This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 8.97 acres of Black Hills National Forest land to Pennington County, South Dakota, for public use.
John Thune
Senator
SD
The Pennington County Land Conveyance Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer approximately 8.97 acres of Black Hills National Forest land to Pennington County, South Dakota. This land will be conveyed at no cost to the county to support the development of a public works facility or other necessary public uses. Following the transfer, the bill mandates a formal adjustment to the national forest boundary to reflect the change in ownership.
Black Hills Land Transfer: Pennington County to Receive 9 Acres for New Public Works Facility
This bill cuts through the usual red tape to hand over roughly 8.97 acres of federal land within the Black Hills National Forest directly to Pennington County, South Dakota. Under Section 2, the Secretary of Agriculture is required to transfer all rights and interest in this specific parcel—including any existing buildings or improvements—to the county as soon as possible. The most notable detail for local taxpayers? The transfer happens at no cost to the county government, effectively moving federal property into local hands to support regional infrastructure.
Breaking Ground on Local Needs
The primary goal of this land swap is to give the county space for a public works facility. In the real world, this means the trucks that plow your snow, the crews that fix your potholes, and the equipment that maintains county roads will have a dedicated home. While the bill specifically mentions a highway maintenance facility in its map title, the text actually gives the county a long leash, allowing the land to be used for "any other use the County determines necessary." This flexibility ensures that if local needs shift in ten years, the county isn't stuck with a property they can't repurpose for other community services.
Redrawing the Forest Map
Once the paperwork is signed, this isn't just a lease or a temporary permit; the land officially leaves the federal inventory. Section 2(c) requires the Forest Service to formally change the boundaries of the Black Hills National Forest to show that these nine acres are no longer part of the protected woods. For those who use the forest for recreation, it’s a small but permanent carve-out. For the county, it’s a permanent asset. The Secretary of Agriculture does maintain the power to set "appropriate" terms and conditions on the deal, which acts as a safety valve to ensure the transfer doesn't accidentally interfere with surrounding forest management or public access during the transition.