CASPER, Wyo. — A decision to lease the Martin's Cove historic site to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been appealed by a group that says the church's proposed annual lease payment is not enough because the appraised value of the land is too low.

The appraisal was based on valuation of the Bureau of Land Management property as undeveloped grazing land. The appeal, submitted Tuesday by the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, describes that valuation as "arbitrary, capricious, as well as an abuse of discretion."

The alliance's appeal states "the real value of a national historic site has not been demonstrated."

Because of the low valuation, the $17,000 annual lease fee the church will pay is too low, according to Barbara Dobos, a representative of the group.

"We're asking to have it reappraised on a different basis and to come up with a more realistic figure," she said.

The actual amount the church would pay the BLM to lease the site is $16,000, because a $1,000 value was given to the church's privately held land that is used for public access to the cove.

The Alliance for Historic Wyoming filed the appeal with BLM State Director Bob Bennett, among others, at the tail end of the 30-day appeal period. The lease decision was signed Oct. 26.

But Lloyd Larsen, stake president with the LDS Church in Riverton, said he believed the church's position is "easily defensible," and the appraisal was part of the process in working out the lease.

"We've been through this whole process and stayed within the guidelines of the regulations," he said. "We've followed the (National Environmental Policy Act) and the process, and we knew that there was a 30-day appeal. They certainly have the right to do that, and they certainly have the right to see that process through. We feel very comfortable that we've followed the policies that have been established very closely. It will just have to follow the appeal process and see what happens."

The appeal says the area has been managed as an important historical site, and the appraised value should reflect that.

The appeal also says in 1997 the BLM invested $250,000 in trails, signs and visitor facilities at Martin's Cove, "giving further evidence that Martin's Cove has been recognized for its historic/recreation value for a long time."

Located 55 miles southwest of Casper, Martin's Cove was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1977. It is important to LDS history, as Mormon pioneers in 1856 trekking westward sought shelter there in an October blizzard. Many of them died.

National historic trails such as the Pony Express, Oregon, California and Mormon pioneer trails are nearby.

BLM officials were not available for comment Wednesday.