US HB197

Authorizes a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and Big Winnie Land and Timber, LLC (BWLT) in Itasca County, Minnesota, involving approximately 17.5 acres of federal land for approximately 36.7 acres of non-federal land

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to complete the exchange within 1 year of BWLT's offer, with the federal government retaining an easement for road access to National Forest System land

Mandates equal value exchange determined by independent appraisals; if federal land is worth more, BWLT pays the difference; if non-federal land is worth more, no payment is required from the U.S. and the excess is treated as a donation

Requires BWLT to pay all closing costs including title insurance, surveys, environmental assessments, inspection fees, attorneys fees, and recording fees

Non-federal land acquired will be added to and managed as part of the Chippewa National Forest under National Forest System regulations