Bureau of Land Management increases public access to Arizona monument
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management today completed a land acquisition project totaling 621 acres owned by the Cross Y Ranch from The Conservation Fund (TCF). The lands—undeveloped portions of the ranch—are located along the southern boundary of the Agua Fria National Monument (Monument) in Yavapai County and will improve recreational access to BLM lands near the Phoenix metropolitan area.
“Expanding recreational access to public lands is one of President Trump's and the BLM’s highest priorities, and this acquisition in particular will be a tremendous boon for outdoor recreation enthusiasts in one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas," said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation learned the value of lands such as the Agua Fria National Monument to get away, rejuvenate, reinvigorate, and decompress. Now all Americans will have that recreational access.”
In addition to strong community and user group support, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service have offered their support for the land acquisition. There was no legal access to the southern portion of the Monument, located 50 miles north of downtown Phoenix and the expanding metropolitan area. These lands will provide a variety of recreational opportunities, including hunting and hiking.
“We are proud to have reached the culmination of this process in partnership with The Conservation Fund,” said Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas. “We look forward to managing the valuable resources encompassed in this land acquisition and providing access to the public.”
Benefits of this acquisition include new legal public access to public lands that were previously inaccessible, additional recreation opportunities in the Monument, and cultural resources within Perry Mesa Archaeological District on the National Register of Historic Places.
The acquisition aligns with Secretary's Order 3356, which directs the BLM and other Department of the Interior Bureaus to identify ways to expand access for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation on agency-managed lands.
The appraisal approved by the Department of the Interior Appraisals and Valuation Services Office in 2019 was accepted by TCF totaling $1,430,000 for the 621 acres at fair market value. The land acquisition uses Land and Water Conservation Fund approved funds.
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.