Update 12/11/2023
We are glad that the State Board of Land Commissioners voted 5-0 to table until winter 2024 the proposal to auction the Kelly Parcel.
Protecting public lands is something that unites us, and we’re pleased that the board heard the voices of the thousands of Wyomingites and people from across the U.S. who spoke up for preserving the Kelly Parcel.
We continue to believe that a sale to Grand Teton National Park is the best possible outcome in that it would protect the land for wildlife, outdoor users, and for future generations while generating at least $4 million annually for Wyoming schools — compared to the $2800 collected today.
The vote is due in no small part to the people who lent their voices to the campaign. If that was you, THANK YOU.
The fight to protect the Kelly Parcel is far from over. If you want to be kept up to date, subscribe to our email list about public lands below.
Sincerely,
Dave Sollitt, Executive Director and the Staff at the JHCA.
TLDR (Too long, didn’t read);
A public auction is an audacious idea that could easily backfire and compromise the irreplaceable ecological values of this special parcel. Let’s play it safe and make money for the state through a sale to the National Park Service.
Overview
The 640-acre state parcel within Grand Teton National Park could be auctioned off to the highest bidder! This undeveloped square mile is a critical migration route for elk and pronghorn and provides crucial winter habitat for elk and bison. After attempts for the National Park Service to purchase the property have fallen short, the state is considering a public auction, which would be a terrible mistake, with far reaching consequences.
If auctioned, this would be the first time that a state property adjacent to a National Park has ever been sold through a public auction process. Can you imagine what a private buyer might attempt to do with this prized property?!
We need to let the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) know what a bad idea an auction would be, and the real risks involved with opening the sale of this land to any narcissistic billionaire or sovereign wealth fund!
The state should legislate the sale of the parcel to the National Park Service for the appraised price or higher, as they did with the Antelope Flats Parcel previously.
What’s the Status?
The only leverage we have right now is public feedback to the OSLI!
Get Involved
Let your voice be heard!
📍November 6th – Join us at 4:45 PM in town square for a RALLY TO STOP THE AUCTION!
📍November 9th – Mark your calendar NOW and come to the stakeholder meeting that Office of State Lands and Investments is holding at the Teton County library on November 9th at 5:30 PM to let your voice be heard. We need to fill the room with conservation advocates for the Kelly parcel – tell your friends, let’s make it an Alliance event!
📍Make a public comment – the comment period ends on Dec. 1st — Write comments to: Jason Crowder, Office of State Lands and Investments, at 122 W. 25th Street, Herschler Building Suite W103, Cheyenne, WY 82002 or by email at jason.crowder@wyo.gov. The alliance will be sharing our comments in the coming weeks.
