Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5752
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-14: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:41:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025 aims to transfer approximately 124.23 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the city of Price, Utah, for public purposes defined by the city. This supports local development, potentially related to watershed management in the Upper Price River area.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "City" refers to Price, Utah.
- "Federal land" is the specified 124.23 acres of BLM land in Utah, as shown on a map titled "Land Conveyance near Price, Utah" dated May 8, 2025.
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the BLM Director.
- Land Conveyance:
- The Secretary must convey full ownership (right, title, and interest) of the federal land to the city upon the city's request.
- The land must be used for public purposes, as determined by the city (e.g., community projects or infrastructure).
- The conveyance respects any pre-existing legal rights (like mining claims or easements) on the land.
- Map Handling:
- The map defining the land is available for public review at BLM offices.
- The Secretary can fix minor errors on the map without altering the overall intent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This act overrides sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), which normally require public involvement, environmental reviews, and planning processes for federal land disposals or acquisitions.
- It streamlines the transfer by mandating it at the city's request, bypassing standard BLM procedures for land management and sales.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The BLM loses control over the 124.23 acres, reducing federal land holdings in Utah and potentially simplifying local administration but requiring updates to land records.
- On Citizens: Residents of Price, Utah, may benefit from new public uses of the land, such as parks, water management, or community facilities, improving local quality of life without federal oversight.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic land transfer within the U.S.
- Broader effects could include precedent for quicker local transfers of federal land in western states, where public lands are common.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- City of Price, Utah: Primary beneficiary, gaining land for public use and potential economic or environmental projects.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Department of the Interior: Responsible for executing the transfer; they relinquish management authority.
- Local Residents and Businesses: Indirectly affected through changes in land use, possibly gaining access to new public resources.
- Existing Rights Holders: Individuals or entities with pre-existing claims (e.g., grazing or mineral rights) retain their interests, unaffected by the transfer.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The act's override of FLPMA provisions could raise questions about compliance with broader environmental laws (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act), though it does not explicitly address them. "Valid existing rights" clause protects constitutional property interests.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), allowing disposal of public lands.
- Political: Highlights tensions in western U.S. land policy, where local governments often seek control over federal lands for development; this could encourage similar bills but face opposition from environmental groups concerned about reduced federal protections. The bill's introduction by a Utah representative underscores regional interests in state versus federal land control.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-14: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-10-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-10-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-14 — PDF (3 pages)