What This Bill Does
The Wabeno Economic Development Act would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey about 14 acres of National Forest System land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC, if the company submits an offer within 180 days after appraisal approval and pays market value. The company would also have to cover the costs of the survey, appraisal, and any required environmental analysis or resource survey. In addition, the bill orders the Secretary of the Interior to review federal permitting for stone, sand, and gravel development on federal lands and report recommendations to Congress within 180 days. The review must include average permitting timelines, inefficiencies, and the economic effects of current delays in those sectors.
- Transfers about 14 acres of National Forest System land in Wisconsin to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC.
- The company must pay the appraised market value plus all conveyance costs, including survey, appraisal, and required environmental analysis.
- The conveyance must occur within 180 days after the company submits an offer following approval of the appraisal.
- The Secretary of the Interior must report on federal permitting for stone, sand, and gravel development within 180 days.
- The report must cover average timelines, inefficiencies, duplicative steps, and economic impacts in those sectors.
Who This Bill Affects
If you live near Wabeno or work in construction materials, forestry, or local development, the bill could matter because it would transfer about 14 acres of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest land to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC at market value and require the company to pay the appraisal, survey, and any environmental review costs. More broadly, the Interior Department review could eventually lead to faster federal permitting for stone, sand, and gravel projects on federal lands, which may affect material supply, project timelines, and related jobs. For most Americans outside those sectors, the direct effect would be limited.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Local construction-materials businesses They may see the land conveyance as a practical way to support an existing operation by giving it clear title to the parcel it needs, while paying market value to the federal government. They may also favor the permitting review because it could identify delays that slow quarrying and aggregate projects on federal lands.
- Local workers and suppliers in the Wabeno area Supporters could argue that a land transfer tied to an industrial use may help preserve or expand jobs and keep a local business operating. If the permitting review leads to faster approvals, it could also help stabilize demand for trucking, equipment, and related services.
- State and local economic development interests They may view the bill as a targeted economic development tool that converts a small federal parcel into productive private use while returning market value to the government. The reporting requirement could also provide data to justify future streamlining of mineral-material permitting.
- Environmental advocates They may object to transferring National Forest System land, especially with mineral rights included, because it can reduce public control over forest resources and potentially increase industrial impacts. They may also worry that a push to streamline permitting could weaken environmental review or public oversight.
- Public lands users and conservation-minded residents Opponents could argue that even a 14-acre conveyance sets a precedent for shrinking public land holdings for private development. They may prefer retaining federal ownership to preserve access, habitat, and long-term land management flexibility.
- Some federal land management stakeholders They may be concerned that the bill adds another reporting mandate and could encourage pressure to speed up permitting without fully resolving the causes of delay. They may also note that the conveyance requires federal administrative work and environmental analysis that can still take time and resources.
Key Implications
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““convey to Tony's Wabeno Redi-Mix, LLC all right, title, and interest of the United States, including mineral rights””
This is a full transfer of federal ownership interests in the parcel, not just surface use. Including mineral rights means the private owner would gain a stronger property position over subsurface resources as well.
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““approximately 14 acres of National Forest System land located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin””
The land transfer is narrow in acreage but significant because it removes a piece of federal forest land from public ownership. The practical effect is concentrated in one local area rather than nationwide.
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““pay ... the market value of the land””
The bill requires the buyer to pay appraised market value, so the federal government is not giving the land away for free. That also means the transaction depends on a formal appraisal and the company’s willingness to proceed within the statutory window.
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““conduct a comprehensive review of the Federal permitting processes for the development of stone, sand, and gravel on Federal lands””
This creates a federal study of how approvals work for aggregate development. It could inform later legislation or administrative changes, but by itself it does not change permitting rules.
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““submit ... a report ... not later than 180 days after the date of enactment””
The Interior Department would have a short deadline to produce findings for Congress and the public. That makes the bill partly about information-gathering and oversight, not just land conveyance.
Latest Status
June 10, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.