Bill Overview
Title: Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2021
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Interior to develop and maintain a current and accurate multipurpose cadastre (inventory) of federal real property (excluding Indian land) to support federal land management activities on federal real property, including resource development and conservation and agricultural use. Interior may enter cost-sharing agreements with states to include nonfederal real property in the cadastre. Interior shall report on (1) existing real property inventories or any components of any cadastre of federal real property, (2) consolidation of inventories and components, (3) the use of existing inventories and components of any cadastre, (4) cost savings that will be achieved, (5) a plan for implementation of this bill, and (6) recommendations for legislation. Interior shall (1) make the multipurpose cadastre publicly available on the internet, and (2) ensure that such cadastre includes the identification of all lands suitable for disposal pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Sponsors: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved with or interested in federal land management and usage
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill impacts individuals involved in federal land management, as it directs the Department of the Interior to develop a cadastre of federal real property. This includes personnel working in government agencies responsible for land management, conservation, and resource development.
- People involved in state or local government may be indirectly affected, especially if their state enters into cost-sharing agreements with the federal government to include nonfederal property in the cadastre.
- This legislation affects citizens interested in public access to federal land management data, as the cadastre will be made publicly available on the internet.
- Indirectly, the general public might be impacted by any cost savings achieved from better land management practices resulting from the updated cadastre.
- Environmental NGOs and conservation groups could be impacted as the cadastre will help identify lands for conservation purposes.
- Real estate developers and businesses in agriculture might be affected by knowing which lands are suitable for disposal or development.
Reasoning
- The Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2021 primarily impacts those involved in federal land management and related sectors. This includes government officials, real estate developers, conservationists, and citizens interested in land use policies.
- Given a fixed budget, the policy needs to prioritize efficiency. Benefits primarily arise from better land management, identification of areas for conservation, and possible identification of surplus federal lands for development or disposal.
- To understand the policy's impact on individual wellbeing, it is crucial to assess how access to federal land information changes lives and enhances decision-making for professionals and interested parties.
- There is also an indirect but significant benefit to the general public. Improved land management could lead to cost savings and more thoughtful conservation efforts, potentially maximizing benefits across communities.
- The population likely to be impacted includes both direct users of the cadastre and indirect beneficiaries through better land management outcomes. The policy's impact varies significantly based on professional involvement and interest in real property.
Simulated Interviews
Federal land manager (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will make my job more efficient by providing accurate land data.
- It will improve decision-making for resource allocation.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Environmental NGO representative (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited about the transparency and accessibility of land data.
- Hopes it will help identify more areas for conservation.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Real estate developer (Reno, Nevada)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The cadastre could reveal new development opportunities.
- Could help in strategic planning for real estate projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
State government worker (Austin, Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Greater collaboration with federal level could enhance state-level projects.
- Could see improved data sharing with the federal government.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired citizen (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public access to land data is a positive step.
- Encouraged by potential improvements in land conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Software developer (Sacramento, California)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to detailed land data could enhance our applications.
- Could improve data reliability in GIS projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Conservation officer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could support more cohesive conservation strategies.
- I expect improved coordination between state and federal levels.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Agricultural business owner (Bozeman, Montana)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The cadastre might open new leasing opportunities near my farm.
- Could influence long-term business planning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Environmental science student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to this database is beneficial for research and career prospects.
- Interested to see how the cadastre influences future policy changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Community organizer (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned about implications for indigenous lands, even though they are excluded.
- Hopes for increased dialogue around land rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $6500000 (Low: $5000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $7000000 (Low: $5500000, High: $8500000)
Year 3: $7500000 (Low: $6000000, High: $9000000)
Year 5: $8500000 (Low: $7000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8500000, High: $11500000)
Year 100: $17000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial costs are higher due to the complexity and scale of integrating and maintaining federal land data.
- Long-term savings and revenue potential through land disposals and improved management.
- Public and political interest due to the transparency and accessibility of federal land information.