Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Swap Blm topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council members say state, BLM and others disagree on terms of proposed land swap for "Bridal Town" project
Summary
Bicknell leaders reported conflicting information about a proposed Bureau of Land Management land swap tied to flood mitigation funding. Town officials said some state representatives offered a dollar-per-acre option for critical use while others, and BLM contacts, said fair-market-value rules may apply; council asked staff to seek clarity.
Council members told colleagues they are receiving conflicting information from state and federal contacts about a proposal to acquire public land for what participants called the "Bridal Town" project and associated flood mitigation work.
Council discussion described two possible pathways to acquire BLM land: a dollar-per-acre transfer for "critical city use" or a land-swap at fair market value. One council member said state officials and the governor's office had signaled support, and another referenced a recently passed state bill that the group said included $150 million for flood mitigation. A BLM contact, according to council remarks, told town officials the agency had not received required paperwork from the town and that a transfer could take years and potentially require significant payment.
Council members expressed frustration at mixed messages and asked for a clear point of contact. The meeting record includes a phone number presented for a state official: Reg Johnson, (801) 870-3638, offered as a person who could be contacted for clarity on the process.
Why it matters: Acquiring public land for town use or flood mitigation could enable local projects, but council members said they cannot commit without definitive terms and cost estimates. At the meeting, one member said the town cannot afford a market-value purchase but might be interested if the land is available at one dollar per acre under federal critical-use provisions.
Next steps: Councilmembers asked staff and council leadership to pursue direct, written clarification from the BLM and state emergency office and to report back to the council. No formal action to accept or decline the land was taken at the meeting.
