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.
Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, to the ranking member from California, it
is 37 degrees below zero in Minnesota with the wind chill. Come on
over.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 197, the Lake
Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025.
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 guests since 1925.
For the past four decades, Bill and Gail Heig and their family have
operated Bowen Lodge, serving as great stewards of Lake Winnie and
providing incredible fishing and vacation memories for Minnesotans and
other out-of-towners over these many 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 citizens of Itasca County and the many people
who visit.
[[Page H244]]
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 that 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 who 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 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 the local
community in Itasca County, including the local county board of
supervisors who testified in support of the bill before the Natural
Resources Committee last Congress, 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 Service.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentleman from Minnesota.
Mr. STAUBER. The House of Representatives passed this bill
unanimously last September, but the Senate, unfortunately, never took
it up. It is my hope that after this House passes the bill today, the
Senate will quickly take it up and send this good piece of legislation
to President Trump for his signature.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
legislation.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time.
In closing, Madam Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that
benefits the people of northern Minnesota and our public lands.
Once again, I applaud Representative Stauber for his work on the
legislation, I urge its passage today. I hope the Senate will take up
this legislation quickly, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. 197.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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