# Plain Language Summary: Wabeno Economic Development Act of 2024

This bill allows the federal government to sell about 14 acres of National Forest land in Wisconsin to a concrete company called Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC. The company will have 180 days after the land is appraised to make an offer to buy it at market value. If they make an offer, the government must complete the sale within 180 days. The company will pay for the land at whatever price a professional appraiser determines is fair, plus they'll cover all the costs involved in the sale, including the appraisal itself, any surveys needed, and environmental reviews required by law.

The bill includes some protections for the government. The land sale comes with a quitclaim deed, which means the government is only transferring whatever rights it actually has—it's not guaranteeing the land is free from problems. The company will also be responsible for any hazardous materials or pollution on the property; the government only has to disclose what it knows about, but won't clean it up. The sale is also subject to any existing rights others may have on the land, like utility easements or mining claims.

Beyond this specific land deal, the bill also requires the Department of Interior to study how the federal government handles permits for mining stone, sand, and gravel on public lands. Within six months, they need to report back to Congress with details about how long these permits typically take, what inefficiencies exist in the process, and recommendations for speeding things up. This review is meant to help the government understand whether the permitting process for aggregate mining (stone and gravel extraction) is unnecessarily slow or complicated.

Wabeno Economic Development Act of 2024

Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

Wabeno Economic Development Act of 2024&nbsp;This bill requires the Forest Service to convey approximately 14 acres of federal land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin, to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, upon receiving an offer to buy the land for market value.The Forest Service must complete an appraisal to determine the market value of the land, and the offer must be received no later than 180 days after approval for such appraisal. Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, shall pay an amount equal to the market value of the land and all associated costs as a condition of conveyance.Additionally, the Department of the Interior must publish a comprehensive review of the federal permitting processes for the development of stone, sand, and gravel on federal lands.