Secretary Norton Transfers Federal Land Patent
To Town of Jupiter
Land will help meet recreational needs of local communities

JUPITER, Fla.-Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton joined by Town of Jupiter Mayor Karen Golonka, today announced the transfer of a 17.8 acre land patent for Jupiter Lighthouse Park. The land patent transfer is culmination of working in partnership with the local community and a commitment by the Interior Department to make beneficial use of public lands.

"The citizens of the Town of Jupiter have been exemplary stewards, Norton said. "This land patent transfer is an example of the care that partnerships and cooperation can produce. President Bush and I truly believe that local citizens- are often the best stewards of the land. You know its needs best; you will benefit the most by its stewardship."

The site includes recreational areas and a historic WWII barracks that has been used by the Town of Jupiter under a Recreation and Public Purposes Agreement from the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management. Under the land patent transfer agreement announced today, the Town of Jupiter will keep title of the parkland as long as it is maintained and kept for public use.

"In taking this patent, you are again making that pledge of stewardship," Norton said. "You are promising to continue to enjoy and care for Lighthouse Park. You are promising to preserve it as a place for peace and recreation for this generation and the generations to come."

The land patent issued today dates back to1996. In 1996, the U. S. Coast Guard relinquished an 86-acre tract of public domain land to BLM Eastern States in northern
Palm Beach County. The tract included 26.35 acres managed by the Town of Jupiter as Jupiter Lighthouse Park. The park included playing fields, parking areas, tennis courts and a historic WWII barracks building which housed several non-profit organizations, such as the Marine Science Education Center, Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Loxahatchee River Historical Society's lighthouse tour office.

The Town of Jupiter received a Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP) lease from BLM on May 23, 1998, for Jupiter Lighthouse Park. After issuance of the lease, the Town of Jupiter spent $750,000 on the renovation of Jupiter Lighthouse Park.

A resurvey of the tract was completed Feb. 13, 2002, to divide the original Jupiter Lighthouse Park (Lot 13) into two lots. Lot 19, delineated the undeveloped 8.55 acres of Lot 13, and Lot 20, delineated the developed 17.80 acres of Lot 13. On August 5, 2003, the Town of Jupiter requested the relinquishment of Lot 19 and requested the issuance of an R&PP patent for the developed portion of Jupiter Lighthouse Park.

Under the proposed R&PP patent, Lot 20 would continue to provide recreational opportunities, while allowing for the conservation and preservation of historical, cultural and natural resources, as per the patent reservations. The undeveloped portion of the tract, Lot 19, would return to BLM management and is expected to be incorporated into the Jupiter Inlet Area of Critical Environmental Concern to be managed in partnership with Palm Beach County.