Eastern States Office Web Page BLM National Web PageEastern States Office Lighthouse Transfer Program

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Lighthouses have been viewed as a national resource treasured for their historic, cultural and scenic values. They have been called "America's Castles" because they represent our heritage and may need protection. The lands surrounding the lighthouses, too, merit special attention because they provide important habitats for the hundreds of animal, bird and plant species which rely on the surrounding ecosystems for their survival.

Jupiter Inlet - FloridaLighthouses were established by the United States Lighthouse Establishment as early as 1787 and by its successor agency, the United States Coast Guard, as recently as World War II.  Budget limitations have significantly reduced the federal government's capacity to provide long-term care and maintenance for lighthouses and the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that it no longer requires some of the lighthouses and the lands surrounding them to carry out its mission. In accordance with Federal law, the Coast Guard has notified the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of its intent to relinquish properties which had been withdrawn for lighthouse purposes in Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida.

The BLM is required to accept back into the Public Domain any lands that have been withdrawn for other Federal purposes and which have not been substantially changed in character. In order for these lands to be returned to the Public Domain, the BLM must conduct suitability determinations on most of the parcels to "determine their suitability" for return.  BLM is authorized to manage the lands suitable for return to the Public Domain or it can convey the lands to another entity in accordance with an approved land use plan.

Cana Island - WisconsinIt is the current goal of the BLM Eastern States Office to find entities which would be interested in long term management of the parcels and associated structures. These entities initially identified included other Federal Agencies, the States, local government and non-profit organizations.

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