Global Strategy for State Lands Use and Preservation

We need a global strategy for state land parcels in Teton County. The parcels exist to provide funding for Wyoming schools, benefiting the school children of Wyoming in perpetuity. As a community, we once again find ourselves at odds with the State Board of Land Commissioners with the recent decision to lease the state lands parcel on highway 390 for storage and the Munger Mountain parcel for a high-end camping site. 

We can achieve the goals of state lands and State Board of Land Commissioners (SBLC) while maintaining the community character of these parcels. We know land values in Teton County are among the highest in the U.S. This presents a unique opportunity to generate revenue for Wyoming schools. Our open spaces, scenic vistas, wildlife, and clean rivers are a major draw for tourist. “In fiscal year 2020, Teton County welcomed 1.5 million overnight visitors. Travelers spent $1.1 billion, which generated $55.2 million in state and local tax receipts.” That’s a heck of a lot more than the $600,000 the state will receive annually for the leases on 390 and Munger. 

But the planned leases conflict with what generates the most revenue for the state outside of natural resources. We need a better plan for these parcels. Short-sighted approaches to state lands parcels in Teton County have hurt the state. In 1990, a 640-acre parcel of land was sold for $5 million dollars. Then it was known as Boyles Hill, now it is home to Indian Springs and lots go for at least $5 million. While it seemed like a lot of money and good idea at the time, it was an opportunity lost for school revenue forever. 

What would a global strategy look like? It starts with working with the SBLC to set revenue targets and timelines. How much money can/should we generate for schools and by when? With the ongoing changes in the energy economy, our state continues to experience significant budget cuts and schools are facing major budgetary challenges. We should have a dedicated person charged with monitoring land values, opportunities, and local regulations for school parcels. 

I am asking for your vote in November to continue to advocate for Teton County, for Wyoming, and for our schools.