H.R. 8686: To amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 to withdraw and reserve certain public land in the vicinity of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

This bill proposes to amend existing legislation regarding public lands near the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The primary objective of the bill is to withdraw and reserve specific areas of public land to enhance military readiness and security. Below are the key components of what the bill entails:

Withdrawal of Public Lands

The bill seeks to officially withdraw approximately 21,782.98 acres of federal land and an additional 249.29 acres from various uses, including:

• Entry and appropriation under public land laws.
• Mining activities.
• Disposition under laws related to mineral and geothermal leasing.

Description of the Land

The withdrawn land is detailed in the bill and includes:

• A large area generally depicted in specified maps as the Highway 95 Requested Withdrawal Area, excluding about 800 acres of subsurface estate owned by the State of Arizona.
• The Howard Cantonment area, which is also part of the withdrawal.

Purpose of Withdrawal

The reserved land will be used by the Secretary of the Army for military purposes, in line with past public land orders.

Management of the Withdrawn Land

Management responsibilities for the withdrawn land may be assigned to the Secretary of the Army, and the following activities may be allowed, provided they align with applicable laws:

• Wildlife conservation.
• Preservation of cultural resources.
• Management of wild horses and burros.
• Recreational use, including public access and hunting.
• Fire management to prevent fires caused by non-military activities.

Regulation of Nondefense Uses

Any nondefense-related use of the land will be subject to conditions set by the Secretary of the Army in order to not interfere with military operations.

Issuance of Land Use Authorizations

The Secretary of the Interior will issue any necessary leases or permits for activities that affect both the reserved land and adjacent non-federal land, but these must have the Army's consent and comply with its conditions.

Utility Corridor Provisions

The bill also allows the Secretary of the Interior to provide rights-of-way for critical utility infrastructure within designated areas without requiring the Army's consent, though the Army will be consulted to minimize impact on military operations.

Duration of Land Withdrawal

The land withdrawal and reservation established by this bill will remain in place indefinitely or until the Secretary of the Army decides there is no longer a need for military use.

Relevant Companies

• None found