The state’s efforts to acquire federal lands in the fossil-fuel-rich Powder River Basin continue, despite a failed attempt to swap the state-owned Kelly Parcel in Teton County for such property.
Instead of a swap, the State Board of Land Commissioners, made up of the state’s top five elected officials, narrowly approved an agreement last week to sell the 640-acre Kelly tract to the federal government for $100 million so it can be folded into Grand Teton National Park. Three commissioners — Gov. Mark Gordon, Treasurer Curt Meier and Auditor Kristi Racines — declined proposed amendments to include a potential trade for federal Powder River Basin properties.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Secretary of State Chuck Gray voted against the sale, in favor of a swap for federal minerals in the Power River Basin…