S. 1808

Denali National Park and Alaska Railroad Land Exchange Act of 2007

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II

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1808

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 17, 2007

Ms. Murkowski (for herself and Mr. Stevens) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To authorize the exchange of certain land in Denali National Park in the State of Alaska.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Denali National Park and Alaska Railroad Land Exchange Act of 2007.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Federal land

The term Federal land means land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the boundary of the Park that is identified by the Secretary for exchange under section 3.

(2)

Non-federal land

The term non-Federal land means land that is—

(A)

identified by the Railroad for exchange under section 3; and

(B)

composed of an exclusive-use easement owned by the Railroad within the Park, including the former Denali Park Station Wye track.

(3)

Park

The term Park means the Denali National Park in the State of Alaska.

(4)

Railroad

The term Railroad means the Alaska Railroad.

(5)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

3.

Land exchange

(a)

In general

The Secretary may convey to the Railroad Federal land within the Park in exchange for non-Federal land of the Railroad to be used for turning railroad trains around near Denali Park Station.

(b)

Conditions of the land exchange

(1)

Equal acreage

A land exchange under this section shall be on an equal acre basis.

(2)

Total acres exchanged

The total quantity of land exchanged under this section shall be—

(A)

not more than 25 acres of Federal land; and

(B)

not more than 25 acres of non-Federal land.

(3)

Interest conveyed

(A)

Non-federal land

The interest conveyed by the Railroad to the Secretary under this section shall be the full title and interest received by the Railroad under title VI of Public Law 97–468 (commonly known as the Alaska Railroad Transfer Act of 1982) (45 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.).

(B)

Federal land

The interest conveyed to the Railroad by the Secretary under this section shall be subject to the same reservations and limitations under title VI of Public Law 97–468 (commonly known as the Alaska Railroad Transfer Act of 1982) (45 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) that are applicable to the non-Federal land conveyed.

(4)

Costs

The Railroad shall pay the costs of any land exchange under this section, including—

(A)

the costs of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);

(B)

the costs of land surveys; and

(C)

any other reasonable costs necessary to carry out the exchange.

(5)

Land to be part of Wilderness

Any non-Federal land conveyed to the Secretary under this section that is adjacent to the Denali Wilderness shall become part of the Denali Wilderness.

(6)

Other terms and conditions

The Secretary may require any additional terms and conditions for a land exchange under this section that the Secretary determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

(c)

Timeline

The Secretary and the Railroad shall carry out the land exchange under this section not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.