BLM seeks input on proposed land exchange in Campbell County

BUFFALO, Wyo. - The Bureau of Land Management Buffalo Field Office is seeking input on a proposed land exchange that, if approved, would increase public access by creating an approximately 10,347-acre contiguous block of public lands in northern Campbell County. The BLM will prepare an environmental assessment to analyze the proposal and is initiating a 45-day public comment period.

The BLM and the Quarter Circle 7 Ranch are proposing to exchange, in two phases, approximately 2,372 acres of non-federal land for up to 4,678 acres of isolated and scattered BLM-administered parcels. Not all the lands the BLM has identified would be exchanged; rather, the exchange would be completed on an equal value basis in accordance with federal regulations.

The exchange would unlock access to 2,500-acre acres of public land nominated by the public through the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, providing more opportunities for recreational activities such as hiking, hunting, and more. Many of the identified federal lands currently provide little or no public access, making these lands difficult to manage and adding little value to the public. Consolidating federal lands and removing isolated federal inholdings from private lands would improve both the BLM's and the private ranch's abilities to manage these lands.

"Part of our assessment is determining whether the exchange is in the public's interest," said Buffalo Field Manager Todd Yeager. "Hearing from the public early in the process is important."

The BLM will host a public scoping meeting on July 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Campbell County Public Library, 2101 S 4-J Rd, Gillette, WY. Written comments must be submitted by August 8, 2022, and may be submitted through the ePlanning project webpage at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019435/510, by email sent to [email protected], or by mail: BLM Buffalo Field Office, Attn: Quarter Circle 7 Land Exchange, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834.

For more information, please see the BLM's ePlanning website or contact the Buffalo Field Office at 307-684-1100.

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