La Paz County Solar Conveyance

Full Title:
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

Summary#

This Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey about 3,400 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to La Paz County, Arizona. The land parcel is shown on a BLM map dated June 29, 2023. The conveyance is to happen as soon as practicable after the County requests it and is made despite certain usual planning requirements in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

The conveyance must follow conditions: it is subject to valid existing rights and other terms the Secretary finds necessary. The Secretary must exclude any parts of the land that contain significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources. The land will be withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing laws.

The County must pay the fair market value based on an appraisal done under federal appraisal standards (Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and USPAP). The County must also pay all costs related to the conveyance, including surveys, appraisals, and administrative costs. Proceeds from the sale go into the Federal Land Disposal Account and are used under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.

As a condition of the conveyance, the County and any later owner must make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing Tribal artifacts, minimize impacts if artifacts are disturbed, coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and allow Tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at or near their discovery locations. Minor map or boundary corrections may be made by mutual agreement.

What it means for you#

  • La Paz County can acquire the specified BLM parcel if it requests the conveyance and pays required costs and the appraised value.
  • The land cannot be used for mining or mineral leasing under federal law once conveyed.
  • Areas with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources can be left out of the conveyance.
  • Tribal cultural artifacts on the land are to be protected through coordination with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office and allowed reburial near discovery sites.

Expenses#

  • The County must pay an amount equal to the appraised fair market value determined under federal law and appraisal standards.
  • The County must pay all costs related to the conveyance, including surveys, appraisals, and other administrative costs.
  • Proceeds from the sale are deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account and used according to the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.
  • No publicly available information on total dollar amounts or broader fiscal impacts is included in the provided text or metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.