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County signs 30-year BLM access grant and communications lease for Jim/Gel Mountain tower
Summary
Albany County approved a 30-year Bureau of Land Management right-of-way grant and a 30-year communications-use lease that place management of the Jim (Gel) Mountain public-safety communications tower with the Albany County Sheriff's Office.
The Albany County Board of County Commissioners approved two agreements with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management that give the county a 30-year right-of-way for access and a 30-year communications-use lease for the public-safety communications tower on Jim (Gel) Mountain.
A county representative said the documents transfer local responsibility for access and site management to the Albany County Sheriff's Office; both agreements were described as "no cost" public-entity arrangements. "This is the final contract between the Bureau of Land Management [and] Albany County Sheriff's Office," a presenter said, adding that the county will provide oversight, management and maintenance for the communications site.
Commissioners asked operational questions including winter access and snow removal; staff said the University of Wyoming maintains an adjacent road and the county can use snowcat or snowmobile access if needed. Commissioners also confirmed the site will remain joint-use for other agencies — the Forest Service and other public-safety entities would retain microwave links or capacity where applicable.
The board moved and approved both the right-of-way access agreement and the communications lease; no funds or rent exchange were recorded in the agreements and the county did not record any immediate financial obligation beyond site management responsibilities.
