The Wyoming House of Representatives has passed a bill that would allow the state to sell two parcels of state-owned land located inside Grand Teton National Park to the federal government.
Lawmakers would like 92 million dollars for the two 640 acre parcels. During final debate the House added an amendment that would also allow the state to lease the land to the federal government if a sale falls through.
Despite the fact that previous attempts to sell or trade the land haven’t worked out, Jackson Representative Ruth Ann Petroff said she is optimistic.
“It’s a priority for a lot of people, so I think there’s the willingness to do it on both sides, it’s just a matter of finding that common ground. It’s gonna be a lot of work but I think it’s possible.”
Representative Roy Edwards of Gillette suggested that the state trade the land to the federal government for federally-owned land of equal value. Petroff says it would take a magic wand to make a trade like that go through.
