BLM seeks comments on proposed land sale to MCC
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(MILES CITY, Mont.) – In keeping with the Administration’s goals of better serving state and local communities, the Bureau of Land Management Miles City Field Office is seeking public comments regarding the proposed sale of 11.8 acres of federal land to the Miles Community College.
The BLM is preparing an environmental assessment as part of a Notice of Intent to amend the “Miles City Field Office 2015 Approved Resource Management Plan” in order to offer the reversionary interest in the acreage by direct sale under the Federal Land Policy Management Act. The BLM is reaching out to collect public input regarding this action.
Comments will be accepted until April 5, 2018.
In 2016, Miles Community College submitted a request to purchase the “revisionary interest” in the land which the BLM had previously issued a “Recreation and Public Purpose Act” patent for a rodeo arena, equestrian events, recreation facilities and agriculture related courses and programs for MCC’s use.
When the U.S. conveys public land under the R&PP Act authority, it retains a reversionary interest in the land which allows the U.S. to regain title to the land if the R&PP patent holder does not use the land for purposes for which the U.S conveyed it, or if the patent holder sells, or transfers the land without the BLM’s approval. The BLM monitors R&PP patents’ reversionary interests in perpetuity to ensure R&PP patent holders use their patents for the purposes for which the U.S. conveyed them. By purchasing this reversionary interest, MCC would unencumber the BLM of this obligation and assume full title to the acreage.
More detailed information on the project and how to submit a comment is available by going to the BLM ePlanning page at: https://eplanning.blm.gov, and doing an advanced text search using the project name “MCC.” The EA number is: DOI-BLM-MT-C020-2016-0109-EA.
Other questions can be directed to Beth Klempel at (406) 233-2800.
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.