How can this happen? (Gunnison: real estate, lease, home)

[proveick]

Developer Tom Chapman Plans Prominent Mansion In Black Canyon At Gunnison National Park RP

[DOUBLE H]

I wish I knew. This guy has made a lot of money doing this, buying land in wilderness areas and threatening to develop them, basically holding up the government hostage, in particular the USFS. He has been doing this for years. Another project he has planned is around the Mountain Of The Holy Cross area.

[EscapeCalifornia]

What is the history on the piece of land? National Park to me implies that the land is owned by the government. Was this land in private hands before being surrounded by the park?

[proveick]

Maybe he has a 100 year lease like they do in the Canadian park system. RP

[Idunn]

'Chapman is making no apologies for the development, telling the Watch: "I'm a private property advocate and a capitalist, for which I would never apologize."
- 'The Huffington Post'


I have another term for this guy which he wouldn't like, and wouldn't be suitable for the delicate ears of this forum.

That same term would apply to all officials who do not forestall such things. Not a single visitor to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park should be subjected to the handiwork of Mr. Chapman. Period. And they should see that it doesn't happen. Private property or not, some things simply are not appropriate.

Which reminds me that examples of such things do exist. There are small private cabins scattered about Rocky Mountain National Park, for instance. They are grandfathered in, but my understanding with the provision that the exteriors cannot be much modified. As they remain, but quaint historical reminders, largely inoffensive.

If one looks at USGS or other maps you'll notice small plots of private land spotted throughout our national forests, national parks, and wilderness areas. There are even a few near Yosemite National Park in a primitive area. I do not know the status, other than presumably private. Restrictions probably vary.

But it should be obvious to all that the experience of such protected and special places would be threatened or severely compromised if any and all development was allowed on such 'private property.' As a society we must make choices, and one of them should be that the concept of 'private property' does not always trump the common good.

[breaksraver13]

wait till Jazz gets a word of this..........and no matter how vile his response, I will back him 1000% percent on this one!!!!!!..........absolutely DISGUSTING, it even makes me want to cry

[TungstenIron]

This miscreant is THE worst example of the soulless, sociopathic developer/opportunist. This is one more of his grandiose ploys that WILL come to fruition unless current laws are revised/sunsetted regarding parcels of private land within parks and monuments. The state and federal coffers aren't exactly flush with cash right now, so unfortunately there may not be the means necessary for a heated legal battle. I try not to ever wish ill will upon anyone-except for the likes of Osama Bin Laden-but I'd have a tough time not releasing the safety on my sidearm if Chapman were in my sights.

[breaksraver13]

Originally Posted by TungstenIron

This miscreant is just another soulless, sociopathic developer/opportunist. This is one more of his grandiose ploys that WILL come to fruition unless current laws are revised/sunsetted regarding parcels of private land within parks and monuments. The state and federal coffers aren't exactly flush with cash right now, so unfortunately there may not be the means necessary for a heated legal battle. I try not to ever wish ill will upon anyone-except for the likes of Osama Bin Laden-but I'd have a tough time not releasing the safety on my sidearm if Chapman were in my crosshairs.

true....I too am a "live and let live" kind of person, but I feel personally violated by this, as an avid outdoor person.......you go to national parks to get away from $hit like this, this is the place where it's all suppose to go away

[jazzlover]

I personally know Tom Chapman and despise him for what he does. He has made a living off of the taxpayers of the United States for years, by buying small private inholdings near wilderness areas or National Parks and then threatening something like this to blackmail the government into buying it at an inflated price. He has been doing this for at least 30 years.

Ironically, Tom Chapman's late brother, who I knew well, was nothing like Tom, and was one of the most honest, decent people that I have ever met. One good, one evil--amazing how two brothers could be so different.

[jim9251]

I've only lived here for 6 months and already sick of greedy real estate developers who are raping our resources to make a buck. WHO is going to buy a 25,000 sq foot home in the middle of a desert? This guy is worst of the worst. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.