A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain parcels of land acquired for the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal features of the initial stage of the Oahe Unit, James Division, South Dakota, to the Commission of Schools and Public Lands and the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks of the State of South Dakota for the purpose of mitigating lost wildlife habitat, on the condition that the current preferential leaseholders shall have an option to purchase the parcels from the Commission, and for other purposes.
Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal Land Conveyance Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Deauthorizes the Blunt Reservoir feature of the Oahe Irrigation Project authorized as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program.
Allows preferential leaseholders (original landowners or descendants, or operators of the land at the time of purchase) of parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal an option to purchase from the Commission of Schools and Public Lands of South Dakota the land they lease. Sets terms for such purchases. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey all preferential lease parcels not purchased by the leaseholder to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Directs the Secretary to convey to the Department the nonpreferential leased parcels and unleased parcels of the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal, to be used for mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Requires the State of South Dakota to accept certain conditions of conveyance, including that: (1) it receives the land conveyed in "as is" condition; (2) it assumes responsibility for any liabilities accruing after the date of conveyance as a result of ownership, operation or maintenance of such land; (3) the Federal Government retains all oil, gas, and mineral rights; (4) the property continue to be used for wildlife conservation; and (5) title shall revert to the United States if the land is needed for national defense purposes.
Authorizes the Commission, with the Department's concurrence, to allow a person to exchange other land in South Dakota for a nonpreferential lease parcel or unleased parcel at Blunt Reservoir or Pierre Canal.
Permits the United States a perpetual easement for a water conveyance structure over, under, across, or through the Pierre Canal Feature.
Directs the Secretary to provide the State of South Dakota a full legal description of all preferential lease parcels and nonpreferential lease parcels that may be conveyed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2545-2546)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2546-2547)
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 108-16.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 108-16.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 28.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4879, S4880-4881; text as passed Senate: CR S4880-4881)
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4879, S4880-4881; text as passed Senate: CR S4880-4881)
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
checking server…
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.