H.R. 6614House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:19 PM UTC

The Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to transfer a specific parcel of National Forest System land in the Coconino National Forest to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The transfer is to be made without payment, using a quit‑claim deed, if the observatory submits a written request within 180 days of the law’s enactment. The bill changes federal ownership of that land and benefits the Lowell Observatory.

Key Provisions

Defines "Observatory" as the Lowell Observatory of Flagstaff, Arizona, and "Secretary" as the Secretary of Agriculture acting through the Forest Service.
Allows the Observatory to request the land conveyance in writing within 180 days after the Act’s enactment.
Requires the Secretary to convey the specified National Forest System parcel to the Observatory by quit‑claim deed, without consideration, subject to existing rights.
Specifies the land to be conveyed: the parcel originally granted to Percival Lowell and his heirs in 1910, described as section 17, Township 21 north, range 7 east, in Coconino County, Arizona.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

August 16, 2018

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 26, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

July 26, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

August 16, 2018

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued July 26, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6614

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 26, 2018

Mr. O'Halleran introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to release reversionary and reserved interests in certain lands within the Coconino National Forest, Arizona.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Observatory

The term Observatory means the Lowell Observatory of Flagstaff, Arizona.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

Release of reversionary and reserved interests

(a)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, if the Observatory makes a written request to the Secretary not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act requesting conveyance of the National Forest System land described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall convey, without consideration and by quitclaim deed, to the Observatory all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the parcel of land described in subsection (b).

(b)

Land specified

The parcel of National Forest System land to be conveyed under subsection (a) is the land—

(1)

conveyed by the United States to Percival Lowell and his heirs by the Act entitled An Act Granting certain lands in the Coconino National Forest, in Arizona, for observatory purposes, approved May 30, 1910; and

(2)

described as section 17, Township 21 north of range 7 east of the Gila and Salt River base and meridian in Coconino County, Arizona.