Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2026

(a) In general. Consistent with section 3(b) of Public Law 96–586 (commonly known as the Santini-Burton Act; 94 Stat. 3381), and subject to valid existing rights, on receipt of a request by the State or County and subject to such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary shall convey the Forest Service land or interests in Forest Service land described in subsection (b) to the State or County, without consideration, to protect the environmental quality and public recreational use of the conveyed Forest Service land and manage consistent with Public Law 96–586 (commonly known as the Santini-Burton Act 94 Stat. 3381).

(b) Description of land. The land referred to in subsection (a) is any Forest Service land that is located within the boundaries of the area acquired under Public Law 96–586 (commonly known as the Santini-Burton Act; 94 Stat. 3381) that is—

(1) unsuitable for Forest Service administration; and

(2) necessary for a public purpose.

(c) Use of land. A parcel of land conveyed pursuant to subsection (a) shall—

(1) be managed by the State or County, as applicable—

(A) to maintain undeveloped open space and to preserve the natural characteristics of the transferred land in perpetuity; and

(B) to protect and enhance water quality, stream environment zones, and important wildlife habitat; and

(2) be used by the State or County, as applicable, for recreation or other public purposes including trails, trailheads, fuel reduction, flood control, and other infrastructure consistent with Public Law 96–586 (commonly known as the Santini-Burton Act; 94 Stat. 3381).

(d) Reversion. If a parcel of land transferred under subsection (a) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with subsection (c) or Public Law 96–586, the parcel of land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture, revert to the United States.

(e) Costs. Any costs associated with the conveyance under subsection (a), including, but not limited to, costs of surveys, appraisal, environmental response and restoration, and administrative costs including closing fees, shall be paid by the State or county.

(f) Easements. As a condition of conveyance of the land conveyed under subsection (a), access easements for roads and trails shall be reserved in the deed at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.

(g) Survey. The exact acreage and legal description of the land to be conveyed shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary of Agriculture.

(h) Minor errors. The Secretary and the State or county may, by mutual agreement, make minor boundary adjustments to the parcels of Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (a) and correct any minor errors in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description.

(i) Additional terms and conditions. With respect to the conveyance under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture may require such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.