La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act would authorize the federal government to convey about 3,400 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in La Paz County, Arizona to La Paz County upon request. The conveyance would occur outside some standard federal land-use planning requirements, but subject to protections such as valid existing rights, terms the Secretary deems necessary, and exclusion of any lands with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources. The land would be sold at fair market value based on a formal appraisal, with the County covering the appraisal and related costs. The bill also requires protection of tribal cultural artifacts—encouraging avoidance and minimization of disturbances and coordinating with the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ Historic Preservation Office. The Federal land would be withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing, and proceeds from any subsequent land sale would go to the Federal Land Disposal Account for use under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. While the bill’s title references solar energy and job creation, the text itself specifies conveyance terms and does not mandate specific solar projects.
Key Points
- 1Land to be conveyed: Approximately 3,400 acres of Federal land in La Paz County, AZ, designated as “Federal Land to be Conveyed” on a map prepared by BLM (June 29, 2023).
- 2Conveyance process and restrictions: Conveyance to the County upon request, bypassing certain FLPMA planning requirements, but subject to valid existing rights and necessary terms; excludes any land with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.
- 3Price and costs: Conveyance at fair market value as determined by an appraisal following Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; County pays the appraised value plus all conveyance-related costs.
- 4Tribal artifacts protection: County must make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts, minimize impacts if disturbed, coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and allow tribal reburial of artifacts.
- 5Use and funding: Land is withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing; proceeds from any sale go to the Federal Land Disposal Account under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act and are used per that Act.