Bill Overview
Title: Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act of 2021
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to develop and maintain a current and accurate multipurpose cadastre (inventory) of federal real property under their jurisdictions to support federal land management activities on federal real property, including resource development and conservation and agricultural use. Interior and the Forest Service 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 and the Forest Service 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 and the appraised value of the land, if an appraisal has been conducted pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Sponsors: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by federal land management activities
Estimated Size: 330000000
- The bill aims to create a multipurpose inventory of federal lands, affecting federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service, which manage these lands.
- It will impact individuals and organizations involved in federal land management activities, as having a centralized inventory will influence decision-making about the use of these lands.
- The bill could have implications for resource developers, as more precise data will potentially facilitate their operations on federal land.
- Conservational organizations and entities focused on environmental protection may be impacted by more transparent land data, affecting their conservation strategies.
- The general public could be affected by increased transparency and public access to federal land data, potentially influencing how they engage with these lands.
Reasoning
- The Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act will primarily affect individuals and organizations involved in federal land management, such as interior department authorities, forest services, resource developers, conservationists, and recreational users. A transparent online cadastre will potentially open up resource development opportunities and offer clearer guidelines for land disposals.
- The budget of $40 million for the first year is sufficient to cover initial setup costs for the online cadastre, such as data aggregation and system development. The projected ten-year budget of $267.5 million suggests a long-term commitment to upkeep, updates, and education efforts for stakeholders to properly leverage this database.
- Simulated subjects from different demographics reflect the spectrum of impact from individuals directly affected by land policy changes to those who might only experience minor peripheral changes in their wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Forest Service Ranger (Bozeman, Montana)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will make my job more efficient as it consolidates land data.
- I believe it will save time and resources spent on land management documentation.
- Public transparency is excellent, but data security must be ensured.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Conservationist (Boulder, Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to consolidated land data will enhance our conservation planning.
- Concerns over increased development undermining conservation efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Resource Developer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide better clarity on available lands for resource extraction.
- Wider access to appraised values is beneficial for investment decisions.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Outdoor Enthusiast (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Publicly available land data would clarify accessibility to certain trails and camping areas.
- Concern about lands being marked for disposal and reduced public access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Farmer (Springfield, Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Easier identification of surplus lands for purchase is a potential benefit.
- Wary of the potential complexities of acquiring these lands.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Realtor (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could streamline the process for clients seeking to buy federal lands.
- Could increase competition in federal land real estate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Outdoor Equipment Retailer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More accessible land data could attract more customers wanting clear information on federal outdoor activities.
- My business might benefit if land management improves accessibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Bureau of Land Management Official (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This cadastre will support our efforts at federal land accountability and policy making.
- Data maintenance and public access must be managed carefully to prevent misuse.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Land Surveyor (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy modernization of land data management could streamline what was once labor-intensive work.
- I have concerns that not all areas will benefit equally from the digitization efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Student (Missoula, Montana)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Making land data transparent is crucial for future sustainability efforts.
- I'm hopeful this policy encourages more informed activism and education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $35000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $40000000)
Year 3: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 5: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 10: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial setup costs may be high due to new integration technologies needed to merge existing inventories.
- The effectiveness of cost-saving measures depends heavily on streamlined implementation processes.
- Potential legal challenges around land disposal could arise, affecting cost and tax revenue predictions.