S. 909: La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

This bill, known as the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act, aims to facilitate the transfer of certain federal land to La Paz County, Arizona, to promote solar energy initiatives and job creation in the area. Below is a breakdown of the main provisions of the bill:

Key Provisions

The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of land, currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management, to La Paz County. Here are the main components:

Land Conveyance

• Request for Conveyance: La Paz County can request the Secretary of the Interior to convey the specified federal land.
• Conditions: The conveyance will be subject to valid existing rights and terms set by the Secretary.
• Exclusions: The Secretary will exclude any land that has significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources from the conveyance.

Value and Payment

The county will be required to pay the fair market value for the federal land, which will be established through a formal appraisal process that adheres to federal standards. This includes:

• Appraisals based on the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions.
• Payment of all costs associated with the conveyance process, including surveys and administrative expenses.

Protection of Tribal Artifacts

In the context of the land conveyance, the county will have obligations to protect tribal cultural artifacts:

• Make efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts during any development.
• Coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office for the identification of significant artifacts.
• Facilitate the reburial of unearthed artifacts by tribal representatives.

Withdrawal from Mining Laws

The federal land being conveyed will be withdrawn from the operations of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws, meaning it cannot be used for mining or similar activities.

Map Availability and Adjustments

A map detailing the land to be conveyed will be made available for public inspection. Minor adjustments to the boundary of the land can be made with mutual agreement between the Secretary and La Paz County.

Use of Proceeds from Sale

Proceeds from the sale of this federal land will be deposited into the Federal Land Disposal Account, to be used according to the guidelines established in related federal laws.

Relevant Companies

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