H.R. 837, Public Law 119-126

The law makes the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site available to the county at no purchase price for veteran-focused uses, while allowing federal repossession if that purpose changes.

What the law does ​

• Requires the Agriculture Secretary to transfer the designated land and improvements if Gila County requests them within 180 days of enactment.
• Requires Gila County to pay all transfer costs, including surveys and environmental and historic-preservation reviews.
• Subjects the transfer to existing valid rights and any added conditions needed to protect federal interests.
• Allows the Secretary to return the property to federal ownership if it is used for purposes other than serving and supporting Armed Forces veterans.
• Sets the final acreage and legal description through a survey acceptable to the Secretary and provides no federal guarantee of the property’s environmental condition.

Who it affects ​

• Gila County, Arizona.
• Armed Forces veterans who may receive services or support at the property.
• The Department of Agriculture, which must oversee the transfer and may reclaim the site.

Breakdown ​

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona. ​

This law requires the Agriculture Secretary to transfer approximately 232.9 acres at the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site in Arizona to Gila County if the county requests it within 180 days after enactment. The county must use the property only to serve and support Armed Forces veterans, or the Secretary may return ownership to the United States.

Key takeaways

• The transfer includes the land and improvements shown as the “Gila County Area” on the designated map.
• Gila County will receive the property at no purchase price but must pay all transfer-related costs, including required surveys and environmental and historic-preservation reviews.
• The transfer remains subject to existing valid rights and any additional conditions the Secretary considers necessary to protect federal interests.
• The Secretary does not have to provide a covenant or warranty concerning the environmental condition of the property.
• The exact acreage and legal description will be established by a survey acceptable to the Secretary.
• If the county uses the property for purposes other than serving and supporting Armed Forces veterans, the Secretary may return the property to federal ownership.