BLM conveys public lands for Colorado City Airport use
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ST. GEORGE, Utah —The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has conveyed approximately 141 acres of public land located adjacent to the Colorado City Airport to the Town of Colorado City, for airport use. The move supports compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airport safety and design standards, as portions of the airport safety and fly-over zones are located on the conveyed lands.
The conveyance patent was presented this morning by Michael Herder, BLM Arizona Strip District Manager, to the Town of Colorado City at the Colorado City Airport.
“The BLM is pleased to work with the local community, FAA and other partners to help ensure the safety and modernization of the Colorado City Airport and our regional transportation infrastructure in Mohave County,” said Herder. “The land conveyance will have substantial, positive impacts for the airport, the community, and the many visitors who fly into the area each year for business and to access nearby recreation areas like Water and Squirrel Canyons, and Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks.”
The Town of Colorado City applied for a Federal Aviation Administration grant that would support the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace by providing control of the lands adjacent to the airport runway, to ensure compatible land uses, thereby enhancing overall safety. Incompatible land uses could have resulted in obstructions and posed safety risks to aircraft landings and takeoffs.
Both the BLM and FAA approved the decision to convey 141.38 acres of public land. The conveyance was analyzed in an environmental assessment (EA) prepared by the FAA, with the BLM serving as a cooperating agency, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA and associated documents are posted on the BLM’s ePlanning website.
The conveyance authority is pursuant to the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982. This action also required approval by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ recently reviewed and approved the land conveyance document.
A Notice of Realty Action (NORA) for the Town of Colorado City, Arizona, airport conveyance was published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2019. The NORA also provided the public with a 45-day public comment period.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.