La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
The La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land in La Paz County, Arizona, to La Paz County after a request is made. The transfer would bypass certain FLPMA planning requirements, but would be subject to existing rights, necessary terms set by the Secretary, and protections for cultural and environmental resources. The land would be sold at fair market value with the county covering the appraised cost and all conveyance-related expenses. Proceeds from any sale would go to the Federal Land Disposal Account for use under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. The bill also imposes protections for tribal artifacts, requires coordination with the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and withdraws the conveyed land from mining and mineral leasing laws. The bill appears designed to facilitate a local solar energy development project and related job creation by transferring federal land to the county, while preserving cultural and environmental protections and ensuring proper financial arrangements and oversight.
Key Points
- 1Authorization to convey about 3,400 acres of BLM-managed land in La Paz County to the County, upon request, notwithstanding certain FLPMA planning requirements.
- 2The conveyance must exclude land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources, and is subject to existing rights and other terms determined by the Secretary.
- 3The land must be sold at fair market value based on appraisals conducted under specified federal appraisal standards; the County pays the appraised value plus all related conveyance costs.
- 4Tribal artifact protections: the County and subsequent owners must avoid disturbing tribal artifacts, minimize impacts if disturbed, coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and allow reburial of artifacts.
- 5Proceeds from any sale go to the Federal Land Disposal Account and must be used in accordance with the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act; the land is withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing laws.