BLM seeks public comments on noncompetitive land sale to Gila River Indian Community
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a noncompetitive sale of two land parcels to the Gila River Indian Community (Community). The sale of 3,380.69 acres abutting the Gila River Indian Reservation was requested by the Community in 2015. The Community intends to move the lands in Federal Trust status upon completion of the sale.
The BLM is seeking public comments on the proposed sale. Comments can be submitted via mail to Edward Kender, BLM Lower Sonoran Field Office, 21605 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, or via email to blm_az_azso_maricopalandsale@blm.gov.
In addition to this opportunity to provide written comments, two public meetings will be held on the following dates and times at the following locations:
- July 10, 6-9 p.m., at the BLM National Training Center, 9828 N. 31st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85051
- July 12, 6-9 p.m., at the Gila River Indian Community District 7 Service Center, 8035 S 83rd Avenue, Laveen Village, AZ 85339.
Attendees to the July 10 meeting will be required to produce a state or federally issued form of identification for entry to the meeting facility.
The public comment period ends July 23.
The lands were designated as suitable for disposal in the 2012 BLM Lower Sonoran Record of Decision and approved Resource Management Plan, because it is uneconomical for the BLM to manage them as public lands and they are not needed for any Federal purpose. The sale of these lands are limited to federal, state, local, and tribal governments.
Federal law requires the lands be sold at fair market value, which appraised for $9,620,000 by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Valuation Services.
One parcel, 3,180.35 acres, adjoins the Community’s reservation on its northwestern border in Maricopa County. The other parcel, 200.34 acres, is on the southern border of the reservation in Pinal County.
The Notice of Realty Action for a noncompetitive sale and conveyance of mineral interests of public lands was published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2018.
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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.