Senator Jon Kyl Introduces Public Lands Legislation

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) today introduced two public lands bills impacting Arizona, the Black Mountain Range and the Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2018 and the Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act, and released the following statement:

"I am proud to introduce two public lands bills that will have a positive impact on economic development, education and community in Arizona. One of these is a "win-win' land exchange, the Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2018, that would create additional opportunities for water recreation and economic development in Bullhead City while providing the federal government with a unique opportunity to consolidate environmentally-sensitive lands inside and adjacent to the Black Mountain Ecosystem Management Area, which is home to some of the largest herds of desert bighorn sheep.

"The Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act would lift the Forest Service restrictions on a square mile parcel of land, enabling the historic Lowell Observatory to expand its services to support a variety of community and educational uses. The proposed facilities, including an open deck observatory and an Astronomy Discovery Center, would enhance the Observatory's unique visitor experience and create new learning tools."

About the Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2018:
The Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2018 would facilitate a land exchange between the Department of the Interior and the City of Bullhead City, Arizona. This exchange would allow Bullhead City to acquire up to 342 acres of federal land, known as Section 12, currently owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in exchange for 1,100 acres of property in the Black Mountain Range donated to the city by Mr. Don Laughlin.
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​Full text of the Black Mountain Range and Bullhead City Land Exchange Act of 2018 here.

About the Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act:
The Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act would lift Forest Service restrictions on a one-square mile parcel of land owned by Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. By clearing Forest Service restrictions, this legislation would enable Lowell Observatory to expand its services and support a variety of community and educational uses. Last year, Lowell Observatory proposed a Master Plan that includes several new buildings, including an open deck observatory and an Astronomy Discovery Center that will incorporate a rooftop observing amphitheater and an immersive indoor Lowell Universe Theater.

The Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act has received support from the Mayor of Flagstaff, the Flagstaff City Manager, STEM City, the Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona.

About Lowell Observatory: Lowell Observatory was established in 1894 by Percival Lowell. Lowell theorized the existence of a ninth planet and began an extensive project in search of "Planet X". In 1930, 14 years after Lowell's death, "Planet X" was discovered by Lowell Observatory and named Pluto. The Observatory is also where the first evidence of the expanding Universe was gathered in 1912. Lowell Observatory today is a thriving institution of astronomical research and discovery as well as a leading center for communicating astronomy and science to the public.

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