A new budget reconciliation package released by the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee has ignited controversy nationwide, with conservation groups warning that more than 250 million acres of public land could be put up for sale if the bill passes.
The bill, updated on June 14, mandates the disposal of at least 2 million to 3 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands across 11 western states, but authorizes the sale of vastly more, potentially up to 258 million acres.
The lands eligible for sale include local recreation areas, wilderness study areas, inventoried roadless areas, and other administratively protected landscapes. While national monuments and certain federally protected lands are exempt, the bill leaves many critical habitats, wilderness areas, and lands with significant cultural and ecological value on the table for privatization.
Any interested party may purchase the land, with limited safeguards or restrictions on use, and state or local governments are given little advantage in the bidding process. Notably, the legislation does not grant Tribal Nations the right of first refusal.
The targeted states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Wilderness Society called the move “a betrayal of future generations,” warning that it threatens access to outdoor spaces and undermines decades of bipartisan conservation policy. There is also concern that the bill could set a dangerous precedent, allowing Congress to liquidate public lands to fund unrelated federal priorities.
The bill is advancing through the Senate as part of a larger spending package, using the reconciliation process to bypass the usual debate and amendment procedures.
wow! better yet, why dont Sullivan and Begich sell there homes and leave state. Alaska brlongs to Alaskans. Let the people decide. and why your at, how about hiring American companies to contract our mining developement instead of foreign interest . ex: Pogo, Nova Gold, Tek, Atco,,,,,
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we totally oppose this action. taking federal land to sell to pay for others agenda of the present robs future generations of the benefits of open land.
This bill is a betrayal of the American people and I am disgusted that our Senators would approve it. It all part of the Project 2025 plan to enable big corporations, wealthy elites and tech moguls to buy up land that belongs to the American public and use it for private use fiefdoms and playgrounds, or for mineral, oil, gas and timber extraction without safeguarding the environment.
This Congress will own responsibility for these actions. for generations to come. This land was set aside for the American public and it will never be available again as it is permanent destruction of our national heritage. And all without allowing tribal nations and state and local governments to have first rights to it.
An article this alarming should cite the exact bill,
who has authored it and information on how to protest it. Anything less is poor journalism and useless other than to incite emotions that have no direction for resistance.
Save the Western States from money hungry government and big companies wanting to exploit us.
God help 🙏 Amen Janet ❤️ 🙏 🙌
We love our public land and regularly use it with respect for hiking and camping. Ordinary people would not be able to afford to purchase this land.. it would only be the extremely wealthy or corporations. Shame on Mike Lee for supporting this bill. I’m sure the hunters, campers, nature lovers of Utah cannot be for this. Arizonians will not be happy about this. Please protect our public lands.