§ 539m-11. Provisions relating to contributions and land exchange
(a)
Contributions
(b)
Land exchange
(1)
In general
Not later than 180 days after February 20, 2003, after consultation with the Pueblo, the Secretary shall, in accordance with applicable laws, prepare and offer a land exchange of National Forest land outside the Area and contiguous to the northern boundary of the Pueblo’s Reservation within sections 3, 10, 11, and 14 of T12N, R4E, N.M.P.M., Sandoval County, New Mexico excluding wilderness land, for land owned by the Pueblo in the Evergreen Hills subdivision in Sandoval County contiguous to National Forest land, and the La Luz tract in Bernalillo County.
(3)
Funds received
Any funds received by the Secretary as a result of the exchange shall be deposited in the fund established under section
484a of this title, and shall be available to purchase non-Federal land within or adjacent to the National Forests in the State of New Mexico.
(4)
Treatment of land exchanged or conveyed
All land exchanged or conveyed to the Pueblo is declared to be held in trust for the Pueblo by the United States and added to the Pueblo’s Reservation subject to all existing and outstanding rights and shall, as a condition of the conveyance, remain in its natural state and shall not be subject to commercial development of any kind. Land exchanged or conveyed to the Forest Service shall be subject to all limitations on use pertaining to the Area under sections
539m to
539m–12 of this title.
(5)
Failure to make offer
If the land exchange offer is not made by the date that is 180 days after February 20, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on Resources of the United States House of Representatives, a report explaining the reasons for the failure to make the offer including an assessment of the need for any additional legislation that may be necessary for the exchange. If additional legislation is not necessary, the Secretary, consistent with this section, should proceed with the exchange pursuant to existing law.
(c)
Land acquisition and other compensation
(1)
In general
The Secretary may acquire land owned by the Pueblo within the Evergreen Hills Subdivision in Sandoval County or any other privately held land inside of the exterior boundaries of the Area. The boundaries of the Cibola National Forest and the Area shall be adjusted to encompass any land acquired pursuant to this section.
(d)
Reimbursement of certain costs
(1)
In general
The Pueblo, the County of Bernalillo, New Mexico, and any person that owns or has owned property inside of the exterior boundaries of the Area as designated on the map, and who has incurred actual and direct costs as a result of participating in the case of Pueblo of Sandia v. Babbitt, Civ. No. 94–2624 HHG (D.D.C.), or other proceedings directly related to resolving the issues litigated in that case, may apply for reimbursement in accordance with this section. Costs directly related to such participation which shall qualify for reimbursement shall be—
(2)
Treatment of reimbursement
Any reimbursement provided in this subsection shall be in lieu of that which might otherwise be available pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (24 [1] U.S.C. 2412).
(3)
Payments
Subject to the availability of appropriated funds the Secretary of the Treasury shall make reimbursement payments as provided in this section.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “28”.