Arizona preserve initiative;
nominated land
HB 2264 allows the State Land Commissioner to classify trust land as suitable for conservation in an area with a development plan approved prior to July 26, 1996.
The Arizona State Land Department was established in 1915 to manage state trust lands and resources to enhance value and optimize economic return for the trust beneficiaries. There are 14 beneficiaries, including common schools, universities, the state hospital and penal institutions.
Laws 1996, Chapter 347 established the Arizona Preserve Initiative, which created a process to conserve select parcels of state trust land for open space. Trust lands under consideration must be located within a certain proximity to urban areas and may be determined to be "suitable for conservation purposes" based on open space value, scenic beauty, protected plants, wildlife, archaeology and multiple use values.
In 1998, voters approved an appropriation from the state general fund of $220 million over an 11 year period ($20 million/year for fiscal years 2000-01 through 2010-11) to fund a matching grant program for purchase or lease of API lands. The Arizona State Parks Department administers the grant program. According to the State Land Department 1999-2000 Annual Report, a total of 18,900 acres have been reclassified for conservation purposes.
Current law prohibits the Commissioner from nominating or classifying trust land as suitable for conservation purposes if a development plan for the land was approved before July 26, 1996.
· Permits the State Land Commissioner to classify land with an existing development plan as “suitable for conservation” under the Arizona Preserve Initiative. Deletes language which currently prohibits consideration of land that has a development plan approved before July 26, 1996.