A bill introduced by Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) transferring ownership of federal land from the government to the state of Arizona has passed out of committee. It could soon be sent to the House floor.
Rep. Crane's Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act, which he introduced last May, would transfer land currently held by the US Forest Service to the towns of Pinedale and Alpine near the Alpine Community Cemetery, which has faced difficulty in recent years to find adequate burial space.
Apache and Navajo County Supervisors Daryl Seymore and Nelson Davis were part of the effort to get the bill to Congress and into committee, with Navajo County's Seymore saying, "The community of Pinedale has a long and rich pioneer history, and the residents are proud of that heritage. Pinedale is a community where generations of families live, grow, and raise their families. This bill will allow families to lay their loved ones to rest in the place that their family member loved so much. I'm grateful to Congressman Crane and his staff for their work on this bill and his support of the Pinedale community."
Similarly, Apache County's Davis added, "As a County Supervisor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Apache County, I have seen firsthand the 'very real needs' of the communities that I represent. Recently, the effort put forth by you and your staff in securing the conveyance of USFC land immediately adjacent to the Alpine Community Cemetery is representative of meeting that 'very real need."
"I'm pleased to report that my bill passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources and awaits consideration on the House Floor. These communities have storied histories, and they deserve to lay their loved ones to rest in the place that means so much to them. This piece of legislation is one of the first bills I introduced in Congress and is a testament to the strength of the Latter-Day Saints Community in Northern Arizona. I appreciate Supervisors Seymore and Nelson for their leadership, and we will continue to do everything we can to push this bill through the legislative process," said Rep. Crane in his press release.
In April, a similar bill introduced by the Arizona Congressman transferring federally owned land to Gila County passed the House. The bill would allow for the construction of a veterans' center in Young.
