The bill aims to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to La Paz County, Arizona. The conveyance is to be made at fair market value, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, including protection of tribal cultural artifacts. The proceeds from the sale of the land are to be deposited into the Federal Land Disposal Account and used in accordance with the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. This bill has the potential to impact the development of solar energy and job creation in La Paz County, as well as the preservation of tribal artifacts.
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act
This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after receiving a request from La Paz County, Arizona, to convey approximately 3,400 acres of identified land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the county for fair market value.
Interior must exclude from the conveyance any federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.
As a condition of the conveyance, La Paz County and any subsequent owner must
- make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts;
- minimize impacts on tribal artifacts if they are disturbed;
- coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; and
- allow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at, or near, where they were discovered.
The federal land is withdrawn from the operation of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws.