BLM invites comments on proposed expanded withdrawal for Yuma Proving Ground
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PHOENIX — The Bureau of Land Management is evaluating the withdrawal of 22,000 acres of federal public land adjacent to Yuma Proving Ground for up to five years, while the BLM and the United States Army analyze the potential environmental impacts of the Army’s application to add the lands to the existing complex for a longer period.
Under the Army’s application, known as the Yuma Proving Ground Highway 95 Addition, the public land located near Highway 95 in La Paz and Yuma Counties, would be reserved by Congress for national defense purposes, and serve as a precision parachute safety buffer in support of the Army’s military testing and training mission.
The BLM is serving as a cooperating agency to the Army, which is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the environmental consequences of a withdrawal of these public lands. The 5-year withdrawal requested would maintain the environmental baseline of the landscape in the meantime by withdrawing the land from potential uses under the public land laws—including the mining, mineral, and geothermal leasing laws—that may have lasting impacts on the land, subject to valid existing rights. The land would remain open for permitted recreation and licensed hunting during the environmental analysis.
“This 5-year withdrawal is an important first step in helping the Army begin its environmental analysis of the proposed addition of public lands to the Yuma Proving Ground,” said BLM Arizona State Director Raymond Suazo. “This withdrawal would enable the public to continue to enjoy the land for permitted recreation and hunting while also maintaining the environmental condition of the landscape while we analyze potential future impacts of withdrawing these lands for military use.”
After the Environmental Impact Statement is complete, the proposal will be evaluated and a recommendation will be made to Congress, which will decide whether to approve the additional 22,000 acres of public land to Yuma Proving Ground.
A Notice of Proposed Withdrawal will appear in the Federal Register on June 30; this publication segregates the land from appropriation under the laws specified in the notice for 2 years, initiates a 90-day public comment period, and announces public meetings. The public may submit comments on the proposed withdrawal from today until Sept. 28, 2022. Comments may be emailed to BLM_AZ_Withdrawal_Comments@blm.gov or sent by mail to:
Bureau of Land Management, Arizona
Attn: Michael Ouellett
One North Central Avenue
Suite 800
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
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.