Public comments sought as BLM evaluates public land lease to Pinal County for proposed regional park
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management, Lower Sonoran Field Office, is processing a request from the Pinal County Board of Supervisors to lease approximately 498 acres of public lands for a regional park in Gold Canyon, Ariz. The application has been made under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, which allows municipalities the ability to lease federally-managed public lands for public purposes.
Pinal County is one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S., and there is an increasing need for recreational access on public lands for local residents and families. The proposed park would provide access to recreational opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, tent camping, an equestrian area, and picnic locations.
The BLM is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act, to analyze the environmental impacts of leasing the lands. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposal and help inform the environmental analysis during a 30-day public scoping period that begins with the publication of this Notice.
Maps of the project area, a conceptual plan of the park, and other information can be found through the BLM’s online land use planning tool, ePlanning, at https://go.usa.gov/xnjx6.
A Notice of Realty Action for the lease published in the Federal Register on Dec. 13, 2018.
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.