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POCATELLO, Idaho – As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to responsibly develop the nation’s natural resources, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Falls District Office has approved the Blackrock Land Exchange. The exchange will enable the J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot) to expand its operations at the Don Plant near Pocatello, in exchange for a greater amount of acreage that will provide permanent protection for crucial mule deer winter habitat and public recreational access within the Blackrock Canyon Recreation Management Zone. 

“The lands the BLM is receiving provide outstanding recreational opportunities, while protecting crucial habitat for mule deer and other native species. This exchange also ensures that Simplot can continue to contribute to eastern Idaho’s economy,” said Casey Hammond, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management. “Working cooperatively with neighbors and stakeholders, the BLM continues to deliver on the President’s agenda to support jobs and the economy.” 

“This exchange provides tremendous benefits to the local community and the people of Idaho, as well as wildlife and scenic values in the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Canyon area,” said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley. “We’ve secured permanent protection and access to lands tied into the popular trail system and enabled Simplot to improve its environmental footprint, both now and into the future.”  

The 713.6 acres of Federal land being conveyed to Simplot are adjacent to its Don Plant outside Pocatello, and will enable the company to construct cooling ponds in order to reduce fluoride emissions, provide additional space for plant operations and extend the life of the plant. In exchange, Simplot is donating a 160-acre parcel voluntarily and providing an additional 666.46 acres of non-Federal land located within the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Canyon area.  

Acquisition of those lands will provide a net gain in BLM-administered crucial mule deer winter range and secure permanent public access within the popular Blackrock Canyon Recreation Management Zone. Blackrock Canyon is associated with the Chinese Peak–Blackrock Trail System, providing nonmotorized and motorized users over 40 miles of trails to utilize for off-highway vehicles, equestrian uses, mountain biking and hiking. In addition, the exchange was modified to protect a key cultural site by keeping it in federal ownership. 

The Blackrock Land Exchange Final Environmental Impact Statement is the foundation for the BLM’s Record of Decision and the proposed land exchange. The BLM analyzed several alternatives during the planning effort; the agency ultimately approved Alternative B because it provides the greatest net benefit to the public, based on economic and technical considerations, agency missions and national policy considerations. Alternative B adjusts the boundary of the Federal lands to minimize cultural resource impacts, allows for a net gain of public lands, and makes additional lands available for tribal uses.  

In support of Secretary’s Order 3373, Evaluating Public Access in BLM Public Land Disposals and Exchange, the BLM analyzed the impact of the proposed land exchange on the public’s ability to access Federal lands for recreation. The BLM determined the land exchange would result in benefits to recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and consolidated management of Federal lands. 

The ROD approving the exchange is available on the BLM ePlanning project website, which can be accessed by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser:  https://go.usa.gov/xEUuc. For more information, please contact BLM Pocatello Project Manager Bryce Anderson at 208-478-6353 or bdanderson@blm.gov.