General NewsU.S. NewsWyoming Wyoming may auction off huge piece of pristine land inside Grand Teton by Michael Nguyen December 8, 2023 written by Michael Nguyen December 8, 2023 1 comment Bookmark 48 Wyoming officials have been considering the auction of substantial portions of pristine state-owned land within Grand Teton National Park for more than a decade. This strategy is aimed at compelling the U.S. government to allocate millions for the preservation of these properties. The latest proposal, up for a vote, concerns the auction of the last and arguably most valuable piece of land, a splendid one-square-mile (2.6-square-kilometer) property offering breathtaking views of the Teton Range and convenient road access. State Lands Director Jenifer Scoggin has recommended an initial bid of no less than $80 million. She justifies this decision by citing state law, which mandates obtaining the highest value from state-owned lands to generate revenue for public schools. Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, is one of the five statewide elected officials forming the land board responsible for this decision. He remains open to hearing public input before making a final decision and has not yet committed to voting for the auction. Public sentiment against the auction has been substantial, with hundreds of Wyoming residents participating in public meetings and submitting comments opposing the proposal over the past two months. Environmental groups have also rallied against the potential development of luxury houses and other projects in this ecologically sensitive area. Secretary of State Chuck Gray, a member of the land board and a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, plans to vote against the auction. He questions the legitimacy of the $62.4 million appraisal value, considering the land to be “invaluable.” Gray also raises concerns about the short 60-day public comment period, suggesting that more time should have been provided for public input. Previous sales of state mineral rights and land within the park have already generated over $62 million for Wyoming. However, negotiations over the sale of the Kelly Parcel, the most recent and significant sale, broke down and have continued for seven years. Governor Gordon recently discussed this issue with Interior officials in a meeting, but the willingness and ability of the federal government to purchase the land this time remain uncertain. In summary, Wyoming is considering auctioning off valuable state-owned land within Grand Teton National Park, a decision that has garnered both support and opposition from various quarters. The outcome of this vote will have significant implications for the future of this pristine area. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grand Teton Land AuctionWhat is the purpose of auctioning off land within Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming?What is the value of the land being auctioned, and who recommended the starting bid?How has the public reacted to the proposal of auctioning off this land?What is the position of Governor Mark Gordon regarding the auction?Have previous sales of state-owned land within the park been successful in generating revenue?What is the uncertainty surrounding the federal government’s involvement in buying the land this time?More about Grand Teton Land Auction Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grand Teton Land Auction What is the purpose of auctioning off land within Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming? The purpose of auctioning off land within Grand Teton National Park is to compel the U.S. government to allocate millions for the preservation of these properties. Wyoming officials have used this strategy to generate revenue for public schools. What is the value of the land being auctioned, and who recommended the starting bid? The recommended starting bid for the land auction is no less than $80 million. State Lands Director Jenifer Scoggin made this recommendation, citing state law that mandates obtaining the highest value from state-owned lands. How has the public reacted to the proposal of auctioning off this land? Public sentiment has been divided. Hundreds of Wyoming residents have participated in public meetings and submitted comments opposing the auction, while environmental groups have also rallied against potential development in this ecologically sensitive area. What is the position of Governor Mark Gordon regarding the auction? Governor Mark Gordon has not made a final decision regarding the auction and plans to consider public input. He is one of the five statewide elected officials on the land board responsible for this decision. Have previous sales of state-owned land within the park been successful in generating revenue? Yes, previous sales of state mineral rights and land within the park have generated over $62 million for Wyoming. However, negotiations over the sale of the Kelly Parcel have been ongoing for seven years. What is the uncertainty surrounding the federal government’s involvement in buying the land this time? It remains uncertain whether the federal government is willing and able to purchase the land this time. Interior spokesman Tyler Cherry declined to comment, and the National Parks Foundation, which raised private funds for a previous land purchase, has not provided a response. More about Grand Teton Land Auction Wyoming Officials Consider Auctioning Off Land in Grand Teton State Lands Director Recommends Starting Bid for Grand Teton Land Auction Public Reaction and Environmental Concerns Over Grand Teton Land Auction Governor Mark Gordon’s Position on Grand Teton Land Auction Previous Sales of State-Owned Land in Grand Teton National Park Uncertainty Surrounding Federal Government’s Involvement in Grand Teton Land Purchase You Might Be Interested In A terminally ill baby at the center of a legal battle in Britain and Italy has died Over 50 arrested after mobs ransacked Philadelphia stores. 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December 28, 2023 1 comment OutdoorEnthu December 9, 2023 - 12:07 am gov mark gordon not sure? he should decide, imp decision for natl park Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ