Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 4.djvu/356

 112 STAT. 2681-327 PUBLIC LAW 105-277—OCT. 21, 1998 (B) protection and enhancement of old growth forests and habitat for threatened, endangered and sensitive species, including a net gain of approximately 28,500 acres of habitat for the northern spotted owl; (C) consolidation of National Forest holdings for more efficient administration and to meet a broad array of ecosystem protection and other public land management goals, including net public gains of approximately 283 miles of stream ownership, 14 miles of the route of the Pacific Crest Trail, 20,000 acres of unroaded land, and 7,360 acres ofriparian land; and (D) a significant reduction in administrative costs to the United States through^— (i) consolidation of Federal land holdings for more efficient land management and planning; (ii) elimination of approximately 300 miles of boundary identification and posting; (iii) reduced right-of-way, special use, and other permit processing and issuance for roads and other facilities on National Forest System land; and (iv) other administrative cost savings; (5) Plum Creek has selected certain parcels of National Forest System land that are logical for consolidation into Plum Creek ownership utilizing a land exchange because the parcels— (A) are intermingled with parcels owned by Plum Creek; and (B)(i) are generally located in less environmentally sensitive areas than the Plum Creek offiered land; and (ii) have lower public recreation and other public vsdues than the Plum Creek offered land; (6) time is of the essence in consummating a land exchange because delays may force Plum Creek to road or log the offered land and thereby diminish the public values for which the offered land is to be acquired; and (7) it is in the public interest to complete the land exchange at the earliest practicable date so that the offered land can be acquired and preserved by the United States for permanent public management, use, and enjoyment. (b) PURPOSE.— It is the purpose of this Act to further the public interest by authorizing, directing, facilitating, and expediting the consummation of the Interstate 90 land exchange so as to ensure that the offered land is expeditiously acquired for permanent public use and enjoyment. SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) OFFERED LAND. —The term "offered land" means all right, title and interest, including the surface and subsurface interests, in land described in section 604(a) to be conveyed into the public ownership of the United States under this Act. (2) PLUM CREEK.— The term "Plum Creek" means Plum Creek Timber Company, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership, or its successors, heirs, or assigns. (3) SECRETARY.—The term "Secretar)^" means the Secretary of Agriculture.

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