Current work in wildlife, rivers, public lands, and climate
Press Releases
Arizona State Land Department Rules for Conservation Bids On Grazing Lease
WildEarth Guardians is seeking to obtain the lease because it contains over a mile of the Little Colorado River, one of the few remaining perennial river systems located within Arizona and provides an artery of life to a significant population of wildlife. Also, the river provides habitat to the Little Colorado Spinedace, a fish classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, as well as a number of other species at risk.
“This is a historic opportunity to demonstrate the free market can protect critical wildlife habitat while at the same time increasing revenues for the State School Trust,” said Bryan Bird, Public Lands Director for WildEarth Guardians. “Competition in bidding is long overdue on State Trust Lands.”
The Land Department decision to allow for competitive bids will serve to the benefit of the State School Trust and the children who profit from the trust by generating additional revenue through competition. The Common Schools (K-12) are the largest beneficiary owning approximately 87% of the land and receiving close to 90% of the revenue. This decision provides an opportunity to free the livestock industry’s monopoly of these leases and to allow for fair-market value and bidding for leasing these state lands.
“Arizona’s school children and sensitive ecosystems will both be enhanced by the Land Department’s ruling” said Tim Hogan, Director of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, which represents WildEarth Guardians.
The particular lease comprises 6,237 acres of land located approximately six miles north of Springerville, and the Little Colorado River runs along the parcel’s western boundary. The property is also located adjacent to the Wenima Wildlife Area, managed by Arizona Department of Game & Fish to protect threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and habitats.
WildEarth Guardians submitted the application for lease in February of 2006, which is currently held by Galyn and Roxanne Knight, and expired on November 30, 2006. The State Land Department rendered its decision on October 3, 2007, and is asking the affected parties to submit their bid by November 2, 2007.
Also, notified of this decision are Wells Fargo Bank, The Stockmen’s Bank, Farmers Home Administration, and Transnation Title Insurance Company. The notification of these financial institutions raises questions about their interest in state land leasing activities. WildEarth Guardians is concerned that the welfare of Arizona’s school children is compromised by these institutions’ possible lending arrangements.
The Arizona Land Department mission is to manage State Trust lands and resources to enhance value and optimize economic return for the Trust beneficiaries that are consistent with sound stewardship, conservation, and business management principles supporting socioeconomic goals for citizens today and generations to come as well as to manage and provide support for resource conservation programs for the well-being of the public and the State’s natural environment.
Additional contact: Tim Hogan, Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, (602) 258-8850