JACKSON, Wyo. — Thursday night’s hearing regarding the potential auction of the Kelly parcel drew a large crowd to the Teton County Library, populated mostly by Jackson residents who oppose the sale.
Wyoming’s Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) proposed the disposal of the 640-acre state trust land parcel, which is located along the external boundary of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), in early October, presenting the possibility that it could be used to generate income for Wyoming’s school system through potential residential development.
OSLI Director Jenifer Scoggin and Deputy Director Jason Crowder ran the hearing on Thursday night, fielding questions and comments about the proposal after presenting a slide deck about the potential auction. In the presentation, Crowder noted that the parcel had been appraised for $62,425,000, or $97,539.06 per acre.
About 20 attendees made comments following the presentation, taking the meeting’s length over two hours. Overwhelmingly, the comments expressed disapproval of any plans to develop the parcel, with many speakers referring to the land as valuable wildlife habitat. Several cited the migration path of pronghorn antelope as a major consideration in the land’s future. Others mentioned sage grouse territory.
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins made the second comment of the session, noting that his staff was “really concerned” by the potential sale.
“Please keep the Kelly parcel wild,” one Kelly resident said.
One commenter said that animals, hunters, anglers and the people of Wyoming would all stand to lose if the parcel were subdivided. Another pointed to the way wildlife drives tourism in the area, noting that such tourism is a major force in the state’s economy.
“Thank you for your passion, your communication and your respectfulness,” Scoggin said in her closing remarks. “We appreciate it tonight. We hear you and we will take your comments.”
OSLI’s presentation is available to view here. See the video of the meeting on OSLI’s YouTube channel, but be warned that the audio quality can be patchy.
Written comments will be accepted through Dec. 1 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.
