§1165. Disposal of Federal property on Pribilof Islands

(a) Submission to Congress of property transfer document

Any provision of law relating to the transfer and disposal of Federal property to the contrary notwithstanding, the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, is authorized to bargain, grant, sell or otherwise convey, on such terms as he deems to be in the best interests of the United States and in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, any and all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property, both real and personal, held by the Secretary on the Pribilof Islands: Provided, That such property is specified in a document entitled "Transfer of Property on the Pribilof Islands: Descriptions, Terms and Conditions," which is submitted to the Congress on or before October 31, 1983.

(b) Contents of property transfer document

The property transfer document described in subsection (a) of this section shall include, but need not be limited to-

(1) a description of each conveyance;

(2) the terms to be imposed on each conveyance;

(3) designation of the recipient of each conveyance;

(4) a statement noting acceptance of each conveyance, including the terms, if any, under which it is accepted; and

(5) an identification of all Federal property to be retained by the Federal Government on the Pribilof Islands to meet its responsibilities as described in this chapter and under the Convention.

(c) Report to Congress of fair market value of transferred property

Within 60 days of the transfer of real or personal property specified in the document described in subsection (a) of this section, the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate shall be given a report prepared by the Secretary stating the fair market value at the time of the transfer of all real and personal property conveyed.

(d) Memorandum of Understanding

A Memorandum of Understanding shall be entered into by the Secretary, a representative of the local governmental authority on each Island, the trustee or trustees, and the appropriate officer of the State of Alaska setting forth the respective responsibilities of the Federal Government, the Trust, and the State regarding-

(1) application of Federal retirement benefits, severance pay, and insurance benefits with respect to Natives of the Pribilof Islands;

(2) funding to be allocated by the State of Alaska for the construction of boat harbors on St. Paul and St. George Islands;

(3) assumption of the State of Alaska of traditional State responsibilities for facilities and services on such islands in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

(4) preservation of wildlife resources within the Secretary's jurisdiction;

(5) continued activities relating to the implementation of the Convention;

(6) oversight of the operation of the Trust established by section 1166(a) of this title to further progress toward creation of a stable, diversified, and enduring economy not dependent up commercial fur sealing;

(7) the cooperation of government agencies, rendered through existing programs, in assisting with an orderly transition from Federal management and the creation of a private enterprise economy on the Pribilof Islands as described in this chapter; and

(8) such other matters as may be necessary and appropriate for carrying out the purposes of the chapter, including the assumption of responsibilities to ensure an orderly transition from Federal management of the Pribilof Islands.

The Memorandum shall be submitted to Congress on or before October 31, 1983.

(e) Taxation

The grant, sale, transfer or conveyance of any real or personal property pursuant to this section shall not be subject to any form of Federal, State or local taxation. The basis for computing gain or loss on subsequent sale or disposition of such real or personal property for purposes of any Federal, State or local tax imposed on, or measured by revenue shall be the fair market value of such real or personal property at the time of receipt.

(f) Agreements with governmental agencies and third parties

In carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements, including but not limited to land exchange agreements with other Departments and Agencies of both the State and Federal Governments, and with third parties, notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the transfer and disposal of Federal property to the contrary; except that the authority of the Secretary of the Interior regarding exchanges involving lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System on October 14, 1983, is not affected by this section.

(g) Report to Congress on status of negotiations

The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report, no later than October 1, 1983, providing information on the status of the negotiations for concluding the documents described in subsections (a) and (d) of this section.

( Pub. L. 89–702, title II, §205, Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1094 ; Pub. L. 98–129, §2, Oct. 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 839 .)

Amendments

1983-Pub. L. 98–129 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to the disposal of Federal property on the Pribilof Islands for provisions relating to the medical and dental care of Pribilof Islands natives. See section 1164 of this title.

Abolition of House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries

Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of House of Representatives abolished and its jurisdiction given primarily to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of House of Representatives, and remainder of jurisdiction given to Committees on National Security and on Resources of House of Representatives, by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Fourth Congress, Jan. 4, 1995.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 1166, 1175 of this title.