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LDS church would get sacred site, Martin’s Cove, under proposed BLM land trade now gaining steam
Advocates say the swap would give the public equal acreage, improve wildlife habitat and preserve access to the historic site.
Wyoming state representative Lloyd Larsen and the nonprofit group Wyoming Friends for Martin's Cove proposed a land exchange to transfer 933 Bureau of Land Management acres surrounding Martin's Cove to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Martin's Cove holds historical significance as the 1856 refuge site for a stranded handcart company; the church currently holds a 25-year lease from the Bureau of Land Management, though previous management efforts sparked controversy and litigation.
Parcels identified for the exchange include a 358-acre tract near Independence Rock and 575 acres between Miller Springs and Savage Peak, which proponents argue secures wildlife habitat and preserves historic sites.
Support from three former Wyoming governors—Matt Mead, Dave Freudenthal, and Mike Sullivan—and former Interior Department appointee Rob Wallace strengthens the effort, with the Bureau of Land Management stating it will follow Congressional direction.
Julia Stuble, Wyoming director for The Wilderness Society, praised the proponents' "sound process" for prioritizing public interest, while advocates draft legislation aiming for congressional introduction this summer.