February 23, 2015
Phoenix, Ariz.—A new land acquisition for the Agua Fria National Monument by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will provide additional resource protection to natural and cultural resources at two separate locations on Black Mesa between the Interstate 17 Sunset Point rest area and the Agua Fria River to the east.
This week, the BLM acquired 80 acres of the Cross Y Ranch—one 40-acre parcel one mile directly west of the Cross Y Ranch headquarters and another 40-acre parcel three miles north of the headquarters.
“We are thrilled to have the additional habitat and very grateful to our partners, especially the original land owner who chose to have his land become part of the National Conservation Lands and The Conservation Fund, which made this possible.” said Rem Hawes, manager of the BLM’s Hassayampa Field Office.
The land owner sold the Cross Y to The Conservation Fund on May 25, 2012. For nearly three years, the BLM has been working with The Conservation Fund to purchase these inholdings within the Monument. The BLM paid the appraised market value of $80,000 using Land and Water Conservation Act funds.
“The Cross Y Ranch includes substantial water rights, nearly one mile of the Agua Fria River, wildlife migratory corridors, cultural resources, and opportunities for public access to Monument lands,” said Mike Ford, director of The Conservation Fund’s Southwest Regional Office.
According to Hawes, the Arizona Game and Fish Department also support the acquisition because the BLM will conserve and protect additional desert grasslands, which are rare in central Arizona and are rich in habitat for numerous species including pronghorn.
“These scenic lands also include meaningful prehistoric and historic sites that will now be protected forever as part of the BLM Agua Fria National Monument,” Hawes added. The properties also lie within Perry Mesa Archaeological District on the National Register of Historic Places, which is why the State Historic Preservation Office also supports the acquisition.
In 2013 and 2014, the BLM developed an environmental assessment regarding the acquisition project and sought input from approximately 400 individuals, stakeholders, interested parties, and interagency partners. Most of the feedback the agency received was in favor of the proposed land acquisition.
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land since 1985.
About the Bureau of Land Management
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.
Press Release Contacts
Ann Simonelli | The Conservation Fund | 703-908-5809 | asimonelli@conservationfund.org
Robin Murphy | The Conservation Fund | 703-797-2507 | rmurphy@conservationfund.org
Pamela Mathis | Bureau of Land Management | 602.402.7690 | 623.580.5509
This week, the BLM acquired 80 acres of the Cross Y Ranch—one 40-acre parcel one mile directly west of the Cross Y Ranch headquarters and another 40-acre parcel three miles north of the headquarters.
“We are thrilled to have the additional habitat and very grateful to our partners, especially the original land owner who chose to have his land become part of the National Conservation Lands and The Conservation Fund, which made this possible.” said Rem Hawes, manager of the BLM’s Hassayampa Field Office.
The land owner sold the Cross Y to The Conservation Fund on May 25, 2012. For nearly three years, the BLM has been working with The Conservation Fund to purchase these inholdings within the Monument. The BLM paid the appraised market value of $80,000 using Land and Water Conservation Act funds.
“The Cross Y Ranch includes substantial water rights, nearly one mile of the Agua Fria River, wildlife migratory corridors, cultural resources, and opportunities for public access to Monument lands,” said Mike Ford, director of The Conservation Fund’s Southwest Regional Office.
According to Hawes, the Arizona Game and Fish Department also support the acquisition because the BLM will conserve and protect additional desert grasslands, which are rare in central Arizona and are rich in habitat for numerous species including pronghorn.
“These scenic lands also include meaningful prehistoric and historic sites that will now be protected forever as part of the BLM Agua Fria National Monument,” Hawes added. The properties also lie within Perry Mesa Archaeological District on the National Register of Historic Places, which is why the State Historic Preservation Office also supports the acquisition.
In 2013 and 2014, the BLM developed an environmental assessment regarding the acquisition project and sought input from approximately 400 individuals, stakeholders, interested parties, and interagency partners. Most of the feedback the agency received was in favor of the proposed land acquisition.
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.5 million acres of land since 1985.
About the Bureau of Land Management
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.
Press Release Contacts
Ann Simonelli | The Conservation Fund | 703-908-5809 | asimonelli@conservationfund.org
Robin Murphy | The Conservation Fund | 703-797-2507 | rmurphy@conservationfund.org
Pamela Mathis | Bureau of Land Management | 602.402.7690 | 623.580.5509
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