I was stunned to learn of Governor Gordon’s decision to quietly negotiate a sale contract with the Biden Administration’s Department of Interior and quickly place that on the State Board of Land Commissioners agenda for this week. This was clearly weeks, if not months, in the making, and I was not notified until the day before it was posted on the agenda of the Board of Land Commissioners.
This is a serious concern because over the last year, I have been leading a task force that includes State Auditor Kristi Racines, the Governor’s policy director, and other officials to identify a Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-owned, developable area in the Powder River Basin to exchange for the Kelly Parcel. It is in Wyoming’s best interest to negotiate an exchange of land because it accomplishes the goal of the sale which is to keep the Kelly Parcel a park and also provides the most benefit to Wyoming citizens by giving us ownership of developable lands that could produce income for generations to come.
The task force has identified well over 100,000 acres that could be acquired in the exchange for the 640 acre Kelly Parcel, and has already begun meeting with BLM leadership and Wyoming’s Congressional Delegation to pursue this opportunity.
The federal government owns approximately 48% of the surface and 65% of minerals within Wyoming’s borders. This results in a number of missed opportunities for Wyoming to develop our lands, particularly when it comes to minerals. That’s why I remain resolute- Wyoming should not give one more net acre to the federal government.
This opportunity necessitates bold, transparent leadership-not back room maneuvering. The State Board of Land Commissioners should be working together as fiduciaries of state lands. This surprise agenda item sends mixed messages to the BLM about the desire of our state to engage in an exchange. However, I remain optimistic that it can be cleared up and we can get back on track with our discussions at the meeting this week.
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Media Contact:
Linda Finnerty, Chief Communications Officer
307-777-2053
linda.finnerty@wyo.gov
