PUBLIC LAW 105-267—OCT. 19, 1998 112 STAT. 2371 Public Law 105-267 105th Congress An Act To direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to exchange land and other assets with Big Sky Lumber Co. and other entities. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Gallatin Land Consolidation Act of 1998". SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that— (1) the land north of Yellowstone National Park possesses outstanding natural characteristics and wildlife habitats that make the land a valuable addition to the National Forest System; (2) it is in the interest of the United States to establish a logical and effective ownership pattern for the Gallatin National Forest, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers and increasing and improving public access to the forest; (3) it is in the interest of the United States for the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into an Option Agreement for the acquisition of land owned by Big Sky Lumber Co. to accomplish the purposes of this Act; and (4) other private property owners are willing to enter into exchanges that further improve the ownership pattern of the Gallatin National Forest. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) BLM LAND.— The term "ELM land" means approximately 2,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land (including all appurtenances to the land) that is proposed to be acquired by BSL, as depicted in Exhibit B to the Option Agreement. (2) BSL.— The term "BSL" means Big Sky Lumber Co., an Oregon joint venture, and its successors and assigns, and any other entities having a property interest in the BSL land. (3) BSL LAND.— The term "BSL land" means approximately 54,000 acres of land (including all appurtenances to the land except as provided in section 4(e)(l)(D)(i)) owned by BSL that is proposed to be acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture, as depicted in Exhibit A to the Option Agreement. Oct. 19, 1998 [H.R. 3381] Gallatin Land ConsoUdation Act of 1998. Montana.
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