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Governor Mark Gordon led the way to a successful vote by the State Board of Land Commissioners (SBLC) on Nov 7th, authorizing the sale of a parcel of state trust land, the “Kelly Parcel”, to the National Park Service. The sale is contingent on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) not adopting portions of their proposed Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP), as directed by the Legislature during the 2024 Budget Session.
The Kelly Parcel was appraised in 2022 at the value of $62.5 million. The State will receive $100 million for the parcel, with $62.5 million paid by the federal government and the remaining $37.5 million coming from private philanthropy. Investment managers have indicated the Equality State’s revenue from the sale could generate an additional $64 million in investment income over the next decade.
Proceeds from the sale, if finalized, would be available for the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) to pursue an agreement with the BLM to purchase federal lands and minerals within Wyoming. The SLIB, made up of the five elected officials, directed the Office of State Lands to identify federal lands within the Powder River Basin for acquisition
“In public testimony, I heard overwhelming support for this sale and the benefits it will bring to Wyoming students in the form of long-term revenue,” Governor Gordon said. “This is an iconic parcel, and we have been given a unique opportunity for it to join Grand Teton National Park in perpetuity while protecting current hunting and grazing uses. I am also excited that these proceeds can be used to substantially add to the State’s portfolio of lands and minerals. I thank Treasurer Meier and Auditor Racines for putting Wyoming’s future first.”
The Governor noted the authorization does not preclude the filing of legal action over the final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Rock Springs RMP. As a part of this sale agreement, final authorization of the Kelly Parcel sale will be made only upon the Governor’s certification of the BLM’s final Rock Springs RMP ROD meeting the conditions set by the Legislature.
The 640-acre Kelly parcel in Teton County is within the Grand Teton National Park boundary. The parcel is known to be crucial wildlife habitat for elk, mule deer and pronghorn, as well as sage grouse, and is important for ungulate migrations.