Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 197
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T19:23:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This Act authorizes a specific land exchange in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota between the U.S. government (via the Forest Service) and a private company, Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT). The goal is to swap approximately 17.5 acres of federal land for about 36.7 acres of non-federal land to potentially enhance forest management and connectivity.

Key Provisions

Definitions:
BWLT: A Minnesota-based limited liability company.
Map: A specific map dated December 14, 2023, titled "Heig Land Exchange," used to depict the parcels.
Federal land: ~17.5 acres in Itasca County, MN, shown as the "Federal Parcel."
Non-federal land: ~36.7 acres in Itasca County, MN, shown as the "Non-Federal Parcel."
Secretary: The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

Land Exchange Authorization:
If BWLT offers the non-federal land, the Secretary must accept it and complete the exchange within 1 year.
The U.S. conveys full rights to the federal land to BWLT, but reserves an easement (a legal right of access) for roads to nearby National Forest land.
The non-federal land becomes federal property and is added to the Chippewa National Forest, managed under standard National Forest System rules (e.g., for conservation, recreation, and resource use).

Conditions and Requirements:
Title to the non-federal land must be approved by the Secretary (ensuring clear ownership under federal standards).
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (a preliminary check for potential contamination) must be completed by BWLT and provided to the Secretary.
The exchange respects any pre-existing rights (e.g., leases or permits) and can include other terms deemed necessary by the Secretary.
BWLT pays all closing costs, including title insurance, surveys, inspections, legal fees, and environmental reviews.

Valuation and Equalization:
Land values are determined by independent appraisals (professional valuations) agreed upon by both parties, following federal standards for accuracy and fairness.
The exchange aims for equal value; if the federal land is more valuable, BWLT pays the difference in cash.
If the non-federal land is more valuable, the U.S. does not pay cash—the excess value is treated as a donation from BWLT.

Maps, Surveys, and Documentation:
The Secretary finalizes maps and legal descriptions soon after enactment; the map takes precedence over descriptions in case of conflicts.
Minor errors can be corrected by mutual agreement.
Surveys (precise boundary measurements) are required and paid for by BWLT.
All documents are available for public review at Forest Service offices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act provides a targeted exception to standard federal land exchange rules by waiving any cash payment from the U.S. if the non-federal land exceeds the federal land's value, treating it as a donation. This simplifies the process and incentivizes the exchange without requiring federal funds.
It mandates a strict 1-year timeline for completion once offered, which may accelerate exchanges compared to general Forest Service procedures.
No broader changes to land management laws are introduced; the acquired land follows existing National Forest System regulations.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The Forest Service gains ~36.7 acres for the Chippewa National Forest, potentially improving land consolidation and management efficiency, while losing ~17.5 acres (with retained road access). This could reduce administrative fragmentation in the forest.
Citizens: Local residents in Itasca County, Minnesota, may benefit from enhanced public access to forest areas for recreation or conservation. Private landowner BWLT gains federal land for its use, possibly for timber or development.
International Relations: None apparent; this is a domestic land management matter.
Overall, the exchange is small-scale and localized, with minimal broader economic or environmental disruption, assuming the environmental assessment clears the non-federal land.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Forest Service/Secretary of Agriculture: Responsible for executing the exchange, appraisals, and ongoing management of the acquired land.
Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT): The private entity conveying non-federal land and receiving federal land; bears most costs.
Local Communities and Residents: In Itasca County and the Chippewa National Forest area, who may see changes in land use or access.
Environmental and Public Interest Groups: Potentially interested in how the exchange affects forest integrity, wildlife, or public lands (though public input is not explicitly required here).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The Act adheres to federal land exchange frameworks (e.g., appraisal standards and title reviews under U.S. Code) but streamlines specifics like the donation waiver, reducing potential disputes over valuation. It ensures compliance with environmental review basics via the Phase I assessment, though full National Environmental Policy Act processes may apply separately.
Constitutional: No direct implications; land exchanges are a standard congressional authority over federal property under Article IV (managing territories and property).
Political: As a reported bill without amendments, it reflects bipartisan or local-interest support for efficient public land management in Minnesota. It could set a precedent for similar small-scale exchanges treating value surpluses as donations, potentially encouraging private contributions to federal lands without taxpayer cost.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]

Recent Actions

2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
2025-10-21: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
2025-01-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
2025-01-21: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-01-21: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H242-243)
2025-01-21: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H242-243)
2025-01-21: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 197.
2025-01-21: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H242-244)
2025-01-21: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2025-01-03: Introduced in House
2025-01-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-21 — PDF (8 pages)
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (6 pages)
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-22 — PDF (7 pages)
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-27 — PDF (8 pages)