ARIZONA
SENATORS INTRODUCE ARIZONA LAND EXCHANGE BILL
Legislation Aimed At Consolidating And Protecting Forest Land
And Providing Economic Opportunities For Communities
For Immediate Release
Friday, Apr 11, 2003
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
yesterday jointly introduced legislation that would incorporate
35,000 acres of forest and range lands owned by Yavapai Ranch
into the Prescott National Forest. In exchange, lower-elevation
grazing lands and other federal lands in the communities of Flagstaff,
Williams, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde would be exchanged
to Yavapai Ranch. These communities and six different camps plan
to purchase portions of these parcels from Yavapai Ranch.
"Overall, this land exchange represents a
significant opportunity to improve management of forest lands
and resources in northern Arizona, while yielding needed economic
opportunities sought by local communities," said McCain.
"Senator Kyl and I have worked hard to develop a bill that
we believe will ensure a fair and balanced exchange." McCain
further noted, "We recognize that the legislation is a work
in progress and we expect to further evaluate the key aspects
of the proposal in public hearings and throughout the legislative
process."
"This exchange is a long-term investment
in Arizona's environmental health, giving federal protection to
critical animal habitats, the largest stand of privately-owned
pine forests in the state, and one of Arizona's last untouched
antelope valleys," Kyl said. "Consolidating these areas
in the Prescott National Forest will greatly aid the application
of forest treatments to improve overall forest health, protect
watersheds, and give Arizonans' better recreational opportunities."
The
land to be conveyed to the Prescott National Forest is adjacent
to the Juniper Mesa Wilderness Area in northwestern Yavapai County.
This includes Yavapai Ranch's old-growth ponderosa pine, oak,
and alligator juniper forestlands in addition to grasslands comprising
prime antelope habitat. In return, Yavapai Ranch would receive
approximately 15,000 acres of lower-elevation grazing lands on
the north end of Yavapai Ranch and more than 5,800 acres in the
Verde Valley, Flagstaff, Williams, and Prescott areas, a substantial
portion of which will be passed through to municipalities and
summer camps.
