S. 3642Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act

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Updated April 16, 2026 at 12:15 AM UTC

The Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act directs the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to transfer a specific parcel of land in the Coconino National Forest to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The transfer is to be made without payment if the Observatory submits a written request within 180 days of the law’s enactment. The bill affects the federal government’s ownership of the land and the Observatory’s ownership of the parcel.

Key Provisions

Defines "Observatory" as the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff and "Secretary" as the Secretary of Agriculture acting through the Forest Service chief.
Requires the Secretary to convey, by quit‑claim deed and without consideration, all U.S. title to the specified parcel if the Observatory requests it in writing within 180 days of enactment, subject to existing rights.
Specifies the parcel as the National Forest System land originally granted to Percival Lowell in 1910, located at the described survey coordinates in Coconino County, Arizona.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

November 15, 2018

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

November 15, 2018

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

November 15, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued November 15, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3642

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 15, 2018

Mr. Kyl introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to release reversionary and reserved interests in certain land in the Coconino National Forest in the State of 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 in 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 for conveyance of the parcel of land described in subsection (b) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convey to the Observatory, without consideration and by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to that parcel of land.

(b)

Land described

The parcel of land to be conveyed under subsection (a) is the National Forest System 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 (36 Stat. 452; chapter 261); and

(2)

described as sec. 17, T. 21 N., R. 7 E., of the Gila and Salt River base and meridian in Coconino County, Arizona.