On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it had reached an agreement with the Utah Trust Lands Administration to exchange approximately 116,042 acres of non-Federal lands in exchange for approximately 89,390 acres of Federal lands. These lands fall across four counties, with a bulk of the lands located in Emery County.
The lands acquired by the BLM fall either within or adjacent to the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, the Green River Wild and Scenic Rivers Corridor and the John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area. These areas were created as a part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. This act was signed into law by President Donald Trump, and according to the BLM website,” consists of more than 100 individual bills that were introduced by 50 Senators and several House members, including Utah’s Emery County Public Lands Management Act.
In a press release published by the BLM, they explain the public interest behind this exchange,” The land exchange will serve the public interest by consolidating both Federal and non-Federal lands to enhance public and private access and allow for more efficient and effective management,” and,” Allowing the State to acquire Federal parcels to consolidate State lands to increase the State’s opportunities for generating revenue in support of Utah’s public schools; and Reducing the State’s burden for managing parcels surrounded by BLM-managed conservation lands.
Acting BLM Utah State Director Matthew Preston stated,” The collaborative process that has been carried out assures Utah will gain additional productive lands that benefit its public schools, while the BLM is able to effectively manage wilderness areas and enhance popular recreation areas beloved by outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.”
Within the Castle Country Area, the BLM acquires 109,276.38 acres of surface and subsurface, 523.45 acres of subsurface, 40 acres of surface and oil and gas and other minerals, 80.17 acres oil and gas including sand and gravel, 237.68 acres of oil and gas and other minerals and 80.19 acres sand and gravel.
However, the Castle Country also gains a significant amount of land in the exchange, with 19,836.69 acres of surface and minerals, and 120 acres of coal returning to the county. Carbon County also gains land, 360.01 acres of surface and minerals. These acres become nonfederal land and fall under the purview of the Utah Trust Lands Administration.
The release concludes, “The legal transfer of parcel ownership is expected to be completed in early 2025.”
To view a map of the land being exchanged or to view the notice of decision, you can find the document here. The official decision record can also be viewed by following this link.
*Photo by Jared Brogan, BLM Utah