Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017

Bill 115 hr 3115, also known as the Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017, is a piece of legislation that focuses on exchanging certain federal lands within the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 29, 2017, by Representative Rick Nolan.

The purpose of this bill is to facilitate a land exchange between the federal government and a private entity, specifically the PolyMet Mining Corporation. The exchange would involve transferring approximately 6,650 acres of federal land within the Superior National Forest to PolyMet in exchange for approximately 6,690 acres of non-federal land owned by PolyMet.

The bill outlines the terms and conditions of the land exchange, including the appraisal process, environmental assessments, and public input requirements. It also specifies that the land acquired by the federal government must be used for conservation and public recreation purposes. Supporters of the bill argue that the land exchange will promote economic development in the region by allowing PolyMet to develop a copper-nickel mine on the acquired land. They also believe that the exchange will benefit the local economy and create jobs. Opponents of the bill, however, raise concerns about the potential environmental impact of the proposed mine, as well as the loss of federal land within the Superior National Forest. They argue that the land exchange could harm the ecosystem and wildlife in the area, as well as impact the recreational opportunities available to the public. Overall, the Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017 is a controversial piece of legislation that has sparked debate among lawmakers, environmentalists, and local residents. The bill is currently pending in the House of Representatives and has not yet been passed into law.