Yavapai Ranch Press Statement

YAVAPAI RANCH Fred & Mary Ruskin Pager (602) 259-8533
Ranch: P.O. Box 128 Seligman, Arizona 86337 Tel (928) 925-5501	Business Office: 7528N. Clearwater Pkwy Scottsdale, Arizona 85253 Tel (480) 948-6080 Fax (480) 948-6080

Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003

On April 9, U.S. Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl jointly introduced federal legislation that represents an historic commitment to northern Arizona’s environmental and economic health. The proposed Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003 will facilitate a large and very complex land exchange that is the product of years of discussions between my family, the Forest Service, community groups, local officials and other stakeholders.

Through this exchange, 35,000 acres of Yavapai Ranch, representing the vast majority of the private undeveloped in-holdings within all the National Forests in Arizona, will be consolidated into forest service management. These lands are adjacent to the Juniper Mesa Wilderness Area and include old growth woodlands, valued wildlife habitats, a vital watershed, and important cultural and archeological sites. This exchange will ensure that a 110-square mile area will be preserved in its natural state and protected from potential development.

Northern Arizona’s communities endorse the exchange for the opportunities it presents to fulfill important economic, municipal, growth management, and open space goals. A substantial portion of the Forest Service parcels that will be traded in Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Williams and Flagstaff will be passed through to these municipalities. Several of 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. Six church and community youth camps will also benefit by the opportunity to acquire the lands they currently lease.

Many people are to be commended for their work on behalf of this historic exchange. I would like to convey my personal appreciation for the hard work of our Congressional Delegation and their staffs, numerous conservation organizations, the Forest Service, and the leaders and citizens of northern Arizona’s cities and towns. As noted by Senators McCain and Kyl, everyone has worked very hard to bring the exchange to this point.

It is important to note that there are a couple of components of the current legislation that would make the exchange unworkable for the Yavapai Ranch in its current form. However, as our Senators have stated, the legislation is a work in progress. We remain confident that as the bill moves through the process, remaining issues can be resolved out so that the exchange can become a reality.

We will work diligently with the Congressional delegation through this process, so that the final legislation is mutually acceptable to all of the engaged parties, and northern Arizona and its residents can realize the significant conservation and economic benefits of this exchange.