This bill authorizes a land exchange between the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park to improve administrative management of approximately 330 acres in Tuolumne County, California.
Tom McClintock
Representative
CA-5
This bill authorizes a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service in Tuolumne County, California. By transferring approximately 160 acres to Yosemite National Park and 170 acres to the Stanislaus National Forest, the legislation aims to improve administrative efficiency and land management. The act also provides provisions for minor boundary adjustments and ensures that all existing land rights and permits remain protected.
California Land Swap: Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest to Exchange 330 Acres for Streamlined Management
This bill initiates a straightforward 'land swap' between two major federal neighbors in Tuolumne County, California. It transfers administrative jurisdiction of approximately 160 acres of National Forest System land over to Yosemite National Park, while simultaneously moving about 170 acres of National Park land into the jurisdiction of the Stanislaus National Forest. Essentially, the federal government is moving boundaries on a map to consolidate management, ensuring that these specific patches of land—collectively known as the Ackerson Meadow area—are overseen by the agency whose mission best fits the terrain.
Moving the Fence Lines
Under Section 1, the 160-acre parcel (located in the Mount Diablo Meridian) shifts from the Forest Service to the Interior Department to be managed as part of Yosemite. In exchange, a 170-acre parcel moves to the Department of Agriculture to become part of the Stanislaus National Forest. For a local hiker or a nearby resident, the immediate change might be subtle—perhaps a different patch on a ranger's uniform—but it allows the agencies to manage the landscape more holistically. The bill also gives the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior the green light to make minor 'boundary corrections' or survey adjustments down the road, provided they both agree and publish the changes in the Federal Register.
Keeping the Fine Print Intact
If you currently hold a permit, lease, or right-of-way on this land, the bill includes a 'stay the course' provision. Section 1 specifically states that this transfer does not affect any 'valid existing rights.' Whether it’s a utility easement or a specific land use license, the terms and conditions remain exactly the same. The only real-world difference for a permit holder is who they send their paperwork to; the agency receiving the land takes over all administrative responsibilities for those existing authorizations the moment the bill is enacted. It’s a bureaucratic handoff designed to ensure that while the management 'boss' changes, the rules for current land users don't.