Summary:
American Mineral Security Act of 2015

 This bill amends the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to direct the President to: (1) establish an analytical and forecasting capability for identifying critical mineral market factors so as to avoid supply shortages, mitigate price volatility, and prepare for demand growth and other market shifts; and (2) encourage federal agencies to facilitate development and production of domestic resources to meet national critical material and minerals needs.

The Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (Director) shall publish in the Federal Register a methodology for determining which minerals qualify as critical minerals, and review it at least every two years.

The Director is also required, within four years after enactment of this Act, to complete a comprehensive national assessment of each critical mineral.

Both the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service of the Department of Agricultureshall: (1) complete federal permitting and review processes governing critical mineral production on federal land with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, and (2) report to Congress on additional measures and implementation options.

 Prescribes a Federal Register notice process for the issuance of a critical mineral exploration or mine permit.

The Department of Energy shall conduct research and development to promote: (1) the production, use, and recycling of critical minerals throughout the supply chain; and (2) develop alternatives to critical minerals that do not occur in significant abundance in the United States.

The Director shall publish an annual report that includes, as part of the Mineral Commodity Summaries, a comprehensive review of critical mineral production, consumption, and recycling patterns.

The Department of Labor (DOL) must assess the domestic availability of technically trained personnel with the necessary skillset for critical mineral activities.

The Director and the DOL shall jointly arrange with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to coordinate with the National Science Foundation on a study to design an interdisciplinary program on critical minerals that will support the critical mineral supply chain and increase domestic critical mineral development.

The Director and the DOL shall also jointly conduct a competitive grant program for institutions of higher education to implement integrated critical mineral education, training, and workforce development programs.

The National Critical Materials Act of 1984 is repealed.

bill amends direct president establish analytical forecasting capability identifying critical mineral market factors avoid supply shortages mitigate price volatility prepare demand growth market shifts encourage federal agencies facilitate development production domestic resources meet national critical material minerals needs director director shall publish federal_register methodology determining minerals qualify critical minerals review years director required years enactment act complete comprehensive national assessment critical mineral forest_service complete federal permitting review processes governing critical mineral production federal land maximum efficiency effectiveness report congress additional measures implementation options prescribes federal_register notice process issuance critical mineral exploration permit department_of_energy shall conduct research development promote production use recycling critical minerals supply chain develop alternatives critical minerals occur significant abundance united_states director shall publish annual report includes comprehensive review critical mineral production consumption recycling patterns department_of_labor dol assess domestic availability technically trained personnel necessary critical mineral activities director dol shall jointly arrange national_academy_of_sciences national_academy_of_engineering coordinate national_science_foundation study design interdisciplinary program critical minerals support critical mineral supply chain increase domestic critical mineral development director dol shall jointly conduct competitive grant program institutions higher education implement integrated critical mineral education training workforce development programs national_critical_materials_act repealed


Summary:
State Grazing Management Authority Act

Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to require the Bureau of Land Management, upon the request of a state governor, to enter into 20-year cooperative agreements providing for a state to manage grazing allotments on eligible federal land in that state. Defines "eligible federal land" as public land that is subject to a grazing permit or lease issued by the Bureau, excluding a unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System or an area of critical environmental concern.

Prohibits any state from managing more than two allotments at any one time unless waived by the Bureau.

Requires such a cooperative agreement to assign to the state the Bureau's responsibilities with respect to the grazing allotments managed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, including the responsibility for determining whether the following actions for those allotments qualify for a categorical exclusion under such Act:

 the conduct of vegetation projects; the conduct of pinyon or juniper treatments; and determinations with respect to the number of permitted animal unit months. Requires a cooperative agreement to provide for the state to develop a process to resolve disputes relating to a decision by the state with respect to management of an allotment.

act amends federal land policy management act require bureau_of_land_management request state governor enter year cooperative agreements providing state manage grazing allotments eligible federal land state defines eligible federal land public land subject grazing permit lease issued bureau excluding unit national_wilderness_preservation_system area critical environmental concern prohibits state managing allotments time waived bureau requires cooperative agreement assign state bureau responsibilities respect grazing allotments managed national environmental policy act including responsibility determining following actions allotments qualify categorical exclusion act conduct vegetation projects conduct pinyon juniper treatments determinations respect number permitted animal unit months requires cooperative agreement provide state develop process resolve disputes relating decision state respect management allotment


Summary:
Eastern Nevada Land Implementation Improvement Act

 Amends the Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 (the Act) to require implementation of a multispecies habitat conservation plan in Lincoln County, Nevada.

Amends the Act and the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 to make certain amounts available for comprehensive, cost-effective, and multijurisdictional hazardous fuels reduction projects and wildfire prevention planning (particularly for pinyon-juniper dominated landscapes) and other rangeland and woodland restoration projects within the county, consistent with the Ely Resource Management Plan and subject to approval by the Department of the Interior.

Requires establishment of cooperative agreements between the Bureau of Land Management and Lincoln County for certain county-provided law enforcement and planning related activities.

Requires the use of a portion of proceeds from land sales under both Acts for the Lincoln County Regional Development Authority or any other county economic development organization.

Excludes specified public land within certain utility corridors in Lincoln and Clark Counties, Nevada, from being withdrawn from public land, mining, and mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws.

Amends the Pam White Wilderness Act to adjust the boundary of the Mt. Moriah Wilderness to include specified lands. Adjusts the boundary of the High Schells Wilderness to include and exclude specified lands.

Amends the Nevada Wilderness Protection Act of 1989 to adjust the boundary of the Arc Dome Wilderness to exclude specified land.

Amends the Mesquite Lands Act of 1988 to require the proceeds of the sales of certain parcels of land by Interior to the city of Mesquite, Nevada, to be made available for use for the development and implementation of a conservation plan to benefit fish and wildlife species of the Virgin River in Clark County (rather than, as currently, for development of a multispecies habitat conservation plan).

amends act require implementation multispecies habitat conservation plan lincoln_county nevada amends act development act certain amounts available comprehensive cost effective multijurisdictional hazardous fuels reduction projects wildfire prevention planning particularly pinyon juniper landscapes rangeland woodland restoration projects county consistent subject approval department_of_the_interior requires establishment cooperative agreements bureau_of_land_management lincoln_county certain county provided law enforcement planning related activities requires use portion proceeds land sales acts county economic development organization excludes specified public land certain utility corridors lincoln nevada withdrawn public land mining mineral leasing geothermal leasing laws amends white wilderness act adjust boundary include specified lands adjusts boundary include exclude specified lands amends adjust boundary exclude specified land amends mesquite lands act require proceeds sales certain parcels land interior city mesquite nevada available use development implementation conservation plan benefit fish wildlife species virgin_river clark_county currently development multispecies habitat conservation plan


Summary:
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act

 This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to facilitate the construction and expansion of public target ranges by: (1) authorizing a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorizing a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for those costs; (3) limiting the federal share of those costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) requiring amounts provided for those costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years.

The United States shall be shielded from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function.

The bill urges the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.

target_practice marksmanship training support act bill amends pittman-robertson_wildlife_restoration_act facilitate construction expansion public target ranges authorizing state pay costs acquiring land expanding constructing public target range authorizing state elect allocate specified apportioned federal aid wildlife restoration fund costs limiting federal share costs act requiring amounts provided costs act remain available expenditure obligation fiscal years united_states shall shielded civil action claim money damages injury loss property personal injury death caused activity occurring public target range funded federal government pursuant act located federal land extent provided federal tort claims act respect exercise performance discretionary function bill urges forest_service bureau_of_land_management cooperate state local authorities entities carry waste removal activities federal land public target range encourage continued use target practice marksmanship training


Summary:
Prescribed Burn Approval Act of 2015

Bars any federal agency from authorizing a prescribed burn on federal land if, for the county or contiguous county in which the federal land is located, the grassland fire danger index indicates a high, very high, or extreme danger of grassland fire or the Forest Service has declared a very high or extreme fire danger, unless the agency obtains prior approval from the applicable state government and local fire officials.

Makes a federal agency that authorizes a prescribed burn liable for any damage to private property, notwithstanding the Federal Tort Claims Act or any state law.

prescribed burn approval act bars federal agency authorizing prescribed burn federal land county contiguous county federal land located grassland fire danger index indicates high high extreme danger grassland fire forest_service declared high extreme fire danger agency obtains prior approval applicable state government local fire officials makes federal agency authorizes prescribed burn liable damage private property notwithstanding federal tort claims act state law


Summary:
National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act

 Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to publish a national strategy to significantly increase the role of volunteers and partners in trail maintenance.

Requires the strategy to: (1) augment and support the capabilities of federal employees to carry out or contribute to trail maintenance; (2) provide opportunities for volunteers and partners to carry out trail maintenance in each region of the Forest Service; (3) address the barriers to increased volunteerism and partnerships; (4) prioritize increased volunteerism and partnerships in those regions with the most severe trail maintenance needs, and where backlogs are jeopardizing access to national forest lands; and (5) aim to increase trail maintenance by volunteers and partners by 100% within 5 years.

Directs USDA to study opportunities to improve trail maintenance by addressing opportunities to use fire crews in trail maintenance activities.

Deems a volunteer with a partner organization to be considered a federal employee for the purposes of civil claims relating to damage to, or loss of, personal property of a volunteer incident to volunteer services.

Sets forth provisions for the selection of priority areas for increased trail maintenance accomplishments.

Directs USDA to establish a pilot program to offset all or part of the land use fee for outfitting and guiding permits.

stewardship act directs department_of_agriculture usda publish national strategy significantly increase role volunteers partners trail maintenance requires strategy augment support capabilities federal employees carry contribute trail maintenance provide opportunities volunteers partners carry trail maintenance region forest_service address barriers increased volunteerism partnerships prioritize increased volunteerism partnerships regions severe trail maintenance needs backlogs jeopardizing access national forest lands aim increase trail maintenance volunteers partners years directs usda study opportunities improve trail maintenance addressing opportunities use fire crews trail maintenance activities deems volunteer partner organization considered federal employee purposes civil claims relating damage loss personal property volunteer incident volunteer services sets forth provisions selection priority areas increased trail maintenance accomplishments directs usda establish pilot program offset land use fee outfitting guiding permits


Summary:
Red River Private Property Protection Act

 Declares that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the Department of the Interior disclaims any right, title, and interest to certain lands along a stretch of the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma (the affected area) located south of the South Bank boundary line.

Directs the BLM, in identifying the current South Bank boundary line along the affected area, to commission a new survey that: (1) adheres to the gradient boundary survey method, (2) spans the entire length of the affected area, (3) is conducted by Licensed State Land Surveyors chosen by the Texas General Land Office, and (4) is completed within two years of enactment of this Act. Requires submission of the survey to the Texas General Land Office for approval.

Permits a private property owner who holds, right, title, or interest in the affected area, after the survey is completed and approved, to appeal public domain claims by the BLM to an Administrative Law Judge.

Instructs the BLM to:

 ensure that no parcels of land in the affected area are treated as federal land for the purpose of any resource management plan until the survey has been completed and approved and the parcel is no longer subject to further appeal, and, subsequently, offer any remaining identified federal lands for disposal by competitive sale for at least fair market value. Requires the BLM to submit to Congress a list of identified federal lands that have not been sold and the reasons why.

bureau_of_land_management blm department_of_the_interior right title interest certain lands stretch red_river texas oklahoma affected area located south boundary line directs blm identifying current boundary line affected area commission new survey adheres boundary survey method spans entire length affected area conducted chosen completed years enactment act requires submission survey approval permits private property owner holds right title interest affected area survey completed approved appeal public domain claims blm administrative law judge instructs blm ensure parcels land affected area treated federal land purpose resource management plan survey completed approved parcel longer subject appeal subsequently offer remaining identified federal lands disposal competitive sale fair market value requires blm submit congress list identified federal lands sold reasons


Summary:
Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2015

 Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to rename: (1) the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 as the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 1993, and (2) the Public Lands Corps as the Public Lands Service Corps (the Corps).

 Establishes the Corps in the Department of Commerce (as well as in the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, as under current law).

Requires: (1) establishment of a department-level office within the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the coordination of Corps activities; and (2) designation of a Corps coordinator for each agency within the Departments of the Interior, of Agriculture, and of Commerce that administers such activities. Establishes an Indian Youth Service Corps liaison.

Permits the enrollment of resource assistants and consulting interns. Sets a maximum enrollment term of two years.

Requires a recruitment program for the Corps.

Instructs the Department concerned, for purposes of training, to take into account training already received by Corps participants enrolled from qualified youth or conservation corps.

Describes the types of natural and cultural resources conservation projects that may be carried out by the Corps.

Authorizes the Corps to provide certain visitor and interpretation services.

Authorizes each Department to make: (1) arrangements for temporary housing for Corps participants in conservation centers, and (2) individual placements of consulting interns to perform management analysis activities for agencies under the Department's jurisdiction carrying out appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects.

Authorizes cooperative agreements and competitive grants for Indian tribes and qualified youth or conservation corps to establish Indian Youth Service Corps programs.

Requires the Secretary to issue management guidelines for programs of the Corps.

Revises requirements for: (1) participant living allowances to include certain travel costs; and (2) noncompetitive hiring status to cover Indian Youth Service Corps participants, resource assistants, and consulting interns.

Removes resource assistants from eligibility for national service educational awards.

public_lands_service corps act amends public_lands_corps_act rename public_lands_corps_act public_lands_corps public_lands_service_corps corps department_of_agriculture department_of_the_interior current law requires establishment department level office national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration coordination corps activities designation corps coordinator agency departments interior agriculture commerce administers activities establishes indian_youth_service_corps liaison permits enrollment resource assistants consulting interns sets maximum enrollment term years requires recruitment program corps instructs department concerned purposes training account training received corps participants enrolled qualified youth conservation corps describes types natural cultural resources conservation projects carried corps authorizes corps provide certain visitor interpretation services authorizes department arrangements temporary housing corps participants conservation centers individual placements consulting interns perform management analysis activities agencies department jurisdiction carrying appropriate natural cultural resources conservation projects authorizes cooperative agreements competitive grants indian tribes qualified youth conservation corps establish indian_youth_service_corps programs requires secretary issue management guidelines programs corps revises requirements participant living allowances include certain travel costs noncompetitive hiring status cover indian_youth_service_corps participants resource assistants consulting interns removes resource assistants eligibility national service educational awards


Summary:
Federal Land Access Act

This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act, with respect to rights-of-way for pipelines through federal lands, to redefine federal lands, for purposes of granting an application for a natural gas pipeline right-of-way, to mean all lands owned by the United States, except only those lands held in trust for an Indian or Indian tribe and lands on the outer Continental Shelf.

The exception for the National Park System is repealed, thereby authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to grant natural gas pipeline rights-of-way on National Park System land.

federal land access act bill amends mineral_leasing_act respect rights way pipelines federal lands redefine federal lands purposes granting application natural gas pipeline right way mean lands owned united_states lands held trust indian indian tribe lands outer continental_shelf exception national_park_system repealed authorizing secretary interior grant natural gas pipeline rights way national park system land


Summary:
Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of the Interior to develop and maintain a current, accurate multipurpose cadastre of federal real property (an inventory of real property of the federal government) to assist with federal land management activities, including resource development and conservation, agricultural use, active forest management, environmental protection, and use of real property. Authorizes Interior to enter into cost-sharing agreements with states to include any nonfederal land in a state in such cadastre. Limits the federal share of any such agreement to 50% of the total cost to a state for the development of the cadastre of the nonfederal land in the state.

Requires Interior to submit a report, covering all cadastres and inventories authorized, operated, or maintained by all executive agencies, on: (1) existing real property inventories or any components of any cadastre, (2) consolidation of inventories and components, (3) the use of existing inventories and components of any cadastre, (4) cost savings that will be achieved, and (5) recommendations for legislation.

 Requires Interior to: (1) make the cadastre required under this Act available on the Internet in a graphically geoenabled and searchable format; (2) ensure that the inventory required under this Act includes the identification of all lands and parcels suitable for disposal by resource management plans conducted under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; and (3) prevent the disclosure of the identity of any one or more parcels of land, buildings or facilities on the parcels or information related to those parcels, if this would impair or jeopardize national security or homeland defense.

reform act directs department_of_the_interior develop maintain current accurate multipurpose cadastre federal real property inventory real property federal government assist federal land management activities including resource development conservation agricultural use active forest management environmental protection use real property authorizes interior enter cost sharing agreements states include nonfederal land state cadastre limits federal share agreement total cost state development cadastre nonfederal land state requires interior submit report covering inventories authorized operated maintained executive agencies existing real property inventories components cadastre consolidation inventories components use existing inventories components cadastre cost savings achieved recommendations legislation requires interior cadastre required act available internet searchable format ensure inventory required act includes identification lands parcels suitable disposal resource management plans conducted federal_land_policy_and_management_act prevent disclosure identity parcels land buildings facilities parcels information related parcels impair jeopardize national security homeland defense


Summary:
American Helium Production Act of 2015

This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to permit the Department of the Interior to lease federal land for helium exploration, development, and production under substantially the same terms and conditions as federal land is leased for oil and gas exploration, development, and production.

Any lease issued for gas exploration or development in effect grants the lessee a right of first refusal to engage in helium exploration and production on land subject to the lease under the Mineral Leasing Act as well as under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands.

The Department shall collect a $5,000 permit processing fee per application at the time the final decision is made whether to issue a permit to drill under a helium lease.

The Bureau of Land Management must prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement for an agencywide helium exploration and development program.

bill amends mineral_leasing_act permit department_of_the_interior lease federal land helium exploration development production substantially terms conditions federal land leased oil gas exploration development production lease issued gas exploration development effect grants lessee right refusal engage helium exploration production land subject lease mineral leasing act mineral leasing act acquired lands department shall collect permit processing fee application time final decision issue permit drill helium lease bureau_of_land_management prepare programmatic environmental impact statement agencywide helium exploration development program


Summary:
Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2015

 Adjusts the boundary of the Arapaho National Forest in Colorado to incorporate approximately 92.95 acres of land generally depicted as 'The Wedge" on the map entitled "Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment" and identified as lots 3,4, 8, and 9 of section 13.

Permits such a lot to be included in the boundary adjustment only after the Department of Agriculture (USDA) obtains written permission from the lot owner or owners.

Requires the USDA to include all federal land within the boundary in the Bowen Gulch Protection Area established under the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993.

adjusts boundary colorado incorporate approximately acres land generally depicted wedge map entitled identified lots section permits lot included boundary adjustment department_of_agriculture usda obtains written permission lot owner owners requires usda include federal land boundary established colorado wilderness act


Summary: Amends federal law authorizing Rockingham County, Virginia, to use specified land transferred by the United States for a child care center to remove that use restriction.

amends federal law authorizing virginia use specified land transferred united_states child care center remove use restriction


Summary: This bill identifies specified mining claims in Alaska that qualify for certain relief under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and, accordingly, grants claimholders the opportunity to cure defects affecting such claims with respect to any prior period during which: (1) either the defects existed, or (2) there was a failure to pay claim maintenance fees.

bill identifies specified mining claims alaska qualify certain relief omnibus budget reconciliation act accordingly grants opportunity cure defects affecting claims respect prior period defects existed failure pay claim maintenance fees


Summary:
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act

Makes an employee of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in the agency or any other agency if: (1) the original appointment was competitive, (2) the employee has served under one or more time-limited appointments totaling more than 24 months without a break of two or more years, and (3) the employee's performance has been at an acceptable level.

makes employee land management agency serving time limited appointment competitive service eligible compete permanent appointment agency agency original appointment competitive employee served time limited appointments totaling months break years employee performance acceptable level


Summary:
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act of 2015

Makes an employee of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in the agency or any other agency if: (1) the original appointment was competitive, (2) the employee has served under one or more time-limited appointments totaling more than 24 months without a break of two or more years, and (3) the employee's performance has been at an acceptable level.


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include as "certain land located within the Kaibab National Forest" to be conveyed to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership approximately 25 acres of land at the Gila and Salt River Meridian, Coconino County.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated amends include certain land located conveyed approximately acres land gila


Summary:
National Forest Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2015

This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture to provide for each of FY2016-FY2018 matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation.

reauthorization act bill amends authorize department_of_agriculture provide fy2016 fy2018 matching funds certain administrative project expenses incurred


Summary:
National Forest Ecosystem Improvement Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), acting through the Forest Service, to identify, prioritize, and carry out ecosystem restoration projects on National Forest System land in accordance with applicable land and resource management plans, if any, to accomplish one or more of the following objectives:

 restore terrestrial habitat; sustain water quality, water flows, or watershed health and function; create, improve, or increase early seral habitat; carry out a needed timber stand improvement; reduce the risk or extent of insect or disease infestation; reduce wildland fire severity potential; implement a community wildfire protection plan; or establish, recover, or maintain ecosystem resiliency. USDA may not carry out an ecosystem restoration project on any area of System land in the National Wilderness Preservation System or on which removal of vegetation is prohibited by law.

USDA must accomplish restoration treatments throughout the National Forest System on 1 million acres using certain mechanical treatment methods and on another 1 million acres using prescribed fire.

USDA shall prepare an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for each ecosystem restoration project that accomplishes one or more objectives of this Act.

USDA shall study, develop, and describe in each ecosystem restoration project both the proposed action and a no-action alternative.

USDA shall establish within the Forest Service an arbitration program as an alternative dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial review for specified types of ecosystem restoration projects.

The judicial review of an action challenging an ecosystem restoration project under this Act shall be subject to specified plaintiff bonding requirements.

A categorical exclusion is made available to USDA for certain forest management activities in order to: (1) expedite specified critical response actions, (2) expedite salvage operations in response to catastrophic events, and (3) meet forest plan goals for early successional forests.

(A "categorical exclusion" under NEPA is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required.)

For each forest management activity covered by a categorical exclusion granted by this title, USDA shall satisfy the interagency consultation obligations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by achieving compliance with certain alternative consultation procedures established by federal regulation.

bill directs department_of_agriculture usda acting forest_service identify prioritize carry ecosystem restoration projects national_forest_system land accordance applicable land resource management plans accomplish following objectives restore terrestrial habitat sustain water quality water flows watershed health function create improve increase early habitat carry needed timber stand improvement reduce risk extent insect disease infestation reduce wildland fire severity potential implement community wildfire protection plan establish recover maintain ecosystem resiliency usda carry ecosystem restoration project area system land national_wilderness_preservation_system removal vegetation prohibited law usda accomplish restoration treatments national_forest_system million acres certain mechanical treatment methods million acres prescribed fire usda shall prepare environmental assessment accordance national_environmental_policy_act nepa ecosystem restoration project objectives act usda shall study develop describe ecosystem restoration project proposed action action alternative usda shall establish forest_service arbitration program alternative dispute resolution process lieu judicial review specified types ecosystem restoration projects judicial review action challenging ecosystem restoration project act shall subject specified plaintiff bonding requirements categorical exclusion available usda certain forest management activities order expedite specified critical response actions expedite salvage operations response catastrophic events meet forest plan goals early forests categorical exclusion nepa category actions individually cumulatively significant effect human environment found effect procedures adopted federal agency implementing environmental regulations environmental assessment environmental impact statement required forest management activity covered categorical exclusion granted title usda shall satisfy interagency consultation obligations endangered species act achieving compliance certain alternative consultation procedures established federal regulation


Summary:
National Forest Small Tracts Act Amendments Act of 2015

 Amends the Small Tract Act of 1983 (the Act) to permit the sale, exchange, or interchange under such Act of National Forest System lands the sale or exchange of which is not practicable under any other authority of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) which have a value determined to be not more than $500,000.

Includes as those lands permitted to be sold, exchanged, or interchanged under the Act:

 parcels of 40 acres or less that are determined to be physically isolated, to be inaccessible, or to have lost their National Forest character; parcels of 10 acres or less which are not eligible for conveyance under such Act, but which are encroached on by a permanent habitable improvement for which there is no evidence that the encroachment was intentional or negligent; or parcels used as a cemetery, a landfill, or a sewage treatment plant under a special use authorization issued by the USDA. Requires any proceeds under this Act to be deposited in the special fund established under the Sisk Act and made available for:

 the acquisition of land or interests in land for administrative sites for the National Forest System (NFS) in the state from which the amounts were derived; the acquisition of land or interests in land for inclusion in the NFS in that state, including those which enhance opportunities for recreational access; the performance of deferred maintenance on administrative sites for the NFS in that state or other deferred maintenance activities in that state which enhance opportunities for recreational access; and the reimbursement of the USDA for costs incurred in preparing a competitive sale conducted under the authority of the Act.

amends small tract act act permit sale exchange interchange act national_forest_system lands sale exchange practicable authority department_of_agriculture usda value determined includes lands permitted sold exchanged act parcels acres determined physically isolated inaccessible lost national_forest character parcels acres eligible conveyance act permanent habitable improvement evidence encroachment intentional negligent parcels cemetery landfill sewage treatment plant special use authorization issued usda requires proceeds act deposited special fund established sisk act available acquisition land interests land administrative sites national_forest_system nfs state amounts derived acquisition land interests land inclusion nfs state including enhance opportunities recreational access performance deferred maintenance administrative sites nfs state deferred maintenance activities state enhance opportunities recreational access reimbursement usda costs incurred preparing competitive sale conducted authority act


Summary:
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015

This bill revises and reauthorizes the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act for 10 fiscal years after the bill's enactment.

(Sec. 2) The bill amends the findings and purposes of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act to include relevant findings since its enactment in 2000, including references to the 2011 and 2012 Lake Tahoe Forums and updated levels of support provided by public and private entities to the Lake Tahoe Basin since 1997.

(Sec. 3) The bill adds definitions, including "Environmental Improvement Program" as the program adopted by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and "forest management activity" to mean: (1) prescribed burning for ecosystem health and hazardous fuels reduction, (2) mechanical and minimum tool treatment, (3) stream environment zone restoration and other watershed and wildlife habitat enhancements, and (4) other activities consistent with practices of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture.

(Sec. 4) The bill adds additional requirements for the management of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, including by requiring the Forest Service to:

 coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state, local, and private entities, including local fire departments and volunteer groups; conduct forest management activities in the Basin in a manner that helps achieve and maintain the environmental threshold carrying capacities established by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and that attains multiple ecosystem benefits, unless such activities would excessively increase the cost of a program; and establish and monitor post-program ground condition criteria for ground disturbance caused by forest management activities. Subject to valid existing rights, the federal land located in the Basin is withdrawn from: (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing. A land conveyance is exempt from the withdrawal if it is carried out under the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act or the Santini-Burton Act.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit must support the attainment of the environmental threshold carrying capacities established by the Planning Agency.

The Forest Service may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with public and private entities to provide for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, Stream Environment Zone restoration, and similar management activities on federal and nonfederal land within programs in the Basin.

(Sec. 5) The bill mandates and funds priority programs in the Basin, including programs for fire risk reduction and forest management, invasive species management, stormwater management, erosion projects, and for the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery Program.

The bill imposes civil penalties up to $1,000 for launching a boat that is not decontaminated to prevent the spread of invasive species. (Sec. 6) The bill authorizes the Army Civil Works Division to enter into interagency agreements with nonfederal interests in the Basin to provide technical assistance for the Environmental Improvement Program.

The Forest Service, the EPA, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in coordination with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the states of California and Nevada, must develop and implement a plan for monitoring, assessment, and research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Environmental Improvement Program. The bill requires reporting on the status of all programs authorized by this bill.

The President must submit information as part of the President's annual budget about each federal agency involved in the Environmental Improvement Program. (Sec. 8) The Forest Service must reimburse two-thirds of the costs incurred by local utility districts for relocating facilities in connection with environmental restoration programs under this bill and erosion control programs.

A program provided assistance under this bill shall include signage at the program site that informs the public about the amount of federal funds being provided to the program and that displays the visual identity mark of the EPA. (Sec. 9) The bill amends the Santini-Burton Act to authorize: (1) a donation from the California Tahoe Conservancy and the California Department of Parks and Recreation to the Forest Service of 1,981 acres of land administered by the Conservancy and 187 acres of land administered by California State Parks; and (2) a transfer from the Forest Service to Nevada of 38.68 acres of land known as the Van Sickle Unit USFS Inholding and 92.28 acres of land known as the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park USFS Inholding.

lake tahoe restoration act bill revises reauthorizes lake_tahoe_restoration_act fiscal years bill enactment sec bill amends findings purposes lake_tahoe_restoration_act include relevant findings enactment including references lake tahoe forums updated levels support provided public private entities lake_tahoe_basin sec bill adds definitions including environmental improvement program program adopted tahoe_regional_planning_agency forest management activity mean prescribed burning ecosystem health hazardous fuels reduction mechanical minimum tool treatment stream environment zone restoration watershed wildlife habitat enhancements activities consistent practices forest_service department_of_agriculture sec bill adds additional requirements management lake_tahoe_basin_management_unit including requiring forest_service coordinate environmental_protection_agency epa state local private entities including local fire departments volunteer groups conduct forest management activities basin manner helps achieve maintain environmental threshold carrying capacities established tahoe_regional_planning_agency attains multiple ecosystem benefits activities excessively increase cost program establish monitor post program ground condition criteria ground disturbance caused forest management activities subject valid existing rights federal land located basin withdrawn forms entry appropriation disposal public land laws location entry patent mining laws disposition laws relating mineral geothermal leasing land conveyance exempt withdrawal carried lake_tahoe_restoration_act santini burton act lake_tahoe_basin_management_unit support attainment environmental threshold carrying capacities established forest_service enter contracts cooperative agreements public private entities provide fuel reduction erosion control reforestation restoration similar management activities federal nonfederal land programs basin sec bill mandates funds priority programs basin including programs fire risk reduction forest management invasive species management stormwater management erosion projects lahontan trout recovery program bill imposes civil penalties launching boat prevent spread invasive species sec bill authorizes enter interagency agreements nonfederal interests basin provide technical assistance environmental_improvement_program forest_service epa fish_and_wildlife_service coordination tahoe_regional_planning_agency states california nevada develop implement plan monitoring assessment research evaluate effectiveness environmental_improvement_program bill requires reporting status programs authorized bill president submit information president annual budget federal agency involved environmental_improvement_program sec reimburse thirds costs incurred local utility districts relocating facilities connection environmental restoration programs bill erosion control programs program provided assistance bill shall include signage program site informs public federal funds provided program displays visual identity mark epa sec bill amends santini burton act authorize donation california_tahoe_conservancy acres land administered conservancy acres land administered transfer forest_service nevada acres land known acres land known


Summary:
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Land Adjustment Act of 2015

Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to sell or exchange any or all interest of the United States in 30 tracts of National Forest System land in Georgia totaling approximately 3,841 acres.

Authorizes USDA to reserve any rights-of-way or other rights or interests in land sold or exchanged under this Act that is considered necessary for management purposes or to protect the public interest.

Prohibits USDA from selling or exchanging land under this Act for less than market value, as determined by an appraisal or through a competitive bid.

Requires proceeds to be used for the acquisition of land for national forest purposes in Georgia.

authorizes department_of_agriculture usda sell exchange interest united_states tracts national_forest_system land georgia totaling approximately acres authorizes usda reserve rights way rights interests land sold exchanged act considered necessary management purposes protect public interest prohibits usda selling exchanging land act market value determined appraisal competitive bid requires proceeds acquisition land national forest purposes georgia


Summary:
Restoring America's Watersheds Act of 2015

 Directs the Forest Service to establish a Water Source Protection Program for National Forest System land derived from the public domain.

Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into water source investment partnerships with specified end water users to protect and restore the condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water to non-federal partners.

Authorizes USDA to produce a water source management plan.

Directs the Forest Service to establish a Watershed Condition Framework for System land derived from the public domain to:

 evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, identify for restoration up to five priority watersheds in each National Forest and up to two priority watersheds in each national grassland, develop a watershed restoration action plan for each priority watershed, prioritize restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan, implement each watershed restoration action plan, and monitor the effectiveness of restoration actions and indicators of watershed health. Requires USDA, before awarding a contract funded by the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, to determine whether the contractor has the ability to complete the proposed restoration activities, including:

 the financial ability to raise the funds necessary, and sufficient capacity to perform the type and scope of those activities. Reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund for each of FY2016-FY2024.

watersheds act directs forest_service establish national_forest_system land derived public domain authorizes department_of_agriculture usda enter water source investment partnerships specified end water users protect restore condition national_forest watersheds provide water non federal partners authorizes usda produce water source management plan directs forest_service establish watershed condition framework system land derived public domain evaluate classify condition watersheds identify restoration priority watersheds national_forest priority watersheds national grassland develop watershed restoration action plan priority watershed prioritize restoration activities watershed restoration action plan implement watershed restoration action plan monitor effectiveness restoration actions indicators watershed health requires usda awarding contract funded determine contractor ability complete proposed restoration activities including financial ability raise funds necessary sufficient capacity perform type scope activities reauthorizes


Summary: This bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to require the Department of the Interior, in developing a comprehensive travel management plan for the land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Washington County, Utah, to ensure that the plan: (1) designates a northern transportation route in the County that follows the route depicted on the map titled "Washington Parkway," and (2) declares that the route's designation and construction are not subject to additional restrictions or requirements from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

bill amends omnibus_public_land_management_act require department_of_the_interior developing comprehensive travel management plan land managed bureau_of_land_management washington_county utah ensure plan designates northern transportation route county follows route depicted map titled washington parkway declares route designation construction subject additional restrictions requirements fish wildlife service


Summary:
Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act

This bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over specified Bureau of Land Management land within Meade County, South Dakota, from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Veterans Affairs for inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Upon transfer, the Cemetery's boundary is modified to include such land.

bill transfers administrative jurisdiction specified bureau_of_land_management land south_dakota inclusion transfer cemetery boundary modified include land


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Crags, Colorado Land Exchange Act of 2015

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), if the Broadmoor Hotel, Inc., (BHI) offers to convey to the USDA 320 acres of specified nonfederal land in the Pike National Forest in Teller County, Colorado, and a permanent trail easement for the Barr Trail in El Paso County, Colorado, to accept the offer and convey to BHI 83 acres of specified federal land within the Forest, together with a non-exclusive perpetual access easement for BHI to and from such land on Forest Service Road 371.

The nonexclusive perpetual access easement granted to BHI shall allow: (1) BHI to fully maintain, at its own expense, and use Forest Service Road 371 from its junction with Forest Service Road 368 in accordance with historic BHI use and maintenance patterns; and (2) full and continued public and administrative access and use of FSR 371 in accordance with the existing Forest Service travel management plan, or as it may be revised by USDA.

(Sec. 5) The USDA shall determine the values of the lands to be exchanged through appraisals following specified requirements. The values shall be equal, or if they are not equal, equalized as prescribed by this Act.

The appraised value of the federal land parcel shall not reflect any increase or diminution in value due to the existing special use permit to BHI on the parcel and its improvements.

The Barr Trail easement donation shall not be appraised for purposes of this Act.

(Sec. 6) The lands acquired by the USDA under this Act shall, without further USDA action, be permanently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation and disposal under the public land laws (including the mining and mineral leasing laws) and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1930, except to the extent necessary to permit the disposal of the federal land parcel to BHI.

The land acquired by the USDA under this Act shall become part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest.

It is the intent of Congress that the land exchange directed by this Act be completed within one year of this Act's enactment.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure act sec bill directs department_of_agriculture usda offers convey usda acres specified nonfederal land colorado permanent trail easement barr trail el_paso_county colorado accept offer convey acres specified federal land forest non exclusive perpetual access easement land forest_service road nonexclusive perpetual access easement granted shall allow fully maintain expense use forest_service road junction forest_service road accordance historic use maintenance patterns continued public administrative access use accordance existing forest_service travel management plan revised usda sec usda shall determine values lands exchanged appraisals following specified requirements values shall equal equal equalized prescribed act appraised value federal land parcel shall reflect increase diminution value existing special use permit parcel improvements easement donation shall appraised purposes act sec lands acquired usda act shall usda action permanently withdrawn forms appropriation disposal public land laws including mining mineral leasing laws geothermal steam act extent necessary permit disposal federal land parcel land acquired usda act shall intent congress land exchange directed act completed year act enactment


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) All interest of the United States in 148 acres of identified land shall be conveyed by patent to the Gordman-Leverich Partnership (GLP), a Colorado Limited Liability Partnership.

 The conveyance: (1) shall be subject to the valid existing rights of the lessee of federal oil and gas lease COC-75070 and any other valid existing rights, and (2) shall reserve to the United States the right to collect rent and royalty payments on such lease for its duration.

 The conveyance must: (1) be completed within 180 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) be without consideration, except that all costs incurred by the Department of the Interior relating to any survey, platting, legal description, or other activities carried out to prepare and issue the patent shall be paid to Interior by GLP before conveyance of the land.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure ranch white_river_national_forest conveyance act sec interest united_states acres identified land shall conveyed patent conveyance shall subject valid existing rights lessee federal oil gas lease valid existing rights shall reserve united_states right collect rent royalty payments lease duration conveyance completed days enactment act consideration costs incurred department_of_the_interior relating survey legal description activities carried prepare issue patent shall paid interior conveyance land


Summary:
Southern Utah Open OHV Areas Act

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey specified land owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Washington County, Utah, to the state of Utah in exchange for specified state lands.

Upon the conveyance of the nonfederal land to Interior, such land shall be used only:

 as an open riding area for the use of off-highway vehicles; or for any other recreational use that does not significantly impact the open use of such vehicles. Interior shall convey, without consideration, specified Open OHV Areas managed by the BLM to Washington County.

Such conveyed land shall be used primarily as an open riding area for the use of off-highway vehicles or for the construction, maintenance, replacement, or operation of:

 water storage or conveyance facilities; subsurface water recharge facilities; or solar or hydroelectric generation or transmission facilities. Before making such conveyance, Interior shall issue to the Washington County Water Conservancy District or the state:

 a 250-foot right-of-way for the construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement of a buried water conveyance pipeline and the associated construction, operation, and maintenance of subsurface water recharge facilities identified as Pipeline 1; and a 150-foot right-of-way for the construction and maintenance of solar and hydroelectric generation and transmission facilities identified as Transmission Line. Interior shall convey to the District or the state 214.8 acres of the County-conveyed Open OHV Areas land for the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair of a water storage facility and associated facilities identified as "Hurricane Cliffs Afterbay."

Before making the conveyance to the County, Interior shall issue to the District a 200-foot right-of-way for the construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement of a buried water conveyance pipeline in the Sand Hollow Regional Pipeline Corridor identified as Pipe Line 2.

bill directs department_of_the_interior convey specified land owned managed bureau_of_land_management blm washington_county utah state utah exchange specified state lands conveyance nonfederal land interior land shall open riding area use highway vehicles recreational use significantly impact open use vehicles interior shall convey consideration specified open areas managed blm washington_county conveyed land shall primarily open riding area use highway vehicles construction maintenance replacement operation water storage conveyance facilities subsurface water recharge facilities solar hydroelectric generation transmission facilities making conveyance interior shall issue state foot right way construction maintenance repair replacement buried water conveyance pipeline associated construction operation maintenance subsurface water recharge facilities identified pipeline foot right way construction maintenance solar hydroelectric generation transmission facilities identified interior shall convey district state acres county conveyed open areas land construction operation maintenance repair water storage facility associated facilities identified hurricane cliffs making conveyance county interior shall issue district foot right way construction maintenance repair replacement buried water conveyance pipeline sand regional pipeline corridor identified pipe line


Summary:
Moapa Band of Paiutes Land Conveyance Act

This bill requires that 25,977 acres in Nevada administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation be held in trust for the benefit of the Moapa Band of Paiutes and made part of the tribe's reservation.

Gaming is restricted on this land.

Eighty-eight acres held in fee by the tribe must be held in trust for the benefit of the tribe and made part of the tribe's reservation.

bill requires acres nevada administered bureau_of_land_management bureau_of_reclamation held trust benefit tribe reservation gaming restricted land acres held fee tribe held trust benefit tribe tribe reservation


Summary:
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which Interior awards grants to eligible entities (the states, their political subdivisions, special purpose districts, and Indian Tribes) for projects to: (1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes, and (2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.

As a condition for receiving a grant, an eligible entity shall provide matching funds in cash or in kind equal to 100% of the amounts available under the grant.

A grant recipient may use the grant to acquire land or water providing outdoor recreation opportunities to the public.

A grant may also be used to develop or renovate outdoor recreational facilities, with priority given to projects that:

 create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community; engage and empower underserved communities and youth; provide opportunities for youth employment or job training; establish or expand public-private partnerships; take advantage of coordination among various levels of government. Grant funds may not be used for specified costs, facilities, and activities, including the acquisition of lands or interests that restrict access to particular persons.

bill directs department_of_the_interior establish outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program interior awards grants eligible entities states political subdivisions special purpose districts indian tribes projects acquire land water parks outdoor recreation purposes develop new renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities condition receiving grant eligible entity shall provide matching funds cash kind equal amounts available grant grant recipient use grant acquire land water providing outdoor recreation opportunities public grant develop renovate outdoor recreational facilities priority given projects create significantly enhance access park recreational opportunities urban neighborhood community engage empower underserved communities youth provide opportunities youth employment job training establish expand public private partnerships advantage coordination levels government grant funds specified costs facilities activities including acquisition lands interests restrict access particular persons


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey, without consideration, to SEND North in Anchorage, Alaska, the reversionary interests of the United States in and to a specified area of 210 acres located in the city of Glennallen and owned by SEND North for the purpose of unencumbering its title and enabling its economic development.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill directs department_of_the_interior convey consideration send north anchorage alaska reversionary interests united_states specified area acres located city owned purpose unencumbering title enabling economic development


Summary:
American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act

 Sets at 2%, for a five-year period, the royalty rate on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from federal land.

year period royalty rate quantity gross value output sodium compounds related products point shipment market federal land


Summary:
Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to revise details of the Cooper Spur-Government Camp land exchange between the United States and Oregon.

After the final appraised value of the federal and nonfederal lands is determined and approved by Department of Agriculture (USDA), the USDA shall not be required to reappraise or update such value for a period of up to three years, unless the condition of any of the lands is significantly and substantially altered by fire, windstorm, or other events.

It is the intent of Congress that the land exchange be completed within one year of this Act's enactment.

Conveyance conditions are revised regarding reservation of a conservation easement for the protection of an identified wetland, reservation of a nonexclusive trail easement, and equalization of values of the exchange properties.

mount hood spur land exchange clarification act sec bill amends omnibus_public_land_management_act revise details cooper_spur-government_camp land exchange united_states oregon final appraised value federal nonfederal lands determined approved department_of_agriculture usda usda shall required update value period years condition lands significantly substantially altered fire windstorm events intent congress land exchange completed year act enactment conveyance conditions revised reservation conservation easement protection identified wetland reservation nonexclusive trail easement equalization values exchange properties


Summary:
Elimination of Double Subsidies for the Hardrock Mining Industry Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow the percentage depletion allowance for hardrock mines located on land currently subject to the general mining laws, or on land patented under such laws.

bill amends internal_revenue_code disallow percentage depletion allowance hardrock mines located land currently subject general mining laws land patented laws


Summary:
Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the reduced tax rate on the net timber gains of corporations, to: (1) adjust the formula for calculating such rate, and (2) make such reduced rate permanent.

timber revitalization economic enhancement act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect reduced tax rate net timber gains corporations adjust formula calculating rate reduced rate permanent


Summary:
Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization of 2015

Amends the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) to reauthorize and make permanent the program for the completion of appraisals and satisfaction of other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal in approved land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

Makes the FLTFA inapplicable to land eligible for sale under specified public land laws.

federal_land_transaction facilitation act reauthorization amends federal_land_transaction facilitation act fltfa reauthorize permanent program completion appraisals satisfaction legal requirements sale exchange public land identified disposal approved land use plans federal_land_policy_and_management_act makes fltfa inapplicable land eligible sale specified public land laws


Summary:
Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act

(Sec. 3) This bill transfers jurisdiction over approximately 200 acres of Bureau of Land Management land from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery, South Dakota.

The VA shall reimburse Interior for reasonable transfer costs, including survey costs.

 The cemetery's boundary is modified to include such federal land.

For the period such land is under the administrative jurisdiction of the VA, it shall be withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the geothermal leasing laws.

sec bill transfers jurisdiction approximately acres bureau_of_land_management land inclusion shall reimburse interior reasonable transfer costs including survey costs cemetery boundary modified include federal land period land administrative jurisdiction shall withdrawn forms appropriation public land laws including mining laws mineral leasing laws geothermal leasing laws


Summary:
Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the United States from issuing a patent for any mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site located unless a patent application meeting all applicable requirements was filed with the Department of the Interior by September 30, 1994.

The holder of each unpatented mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site shall pay Interior a maintenance fee of $150 for each claim, millsite, or tunnel site, as well as a location fee of $50.

Any claimholder failing to perform assessment work or fee a maintenance fee shall forfeit the claim, millsite, or tunnel site.

Production of all locatable minerals from any mining claim shall be subject to a reasonable royalty established by Interior of between 2% and 5% of the gross income from mining for production of all locatable minerals, which may be reduced in certain circumstances.

Interior shall establish a comprehensive inspection, collection, fiscal, and production accounting and auditing system

The bill prescribes requirements for exploration permits and mining permits.

Any mining operator shall provide Interior with specified financial assurances to ensure the completion of reclamation and the restoration of any land or water adversely affected by the mineral activities.

The operator shall restore land and water subject to mineral activities carried out under a permit to a condition capable of supporting:

 the uses that the land and water was capable of supporting before surface disturbance by the operator; or other beneficial uses that conform to applicable land use plans. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 is amended to require Interior, for land under the Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Agriculture, for National Forest System land, to review specified public lands, especially federal land in which mineral activities pose a reasonable likelihood of substantial adverse impacts on National Conservation System units, to inform decisions on withdrawal of land from mining operations.

The bill establishes the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund, administered by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past hardrock minerals and mining and related activities in abandoned hardrock mine states and on Indian land.

Each operator of a hardrock minerals mining operation shall pay, for deposit in the Fund, a reclamation fee of between 0.6% and 2% of the value of the annual production from the operation.

The bill prescribes civil penalties for violation of surface management or operation requirements and related regulations.

reclamation act bill prohibits united_states issuing patent mining claim millsite tunnel site located patent application meeting applicable requirements filed department_of_the_interior september holder unpatented mining claim millsite tunnel site shall pay interior maintenance fee claim millsite tunnel site location fee claimholder failing perform assessment work fee maintenance fee shall forfeit claim millsite tunnel site production locatable minerals mining claim shall subject reasonable royalty established interior gross income mining production locatable minerals reduced certain circumstances interior shall establish comprehensive inspection collection fiscal production accounting auditing system bill prescribes requirements exploration permits mining permits mining operator shall provide interior specified financial assurances ensure completion reclamation restoration land water adversely affected mineral activities operator shall restore land water subject mineral activities carried permit condition capable supporting uses land water capable supporting surface disturbance operator beneficial uses conform applicable land use plans federal_land_policy_and_management_act amended require interior land bureau_of_land_management department_of_agriculture national_forest_system land review specified public lands especially federal land mineral activities pose reasonable likelihood substantial adverse impacts units inform decisions withdrawal land mining operations bill establishes administered office_of_surface_mining_reclamation_and_enforcement reclamation restoration land water resources adversely affected past hardrock minerals mining related activities abandoned hardrock states indian land operator hardrock minerals mining operation shall pay deposit fund reclamation fee value annual production operation bill prescribes civil penalties violation surface management operation requirements related regulations


Summary:
Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to public lands, to implement authorized wildfire prevention projects in at-risk forests and on threatened and endangered species habitat in a manner that focuses on surface, ladder, and canopy fuels reduction activities.

Requires projects carried out on threatened and endangered species habitat to: (1) provide enhanced protection from wildfire, including catastrophic wildfire, for the endangered species, threatened species, or their habitat; and (2) comply with applicable recovery plan guidelines.

Requires projects carried out in at-risk forests to move the federal land from condition class II or III toward condition class I, as those classes were developed by the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in a specified general technical report.

Permits use in a project of: (1) domestic livestock grazing to reduce surface fuel loads and to recover burned areas; and (2) timber harvesting and thinning to reduce ladder and canopy fuel loads for the prevention of wildfire, including catastrophic wildfires.

Directs USDA and Interior to review public petitions for, and make determinations with respect to, the designation of federal lands as at-risk forests or as threatened and endangered species habitats.

Requires notice in the Federal Register of proposed projects and final designated projects and permits public comment on projects as specified.

Instructs USDA and Interior to prepare an environmental assessment for projects that include timber harvesting or grazing.

Instructs USDA and Interior to research what impact any listing of a species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 would have on both forage and timber forest fuel loads. Requires endangered species recovery plans and critical habitat determinations to include a wildfire risk assessment analysis.

catastrophic wildfire prevention act directs department_of_agriculture usda respect national_forest_system lands department_of_the_interior respect public lands implement authorized wildfire prevention projects risk forests threatened endangered species habitat manner focuses surface ladder canopy fuels reduction activities requires projects carried threatened endangered species habitat provide enhanced protection wildfire including catastrophic wildfire endangered species threatened species habitat comply applicable recovery plan guidelines requires projects carried risk forests federal land condition class iii condition class classes developed forest_service specified general technical report permits use project domestic livestock grazing reduce surface fuel loads recover burned areas timber harvesting thinning reduce ladder canopy fuel loads prevention wildfire including catastrophic wildfires directs usda interior review public petitions determinations respect designation federal lands risk forests threatened endangered species habitats requires notice federal_register proposed projects final designated projects permits public comment projects specified instructs usda interior prepare environmental assessment projects include timber harvesting grazing instructs usda interior research impact listing species endangered species act forage timber forest fuel loads requires endangered species recovery plans critical habitat determinations include wildfire risk assessment analysis


Summary:
Udall Park Land Exchange Completion Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey, without consideration, to the city of Tucson, Arizona, the reversionary interest of the United States in and to an approximately 172.8-acre parcel of land owned by the city for the purpose of unencumbering the title to such land to enable its economic development.

bill directs department_of_the_interior convey consideration city tucson arizona reversionary interest united_states approximately acre parcel land owned city purpose unencumbering title land enable economic development


Summary:
RPPA Commercial Recreation Concessions Pilot Program Act of 2015

This bill amends the Recreation and Public Purposes Act to direct the Department of the Interior to establish a pilot program that authorizes commercial recreation concessions on land patented or leased under the Act.

Interior shall enter into at least 10 agreements with parties to whom such land has been patented or leased for the establishment of these concessions.

A party to such an agreement may enter into agreements with third parties to establish such concessions.

commercial recreation concessions pilot program act bill amends recreation_and_public_purposes_act direct department_of_the_interior establish pilot program authorizes commercial recreation concessions land patented leased act interior shall enter agreements parties land patented leased establishment concessions party agreement enter agreements parties establish concessions


Summary:
Utah Test and Training Range Encroachment Prevention and Temporary Closure Act

TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CERTAIN PUBLIC LAND ADJACENT TO THE UTAH TEST AND TRAINING RANGE

(Sec. 102) This bill directs the Departments of the Interior and the Air Force to enter into a memorandum of agreement to authorize the Air Force to impose limited closures of approximately 703,621 acres of specified public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Utah for military operations and national security and public safety purposes.

Within 180 days of enactment of this bill, Interior and the Air Force shall complete a draft of the memorandum of agreement.

During the 30-day period beginning when the draft is completed, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the draft, including an opportunity for the Utah Test and Training Range Community Resource Advisory Group established by this bill to comment on it.

The memorandum of agreement shall allow Interior to continue management of the BLM land in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and applicable land use plans, while allowing for temporary closure of such land.

Interior and the Air Force shall establish within the memorandum of agreement a framework for resolving any disagreement over the issuance of permits or rights-of-way on the BLM land.

The bill states that the memorandum of agreement shall be for a term to be determined by Interior and the Air Force, not exceeding 25 years. The memorandum may be terminated earlier if the Air Force determines that temporary closure of the BLM land is no longer necessary to fulfill Utah Test and Training Range mission requirements.

If corrective action is necessary on the BLM land as a result of an action of the Air Force, the Air Force shall:

 render the land safe for public use, and communicate the safety of the land to Interior when it is rendered safe for such use. Nothing in this title impacts grazing management on the BLM land.

Interior shall continue management of grazing on the BLM land pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and applicable resource management plans.

The BLM land is withdrawn from appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, mineral leasing laws, and geothermal leasing laws.

 (Sec. 103) If military operations (including operations related to fulfillment of the mission of the Utah Test and Training Range), public safety, or national security require the temporary closure of the use of roads, trails, or other portions of the BLM land to the public, the Air Force may take necessary action to carry out such closure. The bill limits such closures to minimum areas and specifies the maximum duration of such closures.

The Air Force shall provide notice to Interior, the public, or relevant stakeholders concerning a temporary closure:

 at least 30 days before the closure goes into effect; for a closure beginning on March 1 and ending on May 31, at least 60 days before the closure goes into effect; or for certain other closures at least 90 days before the closure goes into effect. In case a mission-unique security requirement does not allow for such notifications, the Air Force shall work with Interior to achieve a mutually agreeable timeline for a notification.

The total cumulative number of hours of temporary closures respecting the BLM land shall not exceed 100 hours annually.

The northernmost area identified as Newfoundland's on a specified map shall not be subject to any temporary closure between August 21 and February 28, in accordance with lawful hunting seasons in Utah.

Livestock authorized by a federal grazing permit shall be allowed to remain on the BLM land during a temporary closure.

Interior and the Air Force may enter into cooperative agreements with state and local law enforcement officials with respect to the lawful procedures and protocols to be used in promoting public safety and operation security on or near the BLM land during noticed test and training periods.

(Sec. 104) The United States (including all departments, agencies, officers, and employees of the United States) shall be held harmless and shall not be liable for any injury or damage to any individual or property as a result of mining, mineral, or geothermal activities, or other authorized nondefense-related activities, conducted on the BLM land.

(Sec. 105) The bill establishes the Utah Test and Training Range Community Resource Advisory Group to give input to Interior and the Air Force on matters involving public access to, use of, and management of the BLM land.

Such Group shall terminate 10 years after this bill's enactment.

(Sec. 106) Nothing in this title expands the boundaries of the weapon impact area of the Utah Test and Training Range.

Nothing in this title, except as provided in section 103 of this bill, limits or alters an existing right or right of access to:

 the Knolls Special Recreation Management Area, or the BLM Community Pits Central Grayback and South Grayback, and any other county or community pit in close proximity to the BLM land. Nothing in this title alters any right reserved by treaty or federal law for federally recognized Indian tribes for tribal use.

Nothing in this title diminishes, enhances, or otherwise affects any other right or entitlement of the counties in which the BLM land is located to payments under the Payment In Lieu of Taxes program.

Interior and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources shall continue with the management of wildlife improvements, including guzzlers, already in existence on the BLM land.

TITLE II--BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND EXCHANGE WITH STATE OF UTAH

(Sec. 202) Interior shall convey to the state of Utah, acting through the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, BLM land in Box Elder, Millard, Juab, Tooele, and Beaver Counties, in exchange for nonfederal land owned by Utah in Box Elder, Juab, and Tooele Counties.

The values of the federal and nonfederal lands to be exchanged shall be determined by appraisals conducted by at least one independent and qualified appraiser. Such an appraisal shall be submitted to Interior and Utah for approval and its cost shall be paid equally by Interior and Utah.

With Interior's consent, Interior and Utah may agree to use an independent and qualified appraiser retained by Utah, and Interior shall reimburse Utah for 50% of the appraisal's cost.

Such appraisals: (1) shall be conducted according to nationally recognized appraisal standards, and (2) may take into account mineral and technical reports provided by Interior and Utah in evaluation of minerals in the federal and nonfederal lands.

Federal land that is encumbered by a mining or millsite claim that was located under the Mining Law of 1872 shall be appraised according to standard appraisal practices.

The bill expresses the intent of Congress that land exchanges be completed within a year of final approval of the appraisals .

At least 30 days before the conveyance of the federal and nonfederal lands, all final appraisals and appraisal reviews shall be available for public review at the office of the Utah Director of the BLM.

Either Interior or Utah shall publish in a newspaper in Salt Lake County, Utah, a notice that the appraisals conducted under this section are available for public inspection.

The values of the federal and nonfederal lands to be exchanged shall be equal or made equal in accordance with the equalization requirements set forth in this bill.

If the exchanged federal or nonfederal land is subject to a lease, permit, or contract for the grazing of domestic livestock, Interior and Utah shall allow such grazing to continue for the remainder of its term, subject to the related terms and conditions of user agreements, including permitted stocking rates, grazing fee levels, access rights, and ownership and use of range improvements.

A holder of any grazing lease, permit, or contract shall be entitled to a right to renew.

Except as necessary to accommodate surface operations in support of mineral development, Interior or Utah shall not cancel or modify a grazing permit, lease, or contract because the land subject to it has been leased for such development.

If nonfederal land conveyed by Utah is used by a grazing permittee or lessee to meet the base property requirements for a federal grazing permit or lease, the land shall continue to qualify as a base property for the remaining term of the lease or permit, and the term of any renewal or extension of it.

The federal land to be conveyed to Utah is withdrawn from mineral location, entry, and patent under the mining laws pending its conveyance.

(Sec. 203) The nonfederal land conveyed to the United States shall be managed according to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and applicable land use plans.

Upon conveyance, the nonfederal land located within the Cedar Mountains Wilderness shall be added to and administered as part of such Wilderness.

Upon conveyance, nonfederal land in a national wilderness area or national conservation area shall be managed according to the applicable provisions with respect to Washington County, Utah, under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.

(Sec. 204) The costs of remedial actions related to hazardous materials on acquired land shall be paid by the entities responsible for those costs under applicable law.

The Air Force shall be responsible for all costs of evaluation, management, and remediation caused by previous testing of military weapons systems and the training of military forces on the nonfederal land conveyed to the United States.

training range encroachment prevention temporary closure act title authorization temporary closure certain public land adjacent utah test training range sec bill directs departments interior air_force enter memorandum agreement authorize air_force impose limited closures approximately acres specified public land administered bureau_of_land_management blm utah military operations national security public safety purposes days enactment bill interior air_force shall complete draft memorandum agreement day period beginning draft completed shall opportunity public comment draft including opportunity established bill comment memorandum agreement shall allow interior continue management blm land accordance federal_land_policy_and_management_act applicable land use plans allowing temporary closure land interior air force shall establish memorandum agreement framework resolving disagreement issuance permits rights way blm land bill states memorandum agreement shall term determined interior air_force exceeding years memorandum terminated earlier air_force determines temporary closure blm land longer necessary fulfill training range mission requirements corrective action necessary blm land result action air_force air force shall render land safe public use communicate safety land interior rendered safe use title impacts grazing management blm land interior shall continue management grazing blm land pursuant federal_land_policy_and_management_act applicable resource management plans blm land withdrawn appropriation public land laws including mining laws mineral leasing laws geothermal leasing laws sec military operations including operations related fulfillment mission utah test training range public safety national security require temporary closure use roads trails portions blm land public air_force necessary action carry closure bill limits closures minimum areas specifies maximum duration closures air_force shall provide notice interior public relevant stakeholders concerning temporary closure days closure goes effect closure beginning march ending days closure goes effect certain closures days closure goes effect case mission unique security requirement allow notifications air_force shall work interior achieve mutually timeline notification total cumulative number hours temporary closures respecting blm land shall exceed hours annually area identified specified map shall subject temporary closure august february accordance lawful hunting utah livestock authorized federal grazing permit shall allowed remain blm land temporary closure interior air_force enter cooperative agreements state local law enforcement officials respect lawful procedures protocols promoting public safety operation security near blm land test training periods sec united_states including departments agencies officers employees united_states shall held harmless shall liable injury damage individual property result mining mineral geothermal activities authorized nondefense related activities conducted blm land sec bill establishes input interior air_force matters involving public access use management blm land group shall terminate years bill enactment sec title expands boundaries weapon impact area title provided section bill limits alters existing right right access pits central south county community pit close proximity blm land title alters right reserved treaty federal law federally recognized indian tribes tribal use title diminishes enhances affects right entitlement counties blm land located payments payment lieu taxes program interior shall continue management wildlife improvements including existence blm land title bureau land management land exchange sec interior shall convey state utah acting blm land box elder counties exchange nonfederal land owned utah values federal nonfederal lands exchanged shall determined appraisals conducted independent qualified appraiser appraisal shall submitted interior utah approval cost shall paid equally interior utah interior consent interior utah agree use independent qualified appraiser retained utah interior shall reimburse utah appraisal cost appraisals shall conducted according nationally recognized appraisal standards account mineral technical reports provided interior utah evaluation minerals federal nonfederal lands federal land mining millsite claim located mining law shall appraised according standard appraisal practices bill expresses intent congress land exchanges completed year final approval appraisals days conveyance federal nonfederal lands final appraisals appraisal reviews shall available public review office utah director blm interior utah shall publish newspaper salt_lake_county utah notice appraisals conducted section available public inspection values federal nonfederal lands exchanged shall equal equal accordance equalization requirements set forth bill exchanged federal nonfederal land subject lease permit contract grazing domestic livestock interior utah shall allow grazing continue remainder term subject related terms conditions user agreements including permitted stocking rates grazing fee levels access rights ownership use range improvements holder grazing lease permit contract shall entitled right renew necessary accommodate surface operations support mineral development interior utah shall cancel modify grazing permit lease contract land subject leased development nonfederal land conveyed utah grazing permittee lessee meet base property requirements federal grazing permit lease land shall continue qualify base property remaining term lease permit term renewal extension federal land conveyed utah withdrawn mineral location entry patent mining laws pending conveyance sec nonfederal land conveyed united_states shall managed according federal_land_policy_and_management_act applicable land use plans conveyance nonfederal land located shall added administered wilderness conveyance nonfederal land national wilderness area national conservation area shall managed according applicable provisions respect washington_county utah omnibus_public_land_management_act sec costs remedial actions related hazardous materials acquired land shall paid entities responsible costs applicable law air_force shall responsible costs evaluation management remediation caused previous testing military weapons systems training military forces nonfederal land conveyed united_states