Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025
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Would authorize the Forest Service to exchange approximately 17.5 acres of federal shoreline land along Lake Winnibigoshish in Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota, for approximately 36.7 acres of private land owned by Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC — with the acquired private land added to the national forest.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would direct the Forest Service to accept a land exchange with Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT) if the company offers to convey approximately 36.7 acres of non-federal land in Itasca County, Minnesota. In return, the Forest Service would convey approximately 17.5 acres of federal land along the Lake Winnibigoshish shoreline in Chippewa National Forest, while reserving an easement for road access to National Forest System land west of the federal parcel. The exchange must be completed within one year of BWLT's offer. Land acquired by the federal government would be added to and managed as part of Chippewa National Forest.
The bill would not take effect unless BWLT initiates the offer. It would also not require any federal spending on closing costs or surveys — those costs fall entirely on BWLT. If the non-federal land is appraised at higher value than the federal land, BWLT's excess contribution would be treated as a donation rather than triggering a cash payment from the United States.
Key provisions
- 1Would authorize the Forest Service to convey approximately 17.5 acres of federal land to BWLT in exchange for approximately 36.7 acres of non-federal land, if BWLT offers to make the exchange.
- 2Would require the exchange to be completed within one year of BWLT's offer, subject to title approval, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and other conditions.
- 3Would require the exchange to be for equal value; if federal land is worth more, BWLT must make a cash equalization payment; if non-federal land is worth more, the excess is treated as a donation by BWLT.
- 4Would reserve a road-access easement to National Forest System land west of the federal parcel when conveying the federal land to BWLT.
- 5Would direct that the acquired non-federal land be added to and managed as part of Chippewa National Forest under existing National Forest System laws.
- 6Would require BWLT to pay all closing costs, including title insurance, escrow, attorneys' fees, environmental analysis, and surveys.
Who would be affected
Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC, the private Minnesota company that would initiate the exchange and bear all closing and survey costs. The Forest Service would administer the exchange and manage the acquired acreage. Recreational users and neighbors of Chippewa National Forest in Itasca County, Minnesota, could be affected by the change in land ownership and management along the Lake Winnibigoshish shoreline.
Why it matters
If enacted, the Forest Service would gain roughly 36.7 acres of private land — more than double what it gives up — at no cost to federal taxpayers for closing or surveys. BWLT would receive federal shoreline acreage while the government consolidates its landholdings around Chippewa National Forest, potentially improving public access and contiguous management of national forest lands in northern Minnesota.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Secretary must finalize map and legal descriptions of exchanged parcels
- Forest Service must complete the land exchange after BWLT's offer
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 197 would increase direct spending by a negligible amount (less than $500,000) over the 2026–2035 period, with no effect on revenues.
H.R. 197 would direct the Forest Service to exchange 18 acres of federal land in the Chippewa National Forest for 37 acres of privately owned land. CBO estimates the bill would increase direct spending (mandatory outlays) by a negligible amount — between zero and $500,000 — over the 2026–2035 period, primarily because the federal land currently generates about $6,000 in special-use permit fees that would be lost after the exchange. CBO expects no cash equalization payments from the corporation, since the nonfederal land is anticipated to have a higher appraised value. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
How implementation would work
After enactment, the Forest Service would finalize the map and legal descriptions of both parcels. If BWLT makes an offer, the Forest Service must accept and complete the exchange within one year. An independent, mutually agreed-upon appraiser would value both parcels under uniform federal appraisal standards; any value gap would be equalized by a BWLT cash payment to the government (but not the reverse). BWLT must complete a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and provide it to the Secretary before the non-federal parcel is accepted. BWLT bears all survey and closing costs. The map and legal descriptions would be kept on public file at Forest Service offices.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
Official CRS summary
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This bill directs the Forest Service to exchange specified land along the shoreline of Lake Winnibigoshish (commonly known as Lake Winnie) in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota for specified land owned by Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT), if BWLT offers to make the exchange. The land acquired by the Forest Service must be added to and managed as part of Chippewa National Forest.
The bill outlines requirements and conditions for the exchange. For example, the Forest Service must reserve an easement for road access to certain land in the forest. The bill also conditions the exchange on the satisfactory completion of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment by BWLT before the nonfederal land is accepted in the exchange.
In addition, the exchange must be for equal value or the values must be equalized by a cash payment, subject to an exception.
Finally, the bill directs BWLT to pay all closing costs associated with the exchange.
Legislative subjects
Forests, forestry, trees; Geography and mapping; Land transfers; Minnesota; Public Lands and Natural Resources