PRESCOTT, AZ - Representative Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) issued the following statement after introducing the “Laughlin/Bullhead Airport Land Conveyance Act,” legislation that would transfer approximately 10 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to Mohave County for the Mohave County Airport Authority’s use of operating the airport and providing related services.
“Everyone living in Federal land states understands the hardships that a checkerboard of old disconnected pieces of federal land has on a community’s ability to attract investment, modernize and create jobs. That is certainly the case with these 10 acres of land in Mohave County.
More than half of this parcel of land sits inside the airport security fence and should have been transferred to the county 30 years ago when the airport was founded. It only makes sense that the airport own and control this property. Finally, after many years, we have been able to resolve outstanding jurisdictional confusion and are moving forward with this bill to make the land ownership clear and free BLM from continued management of this piece of property,” said Congressman Gosar.
BACKGROUND
In the 1980’s and 1990’s, much of the land that makes up the current Laughlin/Bullhead Airport was consolidated under the ownership of Mohave County. However, a ten-acre parcel was held by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and not included in the parcels owned by the county. The parcel was then transferred to BLM, where it has resided since. Last year, while working on runway maintenance, the Airport Authority was required to apply for a new lease of the property from the BLM to secure financing. While that lease was processed, the experience highlighted the unnecessary burden created by the fractured land ownership. This act will consolidate the land with Mohave County and the Airport Authority. Importantly, the bill is requested and supported by the Mohave County Airport Authority.
The following map depicts the federal lands that would convey to Mohave County:
