Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act
Summary
The "Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act" facilitates a land exchange between the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the United States government in San Bernardino County, California. The Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 1,475 acres of National Forest System land to the Nation in exchange for approximately 1,460 acres of land owned by the Nation. The land acquired by the Secretary will become part of the San Bernardino National Forest.
Expected Effects
This exchange aims to consolidate land holdings for both the Nation and the Forest Service, potentially improving land management efficiency. The Nation is required to enter into an agreement to preserve the historical and cultural integrity of the Arrowhead landmark site. The Act also ensures continued access for the Forest Service to certain roads within the exchanged land.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlines land management for both the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the U.S. Forest Service.
- Preserves the historical and cultural integrity of the Arrowhead landmark.
- Potentially enhances recreational opportunities within the San Bernardino National Forest.
- Supports the self-determination of a federally recognized tribe.
- Clarifies land ownership, reducing potential conflicts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential loss of public access to specific areas of the National Forest System land being exchanged.
- Possible environmental impacts associated with future development on the land acquired by the Nation.
- Requires careful monitoring to ensure the preservation agreement for the Arrowhead landmark is effectively implemented.
- The exchange may set a precedent for similar land exchanges, potentially impacting other National Forest lands.
- There is a slight acreage difference, with the federal land being slightly larger, which could be perceived as a minor loss of federal land.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and regulate territory or other property belonging to the United States. Additionally, the Act's provisions regarding the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation could be viewed in light of the federal government's trust responsibility to Native American tribes.
The Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments. The land exchange is a specific action that does not broadly affect constitutional principles.
However, the long-term impacts on environmental resources and public access should be carefully considered to ensure compliance with other relevant federal laws and regulations.
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).