H.R. 2468

Statement for the Record 
Bureau of Land Management 
U.S. Department of the Interior

House Committee on Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Federal Lands
H.R. 2468, Mountain View Corridor Completion Act

July 20, 2023

Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this Statement for the Record on H.R. 2468, the Mountain View Corridor Completion Act.  The bill directs the conveyance of approximately 36 acres of Federal lands within the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the state of Utah to be used for public or transportation purposes.  

The parcels proposed for conveyance under H.R. 2468 have been withdrawn for military purposes since 1914 and are not actively managed by the BLM.  The BLM has no objection to the bill and would welcome the opportunity to work with the sponsor on certain technical modifications.

Background
According to the Record of Decision issued by the Federal Highway Administration, Utah Division, the construction of the Mountain View Corridor freeway is intended to address the need for a continuous north-south transportation facility from western Salt Lake County to northern Utah County, which has been identified in long-range transportation plans since the 1960s.  The corridor is in the vicinity of the approximately 24,000-acre Utah National Guard training site at Camp Williams, which is comprised of both Federal and State lands.  

H.R. 2468
H.R. 2468 directs the Secretary to convey approximately 36 acres under the administrative jurisdiction of the BLM to the State of Utah within 60 days of enactment and without consideration.  Under the bill, the proposed conveyance would revert to the Department if the Secretary and the Governor determine that any portion of the land is sold or not used for public or transportation purposes. The bill also requires the BLM to create a map and legal description of the lands proposed for conveyance.

Analysis
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 stipulates that the conveyance or sale of public lands may occur when it is determined to be in the public interest and is consistent with approved land use plans that have been developed with public involvement and environmental analysis. FLPMA also requires that such lands be conveyed for no less than their appraised fair market value.  However, Congress has provided mechanisms to transfer public lands to local governments and nonprofits at little or no cost to be used for public purposes in certain circumstances.  The BLM is not aware of any natural resource management concerns on the 36 acres proposed for conveyance and has no objection to the bill given its assurance that the lands to be conveyed will be for public purposes or to meet transportation needs benefiting the public and the Utah National Guard at Camp Williams.

Additionally, the BLM notes that finalizing the boundaries of the conveyance and completing necessary environmental reviews may not be possible within the 60-day timeframe provided to complete the conveyance.  The BLM recommends allowing additional time to define and adjust the boundaries as necessary to ensure the final proposal is sufficient to meet any requirements for use as a public road operated by Utah Department of Transportation.  We would welcome the opportunity to work with the sponsor on technical modifications to address these issues.

Conclusion
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this statement for the record.