Wyo. threatens to sell park land

Wyoming has owned the land since statehood in 1890, when the federal government set aside land in new Western states to be mined, logged, or leased to raise money for public education. Wyoming kept its so-called “school sections’’ after Grand Teton National Park was established in 1950.

The state has tried for a decade to negotiate some kind of trade. Saying that his patience is running out, Freudenthal, a Democrat, sent an ultimatum recently to park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott.

Wyoming gets just $3,000 a year from the land by leasing it for cattle grazing. Sold with the proceeds invested at 3 percent, the land easily could bring in $3.75 million a year. The state’s constitution requires officials to manage state lands for maximum profit. Their oaths of office require them to act.

“If it’s to recreate on, or if it’s a new ski lodge, highest and best use,’’ said Susan Child, deputy director of the state lands office. “It’s obviously not grazing.’’