This week, officials in Wyoming decided to sell a section of land within Grand Teton National Park to the federal government.

On Thursday, the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the sale of the Kelly Parcel for $100 million to the U.S. Department of Interior. The board consists of five state officials, including Governor Mark Gordon, who supported the sale. The exact date for closing the deal is still pending.

Megan Degenfelder, the state superintendent of public instruction, opposed the sale, suggesting that the decision be postponed for a subsequent meeting. She expressed a preference for a land swap rather than a direct sale.

One of Degenfelder’s primary concerns is the extensive amount of land already controlled by the federal government in Wyoming. She pointed out that 48% of the state’s surface area and 65% of its mineral resources are federally owned.

“I want to preserve the Kelly Parcel from any development. I have enjoyed recreational activities there, including hunting, fishing, and climbing the Grand Teton, similar to what the governor has done, and I don’t want to see it turned into a developed area,” Degenfelder remarked on Thursday. “I seek the best interest for Wyoming because this is the most valuable property the state has ever possessed. We can’t shortchange Wyoming.”

Others, like Leslie Mattson, President of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, voiced concerns about delaying the project, which has been discussed for more than 15 years. The foundation has raised over $38 million since March 2023 to support the federal government’s purchase of the $100 million parcel.

“Should this transaction face a delay, we risk losing our funding, given that our donors plan their contributions by the end of the tax year on December 31,” Mattson alerted the board. “If this money does not reach our organization, it may be redirected elsewhere and won’t benefit public education in Wyoming.”

Mattson was among numerous speakers who shared their views during a lengthy three-hour board meeting.

Superintendent Chip Jenkins also spoke, emphasizing the significance of the national park for the state.

“New Welcome to Wyoming signs are being placed along state highways, prominently featuring images of Grand Teton National Park. This is one of many indications of how crucial the park is to Wyoming,” Jenkins observed on Thursday.

He reaffirmed that the national park is poised to focus on tourism, conservation, and aiding local schools in the future.

“The Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners recently took an important step to protect the 640-acre Kelly Parcel as part of Grand Teton National Park, ensuring it remains accessible to all Americans while providing significant financial support to Wyoming schools,” Jenkins stated in a message to YSL News. “We appreciate the ongoing support from Wyoming residents for preserving the area’s stunning wildlife and landscapes, and we look forward to collaborating with them to complete this important initiative.”

A Long-Awaited Decision

The Board of Land Commissioners’ decision on Thursday comes after years of discussions regarding the sale of the Kelly Parcel.

Over the past 12 years, the Board has sold three parcels of land near the national park to the U.S. Department of Interior.

Between 2012 and 2016, the Department of Interior acquired the Jackson Lake Parcel, Snake River Parcel, and Antelope Flats Parcel in Wyoming for approximately $62 million, as referenced during the recent Board meeting. The Board can utilize these funds to buy additional federal land.

Regarding the Kelly Parcel, the Board has considered selling it to the federal government and also discussed the option of making it available for public auction, which would allow private developers to purchase the land.

As part of its state budget last year, the Wyoming

The legislature has given the green light to sell the Kelly Parcel, with a price tag of at least $100 million.

What is the Kelly Parcel?

The Kelly Parcel spans 640 acres within Grand Teton National Park and is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This land has been under Wyoming’s ownership since the state was founded, but it became part of Grand Teton National Park with an expansion in 1950. Various wildlife species, including elk, bison, moose, mule deer, and pronghorn, inhabit this area.

Beyond its natural beauty, the Kelly Parcel is classified as state trust land. The Wyoming constitution mandates that revenues generated from this land support public schools. Currently, it generates roughly $2,800 a year through various permits, as reported by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation.

According to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the recent sale could contribute around $69.6 million to Wyoming’s Common School Permanent Fund within the coming decade.

“This unique investment in the Common School Permanent Fund comes at a crucial time, especially given the instability of mineral earnings for the state of Wyoming,” a statement on the foundation’s website indicates.

This article has been updated to feature a statement from Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.