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Land exchanges are a common-sense tool that enables the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other landowners to improve land management, consolidate ownership, and protect environmentally sensitive areas. By exchanging public land that is isolated and difficult to manage, the BLM is able to acquire other lands with importance for recreation, wildlife, fisheries, wetlands, habitat for threatened and endangered species, wilderness, open space, scenic, cultural and other resource conservation purposes. Land exchange allows the BLM to reposition lands into more manageable units and to meet community expansion needs. Using an open, transparent and comprehensive approach, the BLM is moving forward on priority land exchanges in conformance with the requirements of law. Land exchange continues to be the BLM's preferred method of land ownership adjustment with State governments.
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Exchanges are only pursued with willing landowners. The lands to be exchanged must be of equal monetary value and located within the same State. Exchange is an alternative to purchase when Federal "purchase" funds are limited or when the non-Federal party has land tenure goals they wish to achieve. Exchange benefits the public by: - Placing public land in private ownership to serve local needs, and
- Consolidating ownership of scattered tracts of land for more efficient and less costly management of resources.
Exchange Processing Steps The time from a non-Federal party’s initial contact with the BLM until title to the Federal and non-Federal properties are exchanged generally ranges from 18 months to two years depending on the complexity of the exchange. The time period may be shorter or longer depending on the need to resolve resource or title issues, mitigate impacts, or resolve protests or appeals. There are five phases associated with the processing of a land exchange: - Phase 1, development of a land exchange proposal, requires about 90 days*. The BLM and potential exchange parties meet to discuss land exchange processing requirements and capabilities, the potential lands to be included, and potential benefits and issues, as well as to informally share ideas about proposed land exchanges. This informal discussion and initial screening helps identify proposals that have fatal flaws, or those that would be otherwise unworkable.
- Phase 2, feasibility evaluation, requires about 160 days. In consultation with the non-Federal party, the BLM prepares a report assessing the feasibility of the land exchange proposal, estimates processing costs, and completes required State Office and Washington Office reviews. At the end of this period, if the parties agree to proceed with the exchange proposal, a nonbinding agreement to initiate a land exchange (ATI) is signed by the parties. The ATI outlines the property and interests to be transferred, assigns responsibility for various actions and costs, and sets a schedule for completing various actions.
- Phase 3, processing and documentation, requires about five months for completion if there are no critical issues. This phase begins with public notification of the proposed exchange and an invitation to interested parties and the public to submit written comments or concerns regarding the proposed exchange. During this phase, resource analysis occurs, title is reviewed, appraisals prepared and reviewed, and environmental issues identified and resolved. At the end of this period, the parties may reach an agreement on value.
- Phase 4, decision analysis and approval, requires about 130 days unless a protest or appeal is filed. This phase involves the public interest determination, development of the exchange decision documents, completion of State Office and Washington Office reviews, decision signing, and public notification of the decision on the exchange.
- Phase 5, title transfer, requires 30 to 45 days for finalization of the exchange including receiving and reviewing the title evidence and land status, issuing the Federal patent and the non-Federal deed, and closing the transaction.
* Estimates shown are for an estimated 18 to 24 month land exchange process. Actual time may vary. Additional information is accessible through our links page. Prior to developing a land exchange proposal, please contact your nearest BLM Office to discuss the availability of lands as well as processing details.
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