Strengthening Federal Land Management Act

Bill Introduction

This Act may be cited as the “Strengthening Federal Land Management Act of [Year]”.

1. (a) The term ‘Federal land’ has the meaning given by section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1730).
2. (b) The term ‘qualified land grant-merced’ has the meaning given by section 101(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712).

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Purposes and Objectives

The purposes of this Act are:

1. (a) to promote the free flow of private property rights; (b) to improve the administration of the public lands managed by the Federal Government, including the management of multiple-use lands;
2. (c) to increase the availability of public land for leasing under the general mining statute;
3. (d) to provide a fair and orderly process for the resolution of disputes over the use of public land.

Provisions

This Act may be cited as the “Strengthening Federal Land Management Act of [Year]”.

1. SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.
2. (a) Short title; in general.—This Act may be cited as the “Strengthening Federal Land Management Act of [Year]”.

The rest of this Act consists of sections 2–13.

Section 2. Definitions

This section defines terms used in the Act.

1. (a) In general.—In this section, a reference to an agency is a reference to an executive department or independent agency of the United States.
2. (b) Definition of ‘qualified land grant-merced.’

Section 3. Purpose and scope

This section states the purposes of the Act.

1. (a) Promoting free flow of private property rights.—The Congress finds that:
2. (i) Private property rights are fundamental to individual liberty;
3. (ii) The acquisition and transfer of private property rights under the general mining statute provide an alternative means for acquiring public land without resorting to other statutory authorities; and
4. (iii) The acquisition and transfer of private property rights have a more immediate and direct effect on individuals and communities than do other statutory authorities.

Section 4. Authority to issue permits

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for certain activities on public lands.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), issue an authorization to engage in a project or activity on the land managed by that agency.
2. (b) Limits on permits; exceptions.

Section 5. Public lands leasing authority

This section expands the leasing authority for public lands.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), lease the surface and subsurface rights in any public land under an oil or gas lease.
2. (b) Limits on leasing authority.

Section 6. Dispute resolution

This section establishes a process for resolving disputes over public land use.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), issue an authorization to engage in a project or activity on the land managed by that agency.
2. (b) Limits on permits; exceptions.

Section 7. Administrative appeals

This section establishes a process for appealing decisions made by land management agencies.

1. (a) In general.—Any person who is adversely affected by an action of the Secretary in connection with the administration of any Federal law, regulation, or executive order may file an administrative appeal.
2. (b) Limitation on appeals; exception.

Section 8. Public lands leasing authority

This section expands the leasing authority for public lands.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), lease the surface and subsurface rights in any public land under an oil or gas lease.
2. (b) Limits on leasing authority.

Section 9. Public lands leasing authority

This section expands the leasing authority for public lands.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), lease the surface and subsurface rights in any public land under an oil or gas lease.
2. (b) Limits on leasing authority.

Section 10. Land transfer authority

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to transfer public lands to Indian tribes.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), transfer ownership of any public land in its trust portfolio to an eligible Indian tribe;
2. (b) Limitation.

Section 11. Administrative appeals

This section establishes a process for appealing decisions made by land management agencies.

1. (a) In general.—Any person who is adversely affected by an action of the Secretary in connection with the administration of any Federal law, regulation, or executive order may file an administrative appeal.
2. (b) Limitation on appeals; exception.

Section 12. Land transfer authority

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to transfer public lands to Indian tribes.

1. (a) In general.—The head of a land management agency may, subject to subsection (b), transfer ownership of any public land in its trust portfolio to an eligible Indian tribe;
2. (b) Limitation.

Section 13. Effective date

This section establishes the effective date for the Act.

1. (a) In general.—This Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.