BLM land swap with Mormons

[USMC123456789]

First glance this doesn't seem like a very good deal, anybody see something I may be missing?

LDS church would get sacred site, Martin’s Cove, under proposed BLM land trade now gaining steam - WyoFile

A quarter century after the church’s attempted purchase fell flat, a renewed plan that would trade LDS land has emerged — and it’s garnering broad support.

wyofile.com

 

[TheTone]

No church should own as much land as the lds church does

 

[jimh406]

No church should own as much land as the lds church does

Just a quick query says the Roman Catholic Church owns nearly 100 times as much world wide. I have no idea why either accumulated so much and these are probably not the only religious institutions that own a lot of land. Of course, that doesn't count how much their churches are worth which is probably a lot.

In any case, the article implies that the idea started outside of LDS. Just light reading suggests there is at least an attempt to trade "historical for LDS" for good land for everyone else. I suppose it will be a while to decide what is actually swapped if any.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

It doesn't look terrible to me. Looks like there is road access to the "Beef Gap" parcel, despite what the article says. Maybe lose some potential future bighorn sheep hunting access.

 

[MTLabrador]

It doesn't look terrible to me. Looks like there is road access to the "Beef Gap" parcel, despite what the article says. Maybe lose some potential future bighorn sheep hunting access.

That area is kind of a pain in the ass. I’m not sure which specific parcel they’re talking about in the beef gap area, but Pathfinder and Split Rock both control a lot of the better access.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

That area is kind of a pain in the ass. I’m not sure which specific parcel they’re talking about in the beef gap area, but Pathfinder and Split Rock both control a lot of the better access.

I think this one. Looks like you can access it via 2 tracks and county roads from both the north east and north west, without crossing private. I've never actually been there, this is just based off what I see on Onx.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

And as far as I can tell, the parcel the public would be giving up doesn't have any public road access to it. You can hike to it though from the highway.

 

[Nostromo]

No church should own as much land as the lds church does

Why shouldn't a church own land?

 

[TheTone]

Why shouldn't a church own land?

I have no issue with them owning land for church buildings but why do they need to own thousands of acres of range /timber lands. They have been buying up farm lands around me lately and I know one of the first thing they did is start applying for landowner tags. No idea what the plan they had for using those was/is

 

[Treeshark]

I know one of the first thing they did is start applying for landowner tags. No idea what the plan they had for using those was/is

You don’t say?

 

[Matthew57]

You don’t say?

View attachment 412347

Landowner tags you say?? “Hi, my name is Treeshark, can I talk to you about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?”

 

[Treeshark]

I have no issue with them owning land for church buildings but why do they need to own thousands of acres of range /timber lands.

I’m uncomfortable with the “why do they need to own…” part of that statement.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

I have no issue with them owning land for church buildings but why do they need to own thousands of acres of range /timber lands. They have been buying up farm lands around me lately and I know one of the first thing they did is start applying for landowner tags. No idea what the plan they had for using those was/is

No different than any other large land owner. Money I suppose. I would just hate to be a donating member of that church and not be able to access all that land!

 

[Forkyfinder]

Landowner tags you say?? “Hi, my name is Treeshark, can I talk to you about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?”

You don’t say?

View attachment 412347

I couldnt be happier that my memery has had a lasting impact

 

[atlas]

I hadn't heard of Martin's Cove! Looks like they saved more lives than were lost at the Mountain Meadows Massacre

 

[atlas]

Which was strangely 1 year after Martin's Cove, quite the change of tone.

 

[USMC123456789]

It doesn't look terrible to me. Looks like there is road access to the "Beef Gap" parcel, despite what the article says. Maybe lose some potential future bighorn sheep hunting access.

I've never been to the "Beef Gap" parcel but have been to Devil's Gate, right next to Martin's Cove. Rush Creek is going to be the water source for the wildlife in the area and any BLM/Public land near that water source is going to be better hunting habitat IMO than the parcel they want to trade.