Feds to Hand Over 150 Acres of Forest to The Dalles: City Gets One Year to Claim Watershed Land

The Dalles Watershed Development Act greenlights the transfer of about 150 acres of National Forest System land to The Dalles, Oregon. The catch? The city has to officially request the land within one year of the Act's enactment, and they're footing the bill for the entire process.

Land Grab Logistics

This bill, if enacted, directs the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service) to convey the land, located in the Mount Hood National Forest, to the city. The Dalles will cover all costs, including a survey to nail down the precise acreage. The transfer will be done via quitclaim deed, meaning the federal government isn't making any guarantees about the land's condition. The feds also get to add any terms they deem necessary to protect their interests (Sec. 3).

Real-World Rollout

Imagine you're a small business owner in The Dalles. This land transfer could mean improvements to the city's watershed management, potentially leading to more reliable water resources. Or, if you're a homeowner, it might translate to changes in local water regulations or infrastructure projects. On the flip side, if you're an outdoor enthusiast, this changes who is in charge of managing that 150 acres. It shifts from federal to city control.

The Fine Print

• One-Year Deadline: The Dalles has a tight timeframe to act (Sec. 3).
• City Pays: All costs, including that survey, are on the city's tab (Sec. 3).
• "Quitclaim Deed": This means the city accepts the land "as-is" (Sec. 3).
• "Subject to valid existing rights": any pre-existing claims or usage on this property will still be in effect after the transfer. (Sec. 3)

Potential Downsides

While improved watershed management is the stated goal, the bill doesn't explicitly prevent other uses of the land. This means that, in theory, the city could decide to develop the land in ways that aren't strictly watershed-related, as long as they're allowed. It will be up to the city and residents to decide what ultimately happens with the property.

Big Picture

This act essentially shifts control of a chunk of federal land to a local government. It highlights the interplay between federal and local authority, putting the onus on The Dalles to manage a significant piece of its surrounding environment. How the city chooses to use this land will be the real story to watch.