Wabeno Economic Development Act

The bill would require the Forest Service to convey roughly 14 acres of National Forest System land, including mineral rights, in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC. The Forest Service would first complete an appraisal within 300 days of enactment; if the company then offers to buy the land at the appraised market value within 180 days of that appraisal's approval, the Secretary would have to convey the parcel by quitclaim deed within 180 days of receiving the offer. The company would pay the market value plus all survey, appraisal, and environmental review costs.

Separately, the bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive review of federal permitting processes for stone, sand, and gravel development on federal lands nationwide, and to publish a public report with findings and recommendations within 180 days of enactment. The land conveyance affects only this one Wisconsin parcel; it does not alter permitting law generally.

Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, which would gain ownership of the 14-acre parcel and its mineral rights; the U.S. Forest Service, which must appraise and convey the land; and the Department of the Interior, industry stakeholders, and state permitting authorities involved in the nationwide stone, sand, and gravel permitting review.

For the local Wisconsin business, the conveyance would secure long-term access to a mineral-bearing site currently under federal ownership, supporting its gravel and stone operations. The broader permitting review could surface recommendations affecting how quickly aggregate producers nationwide can obtain federal permits, though the review itself makes no binding changes.

The Forest Service would first commission a market-value appraisal of the 14-acre parcel under federal appraisal standards, to be completed within 300 days of enactment. Once approved, the company would have 180 days to submit a purchase offer at that appraised value; the Secretary would then have 180 days to convey the land by quitclaim deed after the company pays the market value and all associated survey, appraisal, and environmental review costs. Separately, the Interior Department would consult with other agencies, industry, and states to produce a permitting-process report, submitting it to two congressional committees and posting it publicly within 180 days of enactment.