Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025

Bill Summary: Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025 (S. 3004)

Overview

The Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025 is a targeted piece of legislation designed to transfer ownership of a specific parcel of federal land to the city of Price, Utah. The primary intent of the bill is to allow the city to manage this land for "public purposes," facilitating the development or preservation of the Upper Price River Watershed.

Key Provisions

Land Conveyance

The core of the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM) to convey all federal right, title, and interest in a specific area of land to the City of Price.

• Scope of Land: The conveyance involves approximately 124.23 acres of BLM land.
• Legal Mechanism: The bill specifically bypasses sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, which typically govern the disposal of public lands, to streamline the transfer process.
• Conditions: The transfer is subject to any "valid existing rights" (such as existing easements or mineral rights) and occurs at the formal request of the City.

Mapping and Administration

The bill relies on a specific map titled "Land Conveyance near Price, Utah," dated May 8, 2025.
* Public Access: This map must be available for public inspection at BLM offices.
* Adjustments: The Secretary of the Interior is granted the authority to correct "minor errors" in the map to ensure the boundary of the conveyance is accurate.

Affected Parties

• City of Price, Utah: The primary beneficiary, which will gain ownership and control of the acreage for public use.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The federal agency responsible for executing the transfer and maintaining the official records/maps.
• Local Stakeholders: Any parties holding "valid existing rights" to the land will have those rights preserved despite the change in ownership.

Procedural Status

The bill was introduced in the Senate on October 14, 2025. Following hearings by the Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, it was ordered to be reported favorably by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 4, 2026, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
| :--- | :--- |
| Land Area | ~124.23 Acres |
| Recipient | City of Price, Utah |
| Agency Involved | Bureau of Land Management (BLM) |
| Primary Purpose | Land transfer for public purposes |
| Key Reference | BLM Map dated May 8, 2025 |