Rep. Mike Simpson Questions Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Land Exchange Authorities

Land Exchange Authorities and Tools

• 🔑 Rep. Mike Simpson inquired whether the Interior Department possesses all necessary authorities and tools to effectively execute land exchanges.
• 🛠️ Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the department has a "good set of tools" currently available.

Utah Land Exchange Example

• 🤝 A significant land exchange with the state of Utah, involving approximately 200,000 acres of federal land and 188,000 acres of state land, was successfully completed in February.
• 🧩 This exchange helped resolve "checkerboard" land ownership patterns, consolidating federal wilderness areas and providing contiguous land for state use, such as affordable housing or state parks.
• 🏞️ The swap ensured that public lands remained in public hands, benefiting both federal and state management.

Opportunities for Future Land Exchanges

• 💡 Burgum highlighted the ongoing opportunity for similar land exchanges, referencing historical land grants to railroads that created checkerboard patterns.
• 👨‍⚖️ Drawing on his experience as a former governor and chairman of a land board, Burgum noted the value of moving lands to more local control for specific uses.
• 🌍 He emphasized that local and state entities often have a deeper understanding and commitment to managing land, water, and wildlife.

Federal Land Ownership in Western States

• 📊 Simpson pointed out the high percentage of federal land ownership in western states like Nevada (over 80%), Alaska, and Idaho (64%), contrasting with eastern states that have minimal federal land.
• ⚖️ He expressed concern that high federal land ownership can restrict opportunities for western states to prosper compared to eastern states.
• ⛰️ Simpson stressed the importance of public lands remaining accessible for recreation and use, noting that private ownership can lead to access issues, sometimes requiring extensive detours.
• ✅ Burgum affirmed that the department is reviewing potential obstacles to efficiently using public lands and ensuring states have opportunities to prosper.