Congress has passed a bill transferring the ownership of nine historic cemeteries in the Black Hills of western South Dakota from the U.S. Forest Service to local communities.

The bill was introduced in the House by South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem and in the Senate by South Dakota’s John Thune.

Since they were identical and the House passed its version in May, the Senate simply passed the House bill on Wednesday to expedite the legislative process. All that’s needed now is the President’s signature.

The legislation changes the ownership of the pioneer-era Englewood, Galena, Hayward, Mountain Meadows, Roubaix, Nemo, Rockerville, Silver City and Cold Springs cemeteries.

U-S Senator John Thune and Congresswoman Kristi Noem say the communities have managed the cemeteries for generations, while the federal ownership created headaches for the communities and an unnecessary liability for the Forest Service.