CO slams brakes on giant land transfer from state trust to feds and CPW.

[elkduds]

Why? Could it be Polis et al are losing faith in current management and future of BLM and USFS?

A plan to sell a 46,000-acre State Land Board parcel in Colorado’s San Luis Valley could be crumbling

The Colorado State Land Board since 2017 has studied a $50 million plan to sell the 45,952-acre La Jara parcel to the Forest Service, BLM, CPW

coloradosun.com

 

[Treeshark]

My guess would be they intend to find out if they can sell it for more to private buyers.

 

[Oak]

Why? Could it be Polis et al are losing faith in current management and future of BLM and USFS?

A plan to sell a 46,000-acre State Land Board parcel in Colorado’s San Luis Valley could be crumbling

The Colorado State Land Board since 2017 has studied a $50 million plan to sell the 45,952-acre La Jara parcel to the Forest Service, BLM, CPW

coloradosun.com

As noted in the article, the use of LWCF funding restricts the federal agencies from disposing of those lands. Even in the uncertain political climate, I expect lands with those special restrictions to be low on the priority list for disposal. Maybe another private buyer entered the picture...maybe the Governor had a change of heart and wants it to be his next state park.

 

[elkduds]

As noted in the article, the use of LWCF funding restricts the federal agencies from disposing of those lands. Even in the uncertain political climate, I expect lands with those special restrictions to be low on the priority list for disposal. Maybe another private buyer entered the picture...maybe the Governor had a change of heart and wants it to be his next state park.

Glad to hear they aren't supposed to dispose of these lands, don't really trust the current admin on PLT. I was referencing poor to no management by BLM and USFS, mineral leasing. @Oak , are you thinking of a land trust as alternative buyer, or a private party?

 

[Oak]

Glad to hear they aren't supposed to dispose of these lands, don't really trust the current admin on PLT. I was referencing poor to no management by BLM and USFS, mineral leasing. @Oak , are you thinking of a land trust as alternative buyer, or a private party?

I was purely speculating about the potential for a private buyer. It would be foolhardy to give up the $45 million already committed to the acquisition if the SLB still intends to dispose of the property. I also find it odd that the SLB has directed questions to the Governor's office, which they don't typically do as an independent board.

This project has nearly zero headwinds as it has developed, until two new SLB commissioners were appointed in July. Odd.

“I’ve watched for years as the community came together and galvanized over this. I do not have one person in my community telling me please don’t let this happen,” said state Sen. Cleave Simpson, a Republican from Alamosa who also serves as the head of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. “I don’t understand this shift at the eleventh hour after so many people have worked so hard to get here. To say you are going to turn this community on its head without any engagement and conversation or outreach, there is just an extremely high level of frustration on my part right now.”

 

[Treeshark]

This project has nearly zero headwinds as it has developed, until two new SLB commissioners were appointed in July. Odd.

Cui bono?

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Very strange situation, particularly Polis changing tune so quickly. This reeks of eco-terrorist Land Board Director Nicole Rosmarino trying to ensure Colorado sportsmen and women are locked out of this land. She is likely lining up a private purchase or lease through her wealthy “rewilding/coexistence” pals to ensure no consumptive use or public access.

Should we be writing the Land Board? I wrote them previously protesting her appointment. Did not affect much as rural voices are routinely ignored here.

 

[Oak]

Should we be writing the Land Board? I wrote them previously protesting her appointment. Did affect much as rural voices are routinely ignored here.

I was going to post the link to the SLB comment form, but it is taken down two days before the meeting (which is November 13 this month).

 

[bayoublaster7527]

I was going to post the link to the SLB comment form, but it is taken down two days before the meeting (which is November 13 this month).

Dang. Maybe reach out to Sen Bennett and Hickenlooper’s offices? Don’t know how much they can influence SLB.

Very underhanded how this is all going down.