arizona news – On October 18, Prescott National Forest Supervisor Sarah Clawson signed a Notice of Determination approving an equivalent exchange of land currently owned by the Yavapai Apache Tribe for parcels of land in the National Forest.

To celebrate this historic event, the Yavapai Apache Nation will hold a signing ceremony on November 4th at 10 a.m. at the Nation’s Tunri Community Center, 1520 E. Cherry Creek Road, Camp Verde, Arizona. will be held.

The project involves exchanging approximately 4,782 acres of holdings in the National Forest System owned by the Yavapai Apache Tribe to the United States. These six parcels are located in four National Forests: Prescott, Coconino, Kaibab, and Apache Sitgreaves, and are surrounded by National Forest System lands. In return, the Nation would receive approximately 3,201 acres of federal land, much of it at the wilderness-urban interface, all of it part of the Yavapai and Apache ancestral homelands; It is adjacent to the Nation’s existing land near the camp. Verde, Arizona.

The decision ends a multi-year, multi-agency planning effort first proposed in 1996. According to Supervisor Clawson, “over the years, there have been many delays and changes to the proposal, but the Forest Service and the Yavapai Apache Nation have never changed the plan.” Lost sight of the joint objective of developing a land exchange that would benefit both parties. This decision is the culmination of years of collaborative efforts and will support the Forest Service’s mission and meet the growing economic and social needs of the nation. ”

“This land exchange is historic for the Yavapai Apache Nation and provides a socially, economically and culturally sustainable future,” said Yavapai Apache Nation President Tanya Lewis. , is the direct result of a collaborative effort with the U.S. Forest Service and many stakeholders.” Participants across the Verde Valley participated in the process. We are proud to share the Yavapai Apache Nation’s historic land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service and our neighbors across the Verde Valley, and we believe that by working together we can protect natural resources, preserve cultural heritage, and protect the tribe’s It shows that we can jointly achieve the development of Develop local economies to secure a future of hope and sustainability. ”

For maps and additional information about the land exchange, please visit the project website. fs.usda.gov/project/prescott/?project=63848. Additional information is also available at: yavapai-apache.org/land-exchange/.