Wabeno Economic Development Act
Summary
The Wabeno Economic Development Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 14 acres of National Forest System land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, contingent upon an appraisal and offer submission. The company must pay the market value and associated conveyance costs. The Act also mandates a comprehensive review of the federal permitting processes for stone, sand, and gravel development on federal lands by the Secretary of the Interior.
Expected Effects
This act will transfer federal land to a private company, potentially stimulating local economic activity through the expansion of Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC. It will also lead to a review of permitting processes for resource extraction, which could result in streamlined procedures and increased efficiency. This could impact both environmental regulations and resource availability.
Potential Benefits
- Potential for local economic development and job creation in Wabeno, Wisconsin.
- Streamlined permitting processes for stone, sand, and gravel development could reduce project delays and costs.
- Revenue generated from the land sale will go to the U.S. Treasury.
- Clarification of land ownership and usage rights for the involved parties.
- May serve as a model for similar land conveyances that promote economic development.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Loss of public land and potential environmental impact from industrial development.
- The conveyance benefits a specific private entity, raising questions of fairness.
- Potential for expedited permitting processes to weaken environmental safeguards.
- The review of permitting processes may not lead to significant improvements.
- The 14 acres may have had other potential uses for the public.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and regulate federal territory and property. The Act's provisions for appraisal and fair market value seek to ensure responsible use of this power. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).