Governor Mark Gordon led the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners (SBLC) in approving the sale of the 640-acre Kelly Parcel to the National Park Service (NPS). This parcel, located within the boundary of Grand Teton National Park, serves as critical habitat for wildlife, including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and sage grouse, and plays an important role in regional ungulate migration.
The sale agreement, however, hinges on specific conditions set by the Wyoming Legislature during the 2024 Budget Session. Final authorization will depend on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) refraining from adopting certain portions of its proposed Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP), as outlined by the Legislature.
Appraised at $62.5 million in 2022, the Kelly Parcel will bring Wyoming $100 million—$62.5 million from federal funding and $37.5 million from private philanthropy. According to investment projections, this sale could generate an additional $64 million in revenue for Wyoming over the next decade. Proceeds will be directed to the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB), which plans to use the funds to acquire federal lands and minerals within Wyoming, with a focus on areas like the Powder River Basin.
Governor Gordon emphasized the benefits of the sale for Wyoming students and the unique opportunity for the parcel to become part of Grand Teton National Park while preserving its existing hunting and grazing uses. The agreement also keeps the door open for legal action regarding the Rock Springs RMP if necessary.
For more information on the Kelly Parcel sale and other state land initiatives, visit the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments.
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