Letter to the Editor: Public lands for all of us

Federal and state lands are an essential part of our Wyoming heritage and culture. These lands were considered of low value back when our state was settled by pioneers and prospectors, or the federal government wanted to reserve them for timber and minerals, and therefore our public lands were not homesteaded or patented into private lands. The state and federal governments have derived revenue from these lands through grazing fees, user fees, mineral royalties, mineral sales, timber sales and rights-of-way. Government agencies manage these lands as mandated by congress for the benefit of everyone through a system of multiple use management.

Transferring federal lands to the state for a variety of reasons has recently become popular among some Wyoming politicians. Poll data from the Colorado College State of the Rockies Project shows nearly 60% of Wyomingites oppose transferring federal lands to the state and selling of state and federal lands is even less popular. The state of Wyoming has a history of selling state school section lands throughout the state. Recent examples are sales in Jackson Hole and near the Medicine Lodge State Park, both unpopular with area locals. 

The upcoming primary election will pit several candidates who oppose transferring and selling public lands with those that are on the record as supporting these sales. Protect Wyoming, an organization founded in Cody, monitors public land issues in Wyoming and has developed a scorecard for state legislators’ voting records. In our statewide elections, Sen. Eric Barlow, who is running for governor, and Rep. Steve Harshman, who is running for state superintendent of public instruction, have received the highest rating in support of public land retention by Protect Wyoming. Rep. Martha Lawley (HD 27) has been very supportive of public lands as well. On the other side of the coin, Rep. Paul Hoeft (HD25) who is running for the Senate District 19 seat (Northern Big Horn County), and Rep. Dalton Banks, who is the incumbent in House District 26, have voting records that support the sale or transfer of our public land, and limit protection of these lands for us and future generations. Please research this for yourself at protectwyoming.org. 

Public lands belong to all of us to enjoy. In the Big Horn Basin, we don’t have fancy waterparks, amusement parks, multiplex theaters or local professional sports games to attend. We do have public lands in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S., where we can hunt, fish, ride our horses, motorcycles, ATVs, and mountain bikes, hike, picnic and camp, with very little limitations on access. When my wife and I need to clear our heads and stretch our legs, we take to the BLM hills or the woods and meadows of the Big Horn Mountains. These lands continue to bring in revenue for our government and schools as well. Once they are sold, they are no longer accessible to us, and we will most likely be locked out forever.

Jeff Petty

Shell