Feds Hand Over 3,400 Acres to La Paz County for Solar Project: County Must Pay Fair Market Value, Protect Tribal Artifacts

The "La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act" greenlights the transfer of about 3,400 acres of federal land to La Paz County, Arizona. The main goal? To potentially boost solar energy development and create jobs in the area. But, it comes with some strings attached.

Land Grab for Solar

The bill lays out the specifics: La Paz County can request the land, but they'll have to pay fair market value for it. That price tag will be determined by an appraisal that follows federal standards. Also, not all land is up for grabs – any federal land with significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources is off-limits (SEC. 3).

For example, if a local rancher currently has grazing rights on a portion of this land, those rights are supposed to be respected. Or, if a section of the land is home to an endangered species, that part likely wouldn't be included in the deal.

Protecting the Past

One crucial element of the bill is the protection of Tribal cultural artifacts. The County, and anyone who owns the land after them, must make "efforts to avoid disturbing any Tribal cultural artifacts." (SEC. 3). If artifacts are unearthed, the bill requires steps to minimize the impact and coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Tribal representatives would even be allowed to rebury any artifacts found.

Think of it like this: if construction crews stumble upon ancient pottery shards while digging, they can't just bulldoze through. They need to take steps to protect the find and work with the Tribes.

Dollars and Details

La Paz County is on the hook for all costs associated with the transfer, including surveys, appraisals, and administrative fees (SEC. 3). Once the land is sold, the money goes into the Federal Land Disposal Account, which is used to manage and improve federal lands, as outlined in the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.

One thing to keep in mind: this land is being pulled out of consideration for mining and mineral leasing. That means no digging for gold or other resources – the focus is strictly on potential solar development.

Looking Ahead

This bill sets the stage for a potential solar boom in La Paz County. The size of the land conveyed, 3,400 acres, is significant and could host a large-scale solar facility. While the bill doesn't guarantee a solar farm will pop up, it clears the way for that possibility. It will be interesting to see how La Paz County uses this land and how it might transform the local economy and energy landscape, while also navigating the requirements to protect cultural heritage.