Wyoming Senate Committee Urges Congress to Transfer Federal Lands to State

A Wyoming Senate committee has passed a resolution calling on Congress to transfer approximately 30 million acres of federal land to the state, excluding Yellowstone National Park, Wyo File reports.

The proposal, Senate Joint Resolution 2, was approved by the Agriculture, State, and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee in a 4-1 vote. It seeks to return federal lands and mineral rights to Wyoming, which amounts to nearly 47% of the state’s total land area.

The lands in question include notable areas such as Grand Teton National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, several national forests, and Bureau of Land Management holdings. The resolution’s lead sponsor, Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper, argues that federal control of these lands puts Wyoming at a disadvantage, making it “unequal” compared to other states that have full control over their own lands. He cited the US Constitution’s mandate that Congress should dispose of lands in certain cases.

Ide and supporters of the resolution believe that by gaining control of the lands, Wyoming would be able to manage them more effectively, particularly in terms of resource development and mineral rights. The state would also establish a new designation for these lands called “state public lands,” which would allow for recreational activities, including camping and fire usage, different from the more restrictive school trust lands.

However, the proposal has raised a number of concerns. Critics warn about the potential cost of managing such a large expanse of land, the complexity of handling mineral rights, and the impact on federal funding. Alec Underwood, director of the Wyoming Outdoor Council, raised questions about the state’s ability to manage millions of acres while maintaining access for outdoor recreation and ensuring habitat protection. He also pointed out that the state would lose federal payments currently received in lieu of taxes, which amount to $30 million annually.

Additionally, opponents of the proposal, including Sen. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, raised concerns about the financial implications for the state, particularly in terms of grazing leases, which are more expensive on state land than on federal land. Crago also expressed concerns about the potential for decades of litigation regarding mineral rights distribution, pointing out the complexity of tracking down the ownership of mineral assets.

Despite these concerns, supporters argue that returning federal lands to the state would bring significant financial benefits, with Sen. Tim French, R-Powell, estimating that Wyoming could see “billions upon billions” of dollars from the acquisition. Some committee members also voiced frustration with the federal government’s management of the land, citing issues with federal agencies restricting access and delays in firefighting efforts.