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Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025
10/29/2025, 6:08 AM
Summary of Bill HR 197
The purpose of this land exchange is to consolidate land ownership within the Chippewa National Forest and improve management efficiency. The bill also includes provisions for the protection of cultural and natural resources, as well as the preservation of important historical sites within the forest.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to ensure that the land exchange is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, with opportunities for public input and consultation with relevant stakeholders. The bill also outlines the process for completing the land exchange, including the appraisal of the lands involved and the transfer of ownership. Overall, Bill 119 HR 197 aims to facilitate a land exchange within the Chippewa National Forest that will benefit both the federal government and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, while also ensuring the protection and preservation of important cultural and natural resources within the forest.
Congressional Summary of HR 197
Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025
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.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 197
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 197
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
3Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
3Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 197
Primary Policy Focus
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesAlternate Title(s) of Bill HR 197
Comments
Blakely Poe
10 months ago
I think this bill is a good idea because it will help protect the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota. This is important for the environment and for future generations. But, why are some people against it? Don't they care about preserving our natural resources? #HRBill197 #ChippewaNationalForest #ProtectTheEnvironment
Alitzel Hines
10 months ago
Ugh, can't believe they're pushing for this land exchange act. How will this impact our environment in the long run?
