This bill releases the U.S. government's reversionary and mineral interests in a 0.62-acre parcel of State forest land in Chester County, Tennessee, to the State of Tennessee, allowing Bethel Baptist Church to resolve an encroachment issue. The State of Tennessee will be responsible for covering all administrative costs.
Marsha Blackburn
Senator
TN
This bill releases the U.S. government's reversionary and mineral interests in a 0.62-acre parcel of State forest land within Chickasaw State Forest in Henderson, Chester County, Tennessee, to the State of Tennessee. The Secretary of Agriculture will release the reversionary interest and convey the mineral rights to the state without requiring additional reviews or appraisals. The State of Tennessee will be responsible for covering all administrative costs incurred by the U.S. in carrying out this release and conveyance.
Feds Greenlight Land Transfer to Tennessee, Resolving Church Property Line Issue
The federal government is handing back a tiny slice of land—0.62 acres, to be exact—in Chester County, Tennessee, to the state. This isn't about grabbing more land; it's actually about fixing a small property line hiccup. It turns out Bethel Baptist Church is slightly over the line, by about 19 inches, onto state-owned property within the Chickasaw State Forest.
Straightening Out the Lines
This bill sorts out that overlap by releasing the U.S. government's "reversionary interest" and mineral rights on that small parcel. What's a reversionary interest? Basically, it's a rule saying the land goes back to the feds if the state stops using it for public purposes. The bill wipes that out, along with handing over any mineral rights underneath. The state of Tennessee is picking up the tab for all the administrative costs involved.
No-Fuss Transfer
Usually, these kinds of deals involve appraisals, reports, and environmental reviews. This bill skips all that. The mineral rights are also being transferred "as is," without any digging around to see what's there (or what it's worth). Think of it like buying a used car without checking under the hood—except in this case, it's a tiny piece of land, and the risk is pretty low. The transfer of mineral rights is done with a quitclaim deed, meaning there is no warranty on the transaction.
The Upshot
For folks in Chester County, this means the state gets full control of the land, clearing up any potential legal headaches down the road. Bethel Baptist Church can rest easy knowing their building isn't technically trespassing. And, since the land remains part of the Chickasaw State Forest, it stays open for public use. While skipping appraisals and environmental checks might raise an eyebrow, the tiny size of the parcel (Section 1) makes it less of a concern in this case. It's mostly about tidying up property lines and making sure the state has clear ownership.