Gila County could receive federal land to serve military veterans

The Agriculture Secretary would transfer the federal property to Gila County if the county requests it. The property includes about 232.9 acres and improvements at the Pleasant Valley administrative site in Arizona's Tonto National Forest; a survey would set the exact boundaries. Existing legal rights would remain protected. The federal government would transfer only the ownership interest it holds, and the Secretary could set other terms to protect federal interests. The county must submit its written request within 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Gila County would have to use the transferred land only to serve and support military veterans. The restriction would cover land transferred to Gila County under this bill. If any transferred land is used for another purpose, the Agriculture Secretary could choose to return ownership of that land to the federal government.

Gila County would pay all transfer costs, and the Secretary would not have to provide environmental promises or guarantees. These terms would apply to the land and improvements transferred to the county. Covered costs include any necessary survey and reviews required by federal environmental and historic preservation laws. The exception to providing environmental promises or guarantees would apply despite the cited federal cleanup law.