BLM Transfers 226,700 Acres of Public Lands to the U.S. Navy for Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has finalized the transfer of administrative jurisdiction, from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Navy, of approximately 226,700 acres of public lands. The transfer fulfills requirements in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 to transfer the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range to the Department of Defense.
"The BLM supports the Department of Defense’s mission and operational training at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range," said Thomas Zale, BLM El Centro Field Manager. "Transferring the BLM-managed lands to the military will enhance important operational training exercises and public safety."
The Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range is located in Imperial and Riverside counties and served as an aerial bombing and gunnery range during the 1940s. As of May 2, the lands will solely be managed by the U.S. Navy for combat operations’ training.
For more information, visit the Federal Register website at bit.ly/2qtdtWn.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.