To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill, S. 3095, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a specific parcel of Forest Service property to Perry County, Arkansas. The land, approximately 0.81 acres, is located at 1069 Fourche Avenue, Perryville, Arkansas. The conveyance is contingent on the county's written request within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
Expected Effects
Perry County, Arkansas, will gain ownership of the specified property for public use. The Forest Service will relinquish control of the parcel. The county will bear the costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys and environmental analyses.
Potential Benefits
- Provides Perry County with land for public purposes, such as education and youth development.
- Transfers responsibility for the property to the local government, potentially increasing local control and responsiveness.
- The land transfer is without consideration, representing a financial benefit to Perry County.
- The bill specifies the land must be used for public purposes, ensuring community benefit.
- Potentially streamlines local government operations by consolidating resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- The federal government loses control of the property.
- Perry County assumes all costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys and environmental analyses, which could strain the county budget.
- The property reverts to the United States if it ceases to be used for public purposes, potentially limiting the county's long-term flexibility.
- The bill does not specify the exact public purpose, which could lead to disagreements or misuse.
- The transfer may set a precedent for similar requests from other counties, potentially impacting Forest Service land management.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2), which grants Congress the power to dispose of property belonging to the United States. The bill's purpose of conveying land to a county for public use does not inherently conflict with any constitutional principles. The bill also respects the Tenth Amendment, as it allows the state to manage the land for public purposes.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).