A proposed land exchange near Yosemite National Park is drawing scrutiny amid reports that the Trump administration is considering a deal to allow a private developer to build a road through or alongside federal park land. The proposal would provide access to Nevada-based Kingsbarn Realty Capital's 83-acre Hazel Green property, located just outside the park's western boundary, via a short roadway connected to the existing park network. Davis, counsel to Kingsbarn Realty Capital, the firm working on the possible sale, told Newsweek in an emailed statement that the project is "for an access road under a half mile." "This land exchange mechanism is expressly provided for under federal law and will not reduce the land area of the park," Davis added.
The plan has prompted opposition from environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers. Proponents argue the project will improve safety and reduce vehicle emissions by shortening travel routes, while critics contend it establishes a troubling precedent for private development adjacent to public lands. In an emailed statement to Newsweek on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, which oversees the National Park Service (NPS), said, "There has been no political pressure to reach a predetermined outcome, and claims suggesting the Department is secretly working to hand over National Park Service land to a private developer are false." "This story relies on anonymous allegations to manufacture a political narrative that simply is not true," the statement read.
The Interior Department added that any potential agreement remains under consideration. "Any land exchange or access proposal involving National Park Service lands would be subject to all applicable federal laws, regulations and Departmental policies, including required environmental review and public notification processes. No final decisions have been made," the statement continued.
"If a proposal advances, the Department will follow established procedures to ensure appropriate coordination, transparency and public involvement consistent with federal law. Anonymous speculation does not change those facts." NPS officials have been exploring a potential arrangement under which Kingsbarn could obtain an easement or other interest in a narrow section of Yosemite land in exchange for property of equal value elsewhere in California, NOTUS reported. Critics warn the transaction could open the door to future commercial development affecting national parks.
Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park's former superintendent, told The Los Angeles Times he believes the proposal itself is unlawful. "I think it's basically illegal, number one. We just don't do this kind of activity.
We don't transfer public lands to other entities," Neubacher said. "It even went to Congress this past year. They wanted to get approval from Congress to do it, but Congress said no." "Five million visitors that already have access to the park.
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