Ten Sleep ranch proposes land exchange

 

September 24, 2020



WASHAKIE COUNTY — The State of Wyoming is seeking public input on a proposed swap of land within Washakie County. The Office of State Lands and Investments has scheduled a virtual hearing to solicit public comment at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  

The hearing will convene via web conference and is open to the public. If you wish to provide comments or ask questions at the hearing, register at the Office of State Lands and Investments website. Additionally, the meeting will be streamed live at lands.wyo.gov for the public to view. 

The intent of the hearing is to solicit public comment regarding the proposed exchange of real property located in Washakie County, Wyoming, known as the “Greet Ranch, Inc. Exchange.” These comments will be considered by the State Board of Land Commissioners before a decision is made regarding this exchange proposal.  A complete Detailed Analysis of the proposal is available for online review at lands.wyo.gov. 

According to the proposal, Greet Ranch, Inc, a Wyoming Corporation has proposed to exchange certain real property located in Washakie County, for State trust land, also located in Washakie County, in a “value for value” exchange. Representing the Greet Ranch in the proposal are John Greet, Vernon and Carol Greet, Daniel and Tessia Greet, Brandon and Megan Greet and Victoria and Matt Davis.

This exchange represents an opportunity for the Board of Land Commissioners (Board) to increase future revenue generating potential, while also optimizing public access and management. The private parcel proposed for acquisition in this exchange comprises approximately 160 acres of contiguous land. This land has traditionally been used for grazing and agricultural purposes. Importantly, this parcel is unencumbered and encompasses more highway frontage than the subject state trust parcel.

According to the proposal, the Greet Ranch Inc. is looking to improve management of the ranch, and for the State of Wyoming, by consolidation of surface ownership. Greet Ranch proposes to offer 152 acres of private land for 152.69 acres of adjoining State of Wyoming lands off of Highway 434.

Per the proposal, “In conjunction with this goal, main access to most of the ranch’s infrastructure is a mile long driveway from State Highway 434 that crosses a portion of the state parcel. The ownership of the [state lands] is such that the public, mostly hunters, has access from Highway 434 to one of two residences located on the ranch. This access is a nuisance at best, as many hunters wander in toward the residence from the highway not realizing that there is a residence at one end of the state land parcel. At times some of the shooting can become a safety concern for the family living in the residence at the end of the state parcel. Greet Ranch also suffers from multiple trespassers crossing private lands at the end of the road without permission at all times of the year, but especially during hunting seasons.”

If the land exchange were to be approved, it would move the state trust lands further up the Nowood River, away from residences and ranch infrastructure. This move would alleviate the concerns of the Greet families regarding trespassing and shooting, but still provide recreation and access opportunities for the public.

The exchange would also connect the proposed parcel to the main body of the Greet Ranch deeded lands.

According to a letter from the Wyoming Game and Fish, “The state parcel proposed for exchange contains a lot of development including the road that serves as the driveway for the Greet Ranch. The disturbed portions of the state parcel are currently unavailable to hunters. The parcel to be acquired will provide public access to the Nowood River and will provide a larger contiguous area of state land, potentially beneficial to hunters.

According to the conclusion of the proposed land exchange, the exchange meets the state objectives by increasing annual revenues and enhances public access to a contiguous block of state trust land.

Written comments regarding the proposed land transaction may be submitted through Monday, November 16, 2020 to the Office of State Lands & Investments, Attn: Jessica Murkin, Herschler Building, 122 West 25th Street, Suite 103W, Cheyenne, WY  82002-0600. Comments may also be submitted by email to [email protected]

 
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