JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is collecting survey responses about the proposed auction of the 640-acre state school land in Teton County known as the Kelly Parcel.
The survey was included in the Chamber’s weekly newsletter, sent on Nov. 21, and asks Chamber members to respond to one question:
“The 640-acre Kelly Parcel being considered for sale by the State Land Investment Board Commission should be offered for sale in the following way.
- Unrestricted auction
- Sell to the National Park Service
- No sale. Continue as Wyoming State Land”
According to the Chamber, “responses will contribute to the feedback used in the decision regarding the future of the Kelly Parcel.”
On Oct. 2 the Office of State Lands and Investments on behalf of the State Board of Land Commissioners announced that they had initiated an administrative review and detailed analysis proposing the disposal of the state parcel.
According to the detailed analysis, “the appraiser determined that the maximally productive use and most reasonably supported highest and best use for the State Parcel is for residential subdivision into thirty-five (35) acre, or greater, sites for residential development.”
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department completed an evaluation of the parcel and found that the parcel contains high-value wildlife habitat that supports a number of big game and sensitive wildlife species.
In 2010, the State Board of Land Commissioners entered an agreement with the Department of the Interior “wherein the Department agreed to acquire the trust lands that lie within the exterior boundary of Grand Teton National Park on a parcel-by-parcel basis, for a specified amount, on or before a specific date.” The agreement was amended in 2016 but expired prior to the Kelly Parcel being transferred, and following multiple failed Legislative attempts to transfer the land, the Kelly Parcel remains under Wyoming ownership.
On Nov. 6 The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance hosted a “Rally to Stop The Auction” on Jackson’s Town Square. “We want to hold this rally to show that Teton County constituents care about the preservation of public lands and GTNP,” Outreach Manager for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance Kaya Patten-Fusselman said.
A public meeting was held at the Teton County Library on Nov. 9 with over two hours of public comment from Jackson residents opposed to the auction.
Written comments will be accepted until Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. and should be addressed to Jason Crowder, Office Of State Lands and Investments, 122 W. 25th Street, Herschler Building Suite W103, Cheyenne, WY 82002 or email at jason.crowder@wyo.gov.
The State Board of Land Commissioners will consider the proposal for disposal at their Dec. 7 meeting.
