PHOENIX - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites public input on a proposed Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act lease of approximately 498 acres of public land for recreation development in Pinal County. Under the proposal, Pinal County Open Space and Trails would develop a variety of recreation facilities, including picnic tables and shelters, equestrian and hiking trails, restrooms, campsites and educational kiosks.
The R&PP Act allows for state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to apply for the leasing of public lands for the construction and maintenance of facilities such as schools, fire stations and parks.
“This proposal illustrates how partners and the community can come together to formulate new ideas that may enhance recreation access on public lands," said BLM Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas.
An open house-style meeting will be held from 6-8 p.m. on June 4, at the Central Arizona College, Superstition Mountain Campus, located at 805 South Idaho Road, in Apache Junction. The meeting will take place in the Community Room (B-126).
As part of processing the R&PP lease application, the BLM has prepared an environmental assessment (EA). The EA provides analysis of the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the R&PP lease. The EA and supporting documents can be found on the BLM online land use planning tool, ePlanning at: https://go.usa.gov/xENTs.
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments for the record through the ePlanning website. Written comments may also be mailed to Brian Buttazoni at the Phoenix District Office, 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85027, faxed to 623-580-5580, or emailed to PDOEA@blm.gov.
The 30-day public comment period will run from May 23 until June 21.
Before including any personal identifying information in any comments, be aware that this information may be made publicly available at any time. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
