To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to complete a land exchange with Georgia Power Company. (Introduced in the House)

HR 1135 IH

106th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1135

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to complete a land exchange with Georgia Power Company.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 16, 1999

Mr. NORWOOD (for himself, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, and Mr. LINDER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to complete a land exchange with Georgia Power Company.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. LAKE OCONEE LAND EXCHANGE, GEORGIA.

(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section:

(1) DESCRIPTION OF THE BOUNDARY- The term `description of the boundary' means the documents entitled `Description of the Boundary' dated September 6, 1996, prepared by the Forest Service and on file with the Secretary.

(2) EXCHANGE AGREEMENT- The term `exchange agreement' means the agreement between Georgia Power Company and the Forest Service dated December 26, 1996, as amended on August 17, 1998, which is on file with the Secretary.

(3) GEORGIA POWER COMPANY- The term `Georgia Power Company' means Georgia Power Company, a division of the Southern Company, a Georgia corporation, or its successors or assigns.

(4) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(b) LAND EXCHANGE-

(1) IN GENERAL- Simultaneously with the conveyance by Georgia Power Company to the Secretary of all right, title, and interest in and to the land described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall--

(A) convey to Georgia Power Company all right, title, and interest in and to the land described in paragraph (3), except as provided in the exchange agreement; and

(B) make a value equalization payment of $23,250 to Georgia Power Company.

(2) LAND TO BE CONVEYED TO THE SECRETARY- The land described in this paragraph is the land within or near the Chattahoochee National Forest and Oconee National Forest in the State of Georgia, comprising approximately 1,175.46 acres, described in the exchange agreement and the description of the boundary.

(3) LAND TO BE CONVEYED TO GEORGIA POWER COMPANY- The land described in this paragraph is the land in the State of Georgia, comprising approximately 1,275.80 acres, described in the exchange agreement and the description of the boundary.

(1) IN GENERAL- The orders issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under section 24 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 818), authorizing Power Project Numbers 2413 and 2354, issued August 6, 1969, and October 1, 1996, respectively, are revoked insofar as the orders affect the land described in subsection (b)(3).

(2) NO ANNUAL CHARGE- No interest conveyed to Georgia Power Company or easement right retained by Georgia Power Company under this section shall be subject to an annual charge for the purpose of compensating the United States for the use of its land for power purposes.