BLM transfers land ownership to Tucson Unified School District

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

Media Contact:

Dolores Garcia, Public Affairs Specialist

TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, the Bureau of Land Management issued a patent, transferring ownership of 27.5 acres of land to the Tucson Unified School District, which paid fair market value. This action completes the conveyance of the Recreation & Public Purposes reversionary interests to Hohokam Middle School, identified as Parcel C in Public Law 116-9, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.

This latest conveyance clears the way for the Tucson Unified School District to expand educational opportunities for students as Tucson’s population continues to grow. The Hohokam Middle School was previously on land held in trust and operated by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Under the Dingell Act, in return for Parcel C, the Tribe received 39.64 acres in September 2020, known as Parcel A, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe.

“We are pleased to be good neighbors with the Tucson Unified School District and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, helping them to expand their services to the community,” said BLM Arizona State Director Raymond Suazo.

The BLM allows for the use of public lands by a State agency or a political subdivision of the State and qualifying non-profit organizations under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. A Recreation and Public Purposes Act patent or lease may be issued when it serves a public purpose or public recreation need.


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.