Yuma Proving Ground Land Withdrawal

Full Title:
To amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve certain public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

Summary#

This bill would add a new subtitle to the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve federal public land near Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, for use by the Secretary of the Army. It identifies about 21,782.981 acres (the "Highway 95" area, excluding about 800 acres of state-owned subsurface) and about 249.29 acres (the "Howard Cantonment" area). The withdrawn land would be removed from public land entry and disposal, mining laws, and mineral and geothermal leasing. The reservation is for Army use as specified in Public Land Order No. 848 and section 2914. The bill directs management by the Interior Department under existing public land laws and allows certain activities such as wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, wild horse and burro management, predatory animal control, recreation and hunting, and fire prevention. Leases or rights that cross both the withdrawn land and nearby non-Army land would be issued by the Interior Department but require the Army's consent and conditions, except for a specified utility corridor rule. The bill allows the Interior Secretary to assign management to the Secretary of the Army; if assigned, the Army must follow specified laws including the Sikes Act and FLPMA. It also authorizes the BLM State Director to issue rights-of-way in the Parker-Blaisdell Utility Corridor for critical regional-grid infrastructure without the Army's consent, although Interior must consult the Army and include conditions to minimize impacts. The withdrawal remains in effect indefinitely or until the Army determines there is no longer a military need.

What it means for you#

  • The bill would reserve roughly 22,032 acres near Yuma Proving Ground for Army use and limit mining, leasing, and new land claims on that land.
  • Some public activities listed in the bill (wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, recreation, hunting) may still be allowed but would be managed under conditions set by Interior and the Army.
  • Utilities in the Parker-Blaisdell corridor could receive rights-of-way for critical grid projects through BLM action, with Interior consulting the Army but without requiring Army approval.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects is included in the bill text or provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

The bill text and its section heading state the action is to support "military readiness and security" by withdrawing and reserving land for Army use and management near Yuma Proving Ground.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' views, objections, or formal opposition is included in the bill text or provided metadata.