Through this land exchange, Yavapai Ranch would convey approximately 35,000 acres of land north of the Juniper Mesa Wilderness Area to the U.S. Forest Service. In exchange, the Forest Service would convey approximately 21,250 acres to Yavapai Ranch. These parcels include 15,300 acres of lower-elevation grazing lands that would continue to be ranched, and approximately 5,850 acres in the Verde Valley, Flagstaff, Williams, and Prescott areas.

The community parcels were included in the trade at the request of the cities and towns to provide land to fulfill their municipal, economic growth management and open space plans. These parcels will accommodate planned growth on already impacted lands, and development on Verde Valley parcels will adhere to unprecedented water use and conservation measures. Other parcels are included in the trade at the request of youth camps who wish to acquire and manage the lands used by their programs.

All municipalities and youth camps with land involved in the trade support the exchange.

The Forest Service is strongly committed to this exchange in order to consolidate ownership and management of an important watershed above the Verde Valley, and to protect old growth forest lands, wildlife habitat, wilderness recreation areas, and cultural and archeological sites.

This complex trade involves the Prescott, Kaibab and Coconino National Forests; Yavapai and Coconino Counties; and the Cities and Towns of Flagstaff, Williams, Clarkdale, and Camp Verde.

The terms of this congressionally authorized land exchange require formal appraisals in full compliance with the Federal standards, as well as all required environmental, archeological and cultural analyses.

Click here to read the joint statements by Senator John McCain and Senator Jon Kyl introducing the bill, or their joint press statement.

Click here to read samples of endorsement statements from municipalities, youth camps, elected officials, conservation organizations, and economic development organizations.