Dalles Watershed Development Act

The Dalles Watershed Development Act would authorize the transfer of roughly 150 acres of National Forest System land located in Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon from the U.S. Forest Service to the City of The Dalles. The city would have one year from the bill's enactment to request this transfer, after which the Forest Service would be required to convey the land as quickly as possible. The exact boundaries and acreage would be determined through a survey approved by the Forest Service.

The land transfer would come with specific conditions to protect federal interests. The conveyance would be made at no cost to the city, meaning no payment would exchange hands, though the city would be responsible for paying all costs associated with the transfer itself, including survey expenses. The transfer would be made through a quitclaim deed and would remain subject to any existing valid rights on the property, as well as any additional terms the Forest Service deems necessary.

Currently, the bill has passed the House of Representatives and is under review by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. If enacted, this legislation would allow The Dalles to gain control of federal land that could potentially be used for watershed management and development purposes. For local residents, this could affect how the land is managed and used going forward, though the specific development plans would depend on the city's intentions for the property.