This bill transfers administrative jurisdiction of specific federal land parcels in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, between the Secretary of the Interior and US Customs and Border Protection for use by the Advanced Training Center and the National Historical Park.
Jim Justice
Senator
WV
This bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over specific parcels of federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, between the Secretary of the Interior and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Approximately 25 acres will move to CBP for use as part of their Advanced Training Center, while about 71.51 acres will be transferred to the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The bill also includes provisions for surveying the transferred land and mandates that the CBP parcel must revert to the National Historical Park if it is no longer needed for training purposes.
Federal Land Swap in Harpers Ferry: CBP Gets 25 Acres, National Park Gains 71.5
Alright, let's talk about some federal real estate shuffling happening in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This isn't about new construction or a big government buyout; it's more like a property line adjustment between a couple of federal agencies. Essentially, this bill is moving some land around to better suit their needs, and it's all happening without a single dollar changing hands between them.
The Great Land Exchange
Here’s the rundown: about 25 acres of federal land in Harpers Ferry is being transferred from the Department of the Interior (think National Parks) over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This specific chunk of land is earmarked to become part of CBP's Advanced Training Center, which means it'll no longer be considered part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. So, if you're a park enthusiast, that's 25 acres coming out of the park's official boundary. On the flip side, CBP is giving up three parcels of federal land, totaling about 71.51 acres, to the Department of the Interior. This larger piece of land will then be absorbed into the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. It's a net gain for the park in terms of acreage, even with the smaller piece going to CBP.
Mapping It Out and Future Plans
Now, for the nitty-gritty: CBP is on the hook for getting a proper survey done for that 25-acre parcel they're receiving. This survey will lock down the exact size and legal description, and CBP will foot the bill for it. They can also tweak any small errors on the map that's guiding this whole transfer. This ensures everyone knows exactly where the new boundaries lie. What's interesting is the 'return policy' baked into this deal. If CBP ever decides they don't need that 25-acre parcel for their training center down the road, they have to transfer administrative jurisdiction right back to the Department of the Interior. When that happens, that land gets folded back into the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, effectively restoring it to its original park status. This provision (Section 1(d) of the Act of June 30, 1944) ensures the land has a clear path back to park use if its primary purpose changes.