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Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, Forest Service outline public‑comment step in pending land exchange
Summary
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and the U.S. Forest Service briefed commissioners on a long-running land-exchange proposal: camp parcel appraisal work is complete, a conservation easement is planned, a 30‑day public comment period is expected in November and officials hope to conclude the exchange by mid‑2026.
Representatives from Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and the San Carlos Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service updated Fremont County commissioners on a multi‑year land‑exchange proposal involving private camp property and a federal parcel on Lock Mountain.
Dave Jarvis, executive director of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, said the core proposal has not changed since the board last offered a letter of support three years earlier. Board member Chris Lieber described completed appraisals, monumenting of parcel corners and value equalization work; he said the private parcel under consideration is roughly 94 acres and that most of the site lies in Custer County with about one‑eighth in Fremont County.
The Forest Service’s district ranger, Destiny Chapman, said the parcel the Forest Service would acquire sits on Lock Mountain in Fremont County and is about 120 acres. Chapman said outstanding administrative steps include concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office, a Bureau of Land Management review of mineral potential, and then a 30‑day public comment period expected in November. She said the agencies expect to address comments, complete reviews and aim for a final decision and closing in mid‑2026, but cautioned some reviews will take additional time.
Jarvis said Rainbow Trail is preparing a site master plan and a conservation easement that will establish a buffer between camp facilities and neighboring private properties; the camp’s stated intent is to preserve the site’s legacy rather than pursue major expansion.
Commissioners said they remain on the mailing list for the public‑comment notice and thanked speakers for the update. No formal action or vote was taken by the board on the exchange during the meeting.
