US national park faces sale.

[GentryDixon]

Governor of Wyoming threatens to sell chunk of Grand Teton unless White House boosts state's education budget.

Some might call it blackmail. The governor of Wyoming calls it desperation.

Governor Dave Freudenthal is threatening to sell off a chunk of one of America's most beautiful national parks unless the Obama administration comes up with more money to pay for education in the financially beleaguered state.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/06/wyoming-grand-teton-national-park

First and foremost, why do we have to hear this from the UK?

This makes me sick. I was born in Wyoming and grew up at the foot of the Tetons. My Dad's ashes are scattered up the Gros Ventre River in Teton Park. The movie Shane was filmed up there, so anyone old enough to remember the movie knows the stunning beauty of this area.

How can a Democratic governor threaten to sell off this pristine land to bloodsucking developers?

Whether this is a ploy to get the Interior Department off the dime or not, it is beyond disgusting. It makes me want to cry.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Can they do that with federal property?

[drm604]

2. I was wondering the same thing.

I suspect the Governor of Wyoming is full of crap. Not that I can blame him for his desperation. I wouldn't want to be a governor right now.

[GentryDixon]

3. I would not think so,

but the rules don't seem to matter anymore.

[joeybee12]

5. Technically, the area in question is state property, federal land surrounds it...

...some property on parks are privately owned as well...that said, the guv is just posturing to get his way.

[Submariner]

4. Seize Cheney's Halliburton millions

Cheney is a war profiteering traitor who stole from the national treasury to launch a bogus war that only ended up making things much worse for the country.

Seize Dick's Wyoming property before the MF'er dies soon making it harder to get.

[Subdivisions]

6. I completely agree, GentryDixon. I'm not from there but I have lived

in Star Valley and worked in Jackson Hole, right along the foot of the Tetons. Perry was governor here in Texas, so I was glad to live in WY with the Democrat Governor Dave Freudenthal. Now he's threatening to do this? I'm not sure he has the authority, but I definitely don't like it. But, one thing I learned while I was there is that there are people there who could and would buy up all the land he could put up and who hold a LOT of power, including Dick Cheney who resides in Wilson. I hope he's not being influenced for reasons of greed, rather than a genuine concern for education.

[fishwax]

7. it was actually reported in the US about a month ago

Here's an example article from ABC: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wirestory?id=11085974&page=1

Also, the guardian is mistaken in saying they're selling off land "to pay for education in the financially beleaguered state." Relatively speaking, Wyoming's budget is in quite good shape compared to other states.

The issue is not that Wyoming can't afford to pay for education, but rather that this land, which was specifically set aside back in the 19th century to help the state pay for education, is not making nearly the money that it could be making. The land is worth nine figures, compared to the $3000/year they get for grazing fees. They could make 1000 times that every year just on interest from the sale. Because the land is now surrounded by the national park, they can't make more money from it without developing it, which neither the state or the feds want to do.

The state has been trying for years to get the government to purchase the land at a reasonably fair price--both sides would benefit, since the state would be getting appropriate value out of their school section and the park would add to their territory and guarantee no further development. But the government hasn't wanted to really pay for the land, since it is, for all intents and purposes, already part of the park and they don't think the state will really allow it to be developed.

I grew up in Wyoming, too, and love the park and that whole area. It would be tragic to see, as you say, bloodsucking developers take control of that land. If that happened, though, the blame would not lie with Freudenthal alone.

[GentryDixon]

8. I wonder just what tracts

of land are in question? Our family cabin was in Kelly. My relatives lived in and around there since the 1920's. I still have a cousin living there on his grandmother's acreage. He is an attorney, so I assume he will be very involved in this transaction. I cannot imagine it would be other than fighting against it. I have not talked to him, but his grandmother, my aunt Mable, would haunt his ass for anything other than that.

[fishwax]

11. good question -- I'm not sure exactly, but I think it's in the southern part

so maybe not far from Kelly. I certainly hope no sale happens. I hope that the feds stop dragging their feet about it. It's beautiful country, and should remain pristine for all Americans to enjoy.

[Jack_DeLeon]

9. If the FedGov wants it then they should buy it otherwise...

it belongs to the state of Wyoming and they should do with it whatever the citizens of the state want done.

[Arctic Dave]

10. Heaven forbid they raise their taxes to pay for something like education.

Killin' me Smalls, killin' me.

[intheflow]

16. +1000

You know they'll take federal money while still bitching about any federal taxes. :eyes:

[annm4peace]

12. 1st they should get money from all the mining and gas companies

Various companies have been flooding into the state in the past 5 years. My friend has been doing loans for employees who have been relocated to Wyoming by various oil and mining companies.

the citizens of the state should check out what is going on.

[kelly1mm]

14. Why shouldn't they use land that by law is supposed to be used

to fund education to ...... wait for it ..... fund education? If the Feds want the land they can buy it.

[havocmom]

15. They pay teachers about twice what MT pays. They have coal $$

It is rather amazing to drive from impoverished eastern Montana, south into WY and Thunder Basin. The change in school facilities for small, or tiny towns is staggering when one crosses the state line into WY. They ain't hurtin. Coal and gas severance provides a big chunk of change.

[kelly1mm]

13. Ever hear of "land grant" colleges? This land is State owned land

inside of other land owned by the Feds and the federal land is a national park. This land was set aside for the state to use to generate funds for education. Lots of states sold/leased this set aside land and set up those land grant colleges. If the Feds want the land they can pay for it.

[Lorien]

17. We knew this was coming. They'll sell the whole Nation to the highest bidders before

it's over. All the money in the world for wars of choice and bank bailouts, but nothing for schools, health care, the environment, food banks, etc. etc. etc. Why aren't we marching again?

[annm4peace]

18. some of us haven't stopped,