The land exchange conveys 80 acres of isolated BLM land in California to private ownership in return for the donation of 40 acres of private land to the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. The Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, located in Cibola, Arizona provides protection and habitat for migratory birds including more than 288 species.
Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar said he was “proud to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation which reduces the federal footprint, increases BLM efficiency and results in a net reduction of lands managed by the federal government. I was happy to see this bill successfully pass the House and I look forward to the Senate voting on it in a timely manner. H.R. 3006 is a responsible land exchange for U.S. taxpayers as it requires that the value of the lands exchanged to be equalized. The land exchange requires compliance with all existing laws and regulations including maintaining current valid existing rights, rights-of-way and utility lines.”
The 80 acres of BLM land were identified for disposal in the Yuma Field Office’s 2010 Resource Management Plan. The Department of Interior, the BLM, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Refuge also support the land exchange and recognize the value of the habitat rich land parcel that will be brought into the Refuge.