WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation introduced by Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) transferring ownership of a former U.S. Forest Service property in Young, Arizona, to Gila County for use as a veterans retreat has been signed into law by President Donald Trump.
H.R. 837, the first bill Crane introduced after taking office and his first to become law, authorizes the transfer of approximately 232.9 acres of the former Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site in the Tonto National Forest to Gila County.
The legislation marks a major milestone in an effort launched in 2017 by Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline to transform the former ranger station into a retreat for veterans and their families.
The bill passed the House unanimously in two consecutive Congresses before receiving unanimous Senate approval on September 30.
Under the new law, Gila County has 180 days to submit a written request for the property. The U.S. Forest Service will then complete the transfer, with the county covering all associated costs. The Congressional Budget Office determined the legislation would have no impact on the federal budget.
The Forest Service relocated its Pleasant Valley operations to a facility near Payson in 2016, leaving much of the original property unused. Since 2021, Gila County has operated the site under a 20-year special use permit while developing the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat.
However, the permit required federal approval for improvements and other projects. Transferring ownership to the county will eliminate those restrictions and provide greater certainty for long-term investment and expansion.
The retreat primarily serves rural veterans and their families, including approximately 5,500 veterans living in Gila County. Plans for the property include family accommodations, meeting and activity spaces, resource rooms, Veterans Ceremonial Grounds, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
During testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee in 2023, Supervisor Cline emphasized the importance of the retreat to veterans throughout the region, including those living in nearby communities and on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
“It means everything to these folks,” Cline told lawmakers.
Crane, himself a veteran, praised the county’s efforts to transform an underutilized federal property into a lasting resource for those who served.
“One of the things I love so much about this project, is that you’re not coming here, Mr. Cline, and asking the federal government for any money. You’re actually trying to take something that’s a beautiful piece of land that’s not being used anymore and revitalize it into something amazing for some of our nation’s finest individuals,” Crane said during the hearing.
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman also supported the legislation, describing the transfer as a bipartisan effort to expand recreational and recovery opportunities for veterans.
Following the bill’s signing, Crane thanked President Trump, Supervisor Cline, and congressional leaders who helped secure its passage.
“I’m grateful to President Donald J. Trump for signing H.R. 837 into law and giving Arizona’s veterans a permanent place to recreate, reconnect, and spend time with their families. None of this would have been possible without Supervisor Woody Cline, whose vision and tireless work helped build bipartisan buy-in for this effort. With local ownership on the way, Gila County will have the stability to expand and improve this facility for the veterans it serves. I’m honored to have played a role in this process, and I appreciate Chairman Bruce Westerman, Chairman Mike Lee, Representative Paul Gosar, and many others who helped deliver this critical win. As my first bill signed into law, this one means a great deal to me. I look forward to future generations of our nation’s heroes enjoying this retreat,” Crane said.
The transfer will secure the future of the Pleasant Valley Veterans Retreat, preserving the historic property while expanding opportunities for Arizona veterans and their families for generations to come.
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