Arizona Land Swap: 3,400 Acres of Federal Land Slated for Transfer to La Paz County at Fair Market Value

This legislation, the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act, sets the stage for a significant federal land transfer in Arizona. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey roughly 3,400 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land—as marked on the official “BLM ArizonaLa Paz County Land Conveyance Map” dated June 29, 2023—directly to La Paz County, Arizona, upon the County’s request. The stated goal is to facilitate local economic development, likely focused on large-scale solar projects given the bill’s title, by putting the land under local control.

The Fast Track to Local Control

What’s interesting here is the process. This Act requires the transfer to happen “as soon as possible” after the County requests it, bypassing the standard, sometimes lengthy, planning rules found in sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. For busy people, this means less red tape and a faster path for the County to move forward with development plans—if they have the cash. However, this fast track means less federal oversight in the planning stage, which is usually designed to ensure the land transfer aligns with broader national resource goals. The bill mandates the County must pay the full fair market value for the land, based on an appraisal that adheres to federal standards, and cover all administrative costs, including surveys and appraisals. If you’re a local taxpayer, this is key: the County is footing the entire bill for the acquisition and transfer, not just the purchase price.

Protecting History and Restricting Resources

The transfer is not a free-for-all. The Secretary must exclude any areas that contain “important cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.” The word “important” here leaves some wiggle room for interpretation, which could become a sticking point between the federal government and the County. More critically, the bill includes strong protections for Native American history. The County, and any future owner, must commit to protecting Tribal artifacts, minimizing disturbance, and consulting closely with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office. This ensures that economic development doesn't steamroll over irreplaceable cultural heritage.

What It Means for Land Use

If you’re involved in mining or mineral extraction, this land is immediately taken off the table. The bill specifies that the federal land being transferred is “immediately taken off the market for mining and mineral leasing laws.” This is a permanent restriction on resource extraction for those 3,400 acres, favoring surface uses like solar energy or other development over subsurface mining interests. For those concerned about industrial sprawl, this withdrawal from mineral leasing is a clear win for surface preservation. Ultimately, this bill gives La Paz County a direct path to acquire federal land for local development, provided they are ready to pay the full price and adhere to strict cultural protection mandates.