Bill Overview
Title: Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act
Description: This bill directs the Forest Service to convey to Skamania County in Washington, upon request of the county, all right, title, and interest of the United States in approximately 23.4 acres of National Forest System land, related infrastructure, and all improvements on the map titled Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Proposal and dated July 7, 2020. The conveyance shall be made by quitclaim deed; subject to a right-of-way and restrictive easement reservation for the protection of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail; and completed in accordance with certain Forest Service conveyance requirements, except that certain market value requirements shall not apply. The Forest Service must meet specified disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants and shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate the hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants disclosed. The lands and related infrastructure conveyed must be maintained by the county pursuant to standards established by the Department of the Interior regarding the preservation of historic property.
Sponsors: Rep. Herrera Beutler, Jaime [R-WA-3]
Target Audience
Population: People utilizing or living near Wind River Administrative Site and stakeholders of Skamania County
Estimated Size: 75000
- The bill involves conveyance of federal land to a county, so it primarily affects those who use this land or are stakeholders in the region.
- Skamania County residents may be impacted as the land will be under their jurisdiction and management.
- The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail users might be affected due to the right-of-way and restrictive easement reservations meant to protect the trail.
- Conveyance might result in changes in land use regulations and management, potentially affecting environmental and recreational access aspects for people in the area.
- The land must be maintained to historical standards; this impacts historical preservation efforts and stakeholders interested in that aspect.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts residents of Skamania County, users of the Pacific Crest Trail, and those involved in historical property preservation.
- The budget of $50,000 in Year 1 restricts expansive development or changes, suggesting the focus will be on immediate administrative and maintenance tasks by the county for the conveyed land.
- Over 10 years, with a budget of $125,000, the impacts are more on longer-term planning, maintenance, and potential revenue generation through tourism or local development.
- The population directly impacted includes residents using the conveyed land, tourists, trail hikers, and environmental or historical preservation stakeholders.
Simulated Interviews
Retired park ranger (Skamania County, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the conveyance will improve local management of the land.
- There is some concern about potential pollution issues, but I'm glad precautions are taken.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Environmental activist (Portland, OR)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm wary about the policy's potential to lead to environmental degradation.
- The historical standards for maintenance are reassuring, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Small business owner (Skamania County, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy has potential to boost local tourism by revitalizing the administrative site.
- I hope for better local infrastructure because of new management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
County official (Vancouver, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This conveyance is a great opportunity for Skamania County to exercise control over local lands.
- There's pressure to ensure compliance with historical preservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Historian (Carson, WA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm keen to see how the county handles historical aspects of the conveyance.
- The policy doesn't jeopardize historical standards, which is good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Teacher (Skamania County, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy offers a fresh educational opportunity for students.
- I'm a bit worried about maintenance but optimistic overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Policy analyst (Hood River, OR)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could set a precedent for county control over federal land.
- I'm analyzing how this affects cross-border governance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An interesting case study for my research.
- I expect improvements in land management practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Local business leader (Skamania County, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a chance to stimulate economic growth in the county.
- Proper management is crucial to avoid potential pitfalls.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Retired (Stevenson, WA)
Age: 69 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pleased the land's history will be preserved.
- There is hope for increased community involvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $30000, High: $80000)
Year 2: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $15000)
Year 3: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $15000)
Year 5: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $15000)
Year 10: $5000 (Low: $3000, High: $10000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Administrative processing and legal compliance costs for the Forest Service.
- Implications of right-of-way and restrictive easement reservations on land use.
- Potential for Skamania County to develop the land enhancing economic activity.
- Environmental and historical preservation requirements influencing maintenance costs.