GILLETTE, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the Campbell County Board of Commissioners addressed a request for proposals for a grazing lease on the Spaeth Ranch and a surface lands agreement for a scoria pit at the same location.
Commissioners approved a public notice for a one-year grazing lease on about 6,800 acres of the Spaeth Ranch. The property consists of the 5,300-acre Spaeth Ranch, a roughly 820-acre state grazing lease, three Bureau of Land Management leases totaling about 140 acres, and a 596-acre Wyodak grazing lease.
According to Sandra Beeman, the property includes existing fences and both electric and solar-powered water wells. The county will be responsible for the maintenance of the water wells, while the lessee will cover the cost of electricity for the electric wells.
The timeline for the grazing lease proposal includes advertising through April 22, with bid proposals due by 4 p.m. that day. A special meeting has been set for April 23 at 4 p.m. to select the winning bid. The final agreement is expected to be presented to the commissioners for approval at their May 6 meeting, with the lease anticipated to start May 7.
An inquiry session for potential bidders will take place April 1 at 1 p.m. during the next regular commissioners’ meeting.
Commissioners discussed payment terms, with a preference for upfront payment unless other arrangements are made with the board. Subleasing will not be permitted, and the lessee must own the cattle. Information packets containing the public notice, a property map, the existing Wyodak grazing lease agreement and information regarding the state grazing lease will be available on the county website and in the Commissioner’s Office.
Chairman Kelley McCreery will serve as the point of contact for any questions regarding the property.
In a separate item concerning the Spaeth Ranch, commissioners considered a surface lands agreement for a scoria pit. However, a motion was made and approved to table this item until the regular meeting on April 1 to allow for clarification on certain aspects of the agreement with the construction company involved.
