Public meeting scheduled for Moskee land exchange

A date has been set for the public hearing related to the State Board of Land Commissioners’ plans to purchase a chunk of land in the Grand Canyon area of the Moskee in Crook County. The acquisition would see over 4319 acres of private lands return to public ownership and has been in progress now for three years.

The board approved an application for a Forest Legacy Grant in 2016, kick starting the process of gathering data such as appraisals and timber inventories. The acquisition was proposed by the Forestry Division due to the land being within one of the most productive timber areas in the state.

It’s also a good investment because it’s possible to secure federal funds and also donated funds, rather than rely entirely on the state to cover the cost, according to Jessica Murkin, Real Estate Analyst for the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments.

“We think it’s a pretty good deal and we’ll be able to make some good timber and grazing revenue,” she said to the county commissioners earlier this month.

It is expected, said Murkin, that the land will go out to competitive lease if the state opts to acquire it.

The 60-day comment period for the project began this week. Halfway through that period, said Murkin, a public hearing is held to gather comments from interested parties.

The hearing has been scheduled for December 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the courthouse basement. Meanwhile, the complete detailed analysis for the proposal can be found at https://lands.wyo.gov/trust-land-management/land-transactions or a hard copy can be accessed at the Crook County Clerk’s Office or the Crook County Public Library.

A written comment can be submitted directly to the Office of State Lands & Investments, 122 West 25th Street, 1st Floor East, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0600 through January 15, 2020. Comments may also be submitted by email to [email protected].

The acquisition is then expected to go before the Board of Land Commissioners on February 6 for a final decision.