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Public Purpose Leases and ConveyancesPublic lands can be made available under federal statutes to meet community needs for public purposes such as schools, parks, community centers, recreation facilities, administration buildings, wareyards, correctional facilities, fairgrounds, historic monuments, etc. Uses must be designed to provide services or facilities for the benefit of the public in connection with, but not limited to public health, safety, or welfare. Authorizations are made under the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.) and rules under Parts 2740 and 2912 of Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Uses primarily to support habitation, cultivation, trade, or manufacturing are not allowed under the Act. Qualified applicants include states, state instrumentalities and political subdivisions including counties and municipalities, and nonprofit associations which are authorized to acquire land.
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Because 76 percent of the lands within Washington County are managed by the federal government, communities in the area are essentially land-locked and frequently struggle to find non-federal property suitable for development of key infrastructure and amenities needed for a variety of municipal and public purposes. The ability of local towns and cities and state or county government organizations to acquire federal property at discount for such purposes under the R&PP Act gives a much needed boost for providing essential community purposes including those which sustain the high quality of life customary to this area.
Typically, qualified applicants will receive a lease from BLM to construct or develop planned facilities in accordance with an approved plan of development. Upon completion of the development, the lessee may apply for a patent which gives full title to the leaseholder subject to reversion of title to the United States if the lands are used for purposes not allowed under the Act, including sale or exchange to non-qualified parties. The following table lists the leases and patents issued for public purposes throughout Washington County.
R&PP Leases and Conveyances in Washington County, Utah*
Lease/Patent Holder | Purpose | Acres | Authorization |
Hildale City | Community Park | 70 | Lease |
Hurricane City | Sand Hollow Golf Course | 303 | Lease |
Hurricane City | Sky Mountain Golf Course | 28 | Lease |
Ivins City | Cemetery and City Wareyard | 40 | Patent |
LDS Church | Snow Canyon Seminaries | 1+ | Patent |
New Harmony Town | Community Park & Trails | 40 | Lease |
NW Spec. Service Dist. | Brookside Fire Station | 1+ | Patent |
Santa Clara City | City Park and Arboretum | 40 | Patent |
Springdale City | Cemetery and City Wareyard | 81 | Patent |
Springdale City | Town Hall, Community Center, City Park, Water Systems, Outdoor Amphitheater | 160 | Patent |
St. George City | Sand Hollow Aquatic Center | 110 | Patent |
| St. George City | Cottonwood Cove Park | 3 | Patent |
St. George City | Park & River Trail Segment | 2 | Patent |
St. George City | Red Hills Golf Course & Park | 647 | Patent |
St. George City | Pioneer Park | 361 | Patent |
St. George City | Water Treatment Plant | 28 | Patent |
State of Utah | Youth Detention Center | 11 | Patent |
Utah State Parks | Gunlock State Park | 549 | Patent |
Utah State Parks | Snow Canyon State Park | 296 | Patent |
Virgin Town | BMX Track | 10 | Lease |
Wash. Co. School Dist. | Bloomington Hills School, Ware House, Preschool, and Bus Yard | 47 | Patent |
Wash. Co. School Dist. | Horizon Elementary School | 15 | Patent |
Wash. Co. School Dist. | Snow Canyon High School, Middle School, and Preschool | 186 | Patent |
Wash. Co. School Dist. | Coral Cliffs School & The Canyons Ballfield Complex (St. George) | 80 | Patent |
Wash. Co. School Dist. | Washington City Elementary | 10 | Patent |
Wash. Co. Water Conservancy Dist. | Quail Creek Recreation Area | 825 | Lease |
Washington City | Public Works Wareyard | 16 | Patent |
Washington City | Green Springs Golf Course | 40 | Patent |
Washington City | Park, Ball Fields, and Community Center | 28 | Patent |
Washington City | Water Treatment Plant | 15 | Patent |
Washington County | Regional Sports Shooting Park | 513 | Lease |
Washington County | Washington City Library | 2 | Patent |
Washington County | Veyo Cemetery & City Park | 40 | Patent |
Washington County | Regional Landfill | 500 | Patent |
Washington County | Correctional Facilities | 41 | Patent |
Washington County | Santa Clara Library | 6 | Patent |
Washington County Interlocal Agency | Regional Park, Fairgrounds, and Municipal Facilities | 238 | Patent |
* Acres are rounded to the nearest whole number.Prior to issuing a lease or patent under the R&PP Act, BLM must assess the public lands involved in the proposal and determine that they are suitable for such purposes through a land classification. Potential applicants are required to consult with BLM’s St. George Field Office prior to filing an application to determine land availability and establishing their credentials to qualify under the Act. Subsequently, qualified applicants must pay a $100 nonrefundable filing fee and prepare a plan of development and a management plan in addition to demonstrating that they are financially and operationally capable of constructing, maintaining, and operating the approved developments in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Fee structures for annual rent or final purchase price vary depending on the applicant’s qualifications, type of use, and the extent to which the facility is open to public use. Detailed instructions on filing applications and managing properties under the Act may be found in BLM’s Recreation & Public Purposes Act (1996) publication.
