CHEYENNE - Mindful of the "antagonistic interests" that opposed the state's previous explorations into purchase of private lands, the director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments chose a different approach for the Duncan Ranch.

Lynne Boomgaarden developed a planned process that involved the public and made available detailed analysis of the land acquisition. And that helped persuade the state's top five elected officials to approve the purchase of the Converse County ranch on Thursday.

"Three of us have been here for seven years," Secretary of State Joe Meyer said. "We've gone down a long trail and looked at a lot of property."

"I think this is a win-win," he added. "It's a test project."

Although some opposition had been expressed at public hearings on the acquisition proposal, no one spoke against it on Thursday.

Although no concrete plans have been made for the property, the state Game and Fish Department and the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources have previously given favorable reviews of the proposed purchase.

The parks agency's report concluded that the property could make "an outstanding mountain park, providing ample opportunities for primitive camping, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, etc."

The two other members of the State Loan and Investments Board who have served seven years are Auditor Max Maxfield and Treasurer Cynthia Lummis.

Lummis noted that ranchers' concern that the state planned to transfer bighorn sheep to the ranch were alleviated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The sale will help agriculture in the area because it keeps the ranch intact and safe from subdivision development, she said.

"It's difficult to ranch when you're surrounded by 40-acre ranchettes," Lummis said.

"This is one of the greatest opportunities for multiple use," Maxfield said, citing its benefits to sportsmen, agriculture and recreationists.

The purchase will be in accord with legislation authorizing the state treasurer to invest money contained in the common school account, currently $6.6 million, to buy land for the school trust - providing there be no net gain of more than 10,000 acres of school trust lands.

Agricultural organizations pushed for the "no net gain" provision in state law.

Ken Hamilton of the Wyoming Farm Bureau said later Thursday that while his members recognize the value of the state being able to block up units of state trust lands, some question whether the state will be able to heed the "no net gain" restriction.

He noted the public outcry from various groups whenever the state has tried to sell off state land.

"The political pressure is too great," Hamilton said.

Capital bureau reporter Joan Barron can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at joan.barron@casperstartribune.net.