Feds, Wyoming discuss Grand Teton National Park land deal

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell reiterated Wednesday her agency’s commitment to fulfill an agreement with the state of Wyoming that would protect 1,280 acres of Grand Teton National Park from possible development. Two years ago the Department of the Interior agreed to purchase four parcels of state of Wyoming school trust lands within the park. The federal government allocated $16 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to initially buy 86 acres of the state-owned land. Since then the department and the state have been exploring ways to find the remaining $91 million to enable the transfer of the remaining 1,280 acres to the park. Jewell toured the state lands in question Wednesday. “I have directed my team to pursue all available options and have asked the leadership of the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service to give me a set of recommendations and a plan of action of how we can ensure the long-term protection of Grand Teton,” Jewell said in a media release. “Given the fiscal climate and constrained federal resources, creativity and flexibility will be required, but I am absolutely committed to see this cross the finish line.” Jewell spoke on the telephone with Gov. Matt Mead on Tuesday to voice the agency’s commitment to work with the state on a feasible strategy. The U.S. House of Representatives has proposed zeroing out the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which would typically be the traditional and fastest way to acquire parcels like those that remain within the park boundary, Jewell said in the release. Sharon Mader is the Grand Teton program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. She said one of the most promising solutions is a land exchange within the park with the BLM. “Nobody has any illusion that that’s not a heavy lift,” Mader said Wednesday afternoon. “But we’re thrilled the secretary has embraced this project, as did her predecessor, Secretary (Ken) Salazar, and is wiling to commit the energy and the resources of her agency to meet the agreements of this deal either through a cash sale or through a land exchange,” Mader added...more  

A land exchange - that's the way all federal acquisitions should occur. The state would select BLM acreage worth approximately $91 million and do the exchange, with BLM acquiring the state lands inside the Park. No LWCF $$ needed and the federal estate doesn't expand. Besides, the BLM could then make a movie about it.