Here is an update on the federal land study the Wyoming Legislature has authorized:
*Proposals were due June 4, 2015.
*Only one proposal was received.
*Apparently the State intends to award the contract to only company that submitted a proposal. That company is Y2 Consultants out of Jackson, Wyoming
http://www.y2consultants.com/
The Request for Proposals (RFP) contained the following description of the study:
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
A. General Information
Pursuant to 2015 Session Laws, Ch. 192, §1, Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) is seeking proposals from research and/or consulting firms to provide a study and report to consider the State of Wyoming managing federally administered public lands within the State of Wyoming.
B. Services Required
The Successful Proposer will be required to provide a high level of quality services which are normally associated with handling a project of this scope and size.
It is the expectation of OSLI that the Successful Proposer will perform a study and report that includes, at a minimum, an analysis of the topics listed below. The study and report shall include a proposed plan for the administration, management, and use of the federal public lands in the State of Wyoming under the principle of multiple use and sustained yield including, but not limited to, the continuation of all existing public access to the lands for hunting, fishing and recreation subject to closure for special circumstances including public safety and environmental sensitivity.
OSLI is required to provide periodic project updates to the Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee, and must submit the final report to the Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee no later than November 30, 2016. Therefore, the Successful Proposer will be required to submit to OSLI periodic project updates (dates to be determined by the Successful Proposer and OSLI ) and the final report 90 days prior to November 30, 2016.
At a minimum, the study and final report shall include and provide the following:
1. An identification of federally administered public lands within the State and the interests, rights and uses associated with those lands (hereinafter referred to as “The Lands”). The study shall exclude current congressionally designated wilderness areas; national conservation areas; and lands currently administered by the Department of Energy, Department of Defense; the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and National Park Service.
2. An economic analysis concerning the management of The Lands including
i) The identification of all costs directly incident to the management of The Lands.
ii) A comparison of the likely costs for the State of Wyoming to manage The Lands and the costs incurred by the federal government to manage The Lands. In determining likely costs, the comparison shall consider differing land management objectives and practices.
iii) The identification of sources of revenue to pay for the administration and maintenance of The Lands by the State of Wyoming, including appropriate fees to charge the federal government for the management of The Lands.
iv) A determination of the amount of any revenue that is currently received by the State of Wyoming or political subdivision thereof in connection with The Lands, including but not limited to, any payments made in lieu of taxes and mineral royalties and leases.
v) The identification of any potential revenue which may be received from The Lands by the State of Wyoming after the management of The Lands by the State of Wyoming and recommendations for the distribution of those revenues.
vi) Consideration of other relevant federal actions or policies determined to impact revenues to the State of Wyoming due to federally managed lands.
3. Identification of traditional cooperative and cost-sharing opportunities and programs associated with The Lands and state land management agencies.
To the extent possible, the study shall include any other relevant factors the Successful Proposer concludes would be helpful in identifying the policy considerations surrounding the State of Wyoming managing The Lands.
COMMUNICATION WITH OSLI
There will be constant (possibly daily) contact between OSLI and the Successful Proposer throughout the entire process of the study and preparation of the report. While most of the contact will be by phone and email, it is expected that the Successful Proposer’s project lead will meet with OSLI’s project lead and/or staff as necessary. Travel by the Successful Proposer for these meetings as necessary will not be billable travel expenses. The Successful Proposer will also be required, at the expense of the Successful Proposer, to send a representative to a minimum of one Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee meeting at a location within the State of Wyoming to be determined and date to be announced.
The contact person at the Office of State Lands and Investments is Susan Child, phone (307) 777-3428.
