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The administration considers land exchange to allow Kingsbarn Realty Capital to build private road in Yosemite National Park

The administration is considering a land swap that would allow Kingsbarn Realty Capital to develop a private access road within Yosemite National Park. The Nevada-based developer owns an 83-acre plot known as Hazel Green Ranch, which currently requires a long drive to reach the park's central sights. The proposed deal would grant Kingsbarn Realty Capital an easement or interest in a quarter-mile strip of park land in exchange for land of equal value elsewhere in California. This move marks a significant shift from the federal government's historical role of expanding national parks rather than ceding land within them. While the Department of Interior has pushed for the deal, it has faced criticism from conservationists and Democratic lawmakers. Critics argue the plan is a "back-room deal" that prioritizes private profit over public preservation. However, the developer's attorney, Lanny Davis, argues the shorter route will reduce vehicle emissions and provide a net positive for the environment. The National Park Service has stated that no final decisions have been made and that any proposal will undergo environmental review and public notification.

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