Legal Definitions - withdrawn land

Withdrawn land refers to public land that a government agency has formally removed from general availability for a specific public purpose. This action typically prevents the land from being sold, leased, or used for activities that conflict with its designated purpose, such as private development, mining, or logging.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of withdrawn land:

• National Wildlife Refuge: Imagine a large area of federal land that is home to several endangered bird species. The government issues an executive order designating this area as a National Wildlife Refuge. This act formally withdraws the land from public sale, private development, or activities like hunting and logging, ensuring it remains protected habitat for the birds.

  This illustrates withdrawn land because the government has specifically set aside this public land for the conservation of wildlife, restricting its use for other purposes.

• Future Reservoir Site: A state government plans to build a new reservoir to supply drinking water to a growing population. Years before construction is set to begin, the state legislature passes a law formally withdrawing a specific valley from any new private land sales or construction permits. This prevents individuals or companies from building homes or businesses in the area that will eventually be flooded by the reservoir.

  Here, the land is withdrawn to reserve it for a future public utility project, preventing conflicting private development in the interim.

• Military Training Zone: The Department of Defense identifies a vast, sparsely populated desert region as ideal for future military training exercises. Through a formal administrative order, this federal land is officially withdrawn from public access, mineral exploration, and potential grazing leases. This ensures the land is exclusively available for military use without interference from civilian activities.

  This example demonstrates withdrawn land as the government has dedicated the land for a specific national defense purpose, thereby removing it from general public or commercial use.