Representatives from Lowell Observatory will discuss Section 17 and the draft bill that it intends to introduce. Lowell Observatory is requesting a letter of support from the Flagstaff City Council for this bill.

Lowell Observatory, a non-profit research and educational institution located in Flagstaff, owns a 640-acre parcel of land formally identified as "section 17, Township 21 north of range 7 east of the Gila and Salt River base and meridian in Coconino County, Arizona", hereby referred to as Section 17. Section 17 was deeded to Lowell Observatory in 1910 by the United States Congress with certain federal encumbrances related to the permitted use of the land. While Section 17 is owned by the Observatory, if the land is not used for observatory purposes, the land would revert to the federal government. 

Several bills have been introduced in the United States Congress in recent years that seek to release reversionary and reserved interests on Section 17. During the February 4, 2020 Council meeting, the Flagstaff City Council approved a letter of support of S. 242 and H.R. 401, the "Lowell Observatory Conveyance Act" to support Lowell Observatory in its efforts to improve its capacity for science and outreach. On February 2, 2021, Lowell Observatory provided the Flagstaff City Council and the public with an overview of the history of Section 17 and discussed its intention for a potential draft bill. The Council requested that further discussion be had once the bill language had been drafted. 

A draft of the bill, as well as a letter from Lowell Observatory, are included as attachments in the agenda packet. During the October 26, 2021 Council Meeting, representatives from Lowell Observatory will discuss Section 17 and the draft bill that it intends to introduce. Lowell Observatory is requesting a letter of support from the Flagstaff City Council for this bill.