New Map Reveals Specific Public Lands Eligible for Sale in Budget Bill

[ALiberalModerate]

Last week, the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unveiled a plan to sell off as much as 3 million acres of federally managed public lands across several western states. The proposal sparked a massive public outcry among hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Now, a new map from the Wilderness Society shows some of the specific parcels that could be sold to private interests, with no input from the public, if the Senate’s proposal were to pass.

The map can be viewed here. It allows users to toggle back and forth between the 11 states that are being targeted for public land sell-offs: Nevada, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Alaska. It highlight US Forest Service lands in green and Bureau of Land Management lands in yellow. Notably, Utah Sen. Mike Lee—who crafted the provision—exempted the state of Montana from his sell-off plans.

Map Shows Public Lands Elligible For Sale in Budget Bill

An interactive map from the Wilderness Society highlights the tracts of US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands that could go up for sale if the Senate's version of the budget bill passes.

www.fieldandstream.com

The fact that we have set aside and protected vast amounts of public land that every American owns is what sets us aside from Europe and most of the rest of the world. When settlers came here from Europe, they came from a place where aristocracy owned virtually all wildlands. If you hunted, fished, or even trespassed on those wildlands, you could be imprisoned. People have this notion that our "freedom" is what sets the United States apart and what makes us unique. Its not that. There are plenty of countries where you can enjoy the same freedoms of expression, press, free markets, and even the right to own firearms. Those freedoms are very important in this country, but they are not what makes the United States unique. What makes us unique is we are the only country on earth with hundreds of millions of people that has still managed to preserve hundreds of millions of acres of wildlands and wilderness in the public trust. Sure, you can find a lot of wilderness in Canada and Australia, but they have 10% of our population. There is no where on earth with our population that has put so much land in public ownership. In fact, it has never happened in the history of civilization. Every acre of National Forests, National Grasslands, and BLM land is owned by every American. Every American can hunt, fish, camp, hike, backpack, ride on horseback, and bike that land. Its ours. It's our kids. It's our grandkids. It's our great grandkids. If this country has given you nothing else, it has given you that land.

Selling much of it off would be the worst thing the United States government has done any our lifetimes - and once it is gone, it is gone forever. I encourage everyone, regardless of whether you are on the right or the left, to call your senators and tell them to demand this provision is removed from the budget bill being debated in the senate.

 

[Logophile]

I'm torn on it. I've had some encounters with BLM "management," a bunch of power drunk agents that grant big ranchers the right to graze whatever they want whenever they want, and to heck with the little Joe public. And frankly, I detest hunting

 

[Lursa]

Map Shows Public Lands Elligible For Sale in Budget Bill

An interactive map from the Wilderness Society highlights the tracts of US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands that could go up for sale if the Senate's version of the budget bill passes.

www.fieldandstream.com

The fact that we have set aside and protected vast amounts of public land that every American owns is what sets us aside from Europe and most of the rest of the world. When settlers came here from Europe, they came from a place where aristocracy owned virtually all wildlands. If you hunted, fished, or even trespassed on those wildlands, you could be imprisoned. People have this notion that our "freedom" is what sets the United States apart and what makes us unique. Its not that. There are plenty of countries where you can enjoy the same freedoms of expression, press, free markets, and even the right to own firearms. Those freedoms are very important in this country, but they are not what makes the United States unique. What makes us unique is we are the only country on earth with hundreds of millions of people that has still managed to preserve hundreds of millions of acres of wildlands and wilderness in the public trust. Sure, you can find a lot of wilderness in Canada and Australia, but they have 10% of our population. There is no where on earth with our population that has put so much land in public ownership. In fact, it has never happened in the history of civilization. Every acre of National Forests, National Grasslands, and BLM land is owned by every American. Every American can hunt, fish, camp, hike, backpack, ride on horseback, and bike that land. Its ours. It's our kids. It's our grandkids. It's our great grandkids. If this country has given you nothing else, it has given you that land.

Selling much of it off would be the worst thing the United States government has done any our lifetimes - and once it is gone, it is gone forever. I encourage everyone, regardless of whether you are on the right or the left, to call your senators and tell them to demand this provision is removed from the budget bill being debated in the senate.

I told you so.

This belongs at MAGA's door...a more spineless, irresponsible, selfish, gullible, unAmerican group of Americans has not been seen before. And stupid, since little to none of the $$ will go to any of them. Just the autocrats they envy and worship. They'll find themselves locked out of their own backyards, their own recreational playgrounds.

 

[OrphanSlug]

It takes being MAGA to entertain the idea of selling off government assets while bitching about government debt as a percentage of GDP.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

I'm torn on it. I've had some encounters with BLM "management," a bunch of power drunk agents that grant big ranchers the right to graze whatever they want whenever they want, and to heck with the little Joe public. And frankly, I detest hunting

You have a voice in how that BLM land is managed. It’s not just about hunting either. It’s open to all sorts of recreation. If it’s put up for sale, all the land valuable for mining and extraction will be sold off for exploitation, all the land with recreational value will be sold to developers and then sold to billionaires looking for vacation properties, and the taxpayers will be stuck with what is left.

 

[Integrityrespec]

Map Shows Public Lands Elligible For Sale in Budget Bill

An interactive map from the Wilderness Society highlights the tracts of US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands that could go up for sale if the Senate's version of the budget bill passes.

www.fieldandstream.com

The fact that we have set aside and protected vast amounts of public land that every American owns is what sets us aside from Europe and most of the rest of the world. When settlers came here from Europe, they came from a place where aristocracy owned virtually all wildlands. If you hunted, fished, or even trespassed on those wildlands, you could be imprisoned. People have this notion that our "freedom" is what sets the United States apart and what makes us unique. Its not that. There are plenty of countries where you can enjoy the same freedoms of expression, press, free markets, and even the right to own firearms. Those freedoms are very important in this country, but they are not what makes the United States unique. What makes us unique is we are the only country on earth with hundreds of millions of people that has still managed to preserve hundreds of millions of acres of wildlands and wilderness in the public trust. Sure, you can find a lot of wilderness in Canada and Australia, but they have 10% of our population. There is no where on earth with our population that has put so much land in public ownership. In fact, it has never happened in the history of civilization. Every acre of National Forests, National Grasslands, and BLM land is owned by every American. Every American can hunt, fish, camp, hike, backpack, ride on horseback, and bike that land. Its ours. It's our kids. It's our grandkids. It's our great grandkids. If this country has given you nothing else, it has given you that land.

Selling much of it off would be the worst thing the United States government has done any our lifetimes - and once it is gone, it is gone forever. I encourage everyone, regardless of whether you are on the right or the left, to call your senators and tell them to demand this provision is removed from the budget bill being debated in the senate.

Do we really own it? I mean can I go cut down my next Christmas tree there? Can I build a cabin, fence it off and run several hundred head of cattle on it?

 

[lynnwinslow]

Michael Cole has posted that the opening of lands is much needed in Nevada but I'm still leery of anything in that reconciliation Bill.

 

[Mr Person]

Map Shows Public Lands Elligible For Sale in Budget Bill

An interactive map from the Wilderness Society highlights the tracts of US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands that could go up for sale if the Senate's version of the budget bill passes.

www.fieldandstream.com

The fact that we have set aside and protected vast amounts of public land that every American owns is what sets us aside from Europe and most of the rest of the world. When settlers came here from Europe, they came from a place where aristocracy owned virtually all wildlands. If you hunted, fished, or even trespassed on those wildlands, you could be imprisoned. People have this notion that our "freedom" is what sets the United States apart and what makes us unique. Its not that. There are plenty of countries where you can enjoy the same freedoms of expression, press, free markets, and even the right to own firearms. Those freedoms are very important in this country, but they are not what makes the United States unique. What makes us unique is we are the only country on earth with hundreds of millions of people that has still managed to preserve hundreds of millions of acres of wildlands and wilderness in the public trust. Sure, you can find a lot of wilderness in Canada and Australia, but they have 10% of our population. There is no where on earth with our population that has put so much land in public ownership. In fact, it has never happened in the history of civilization. Every acre of National Forests, National Grasslands, and BLM land is owned by every American. Every American can hunt, fish, camp, hike, backpack, ride on horseback, and bike that land. Its ours. It's our kids. It's our grandkids. It's our great grandkids. If this country has given you nothing else, it has given you that land.

Selling much of it off would be the worst thing the United States government has done any our lifetimes - and once it is gone, it is gone forever. I encourage everyone, regardless of whether you are on the right or the left, to call your senators and tell them to demand this provision is removed from the budget bill being debated in the senate.

The demented and crass corrupt president thinks selling it in some way shores up the trillions of dollars of additional debt his second tax cuts for the richest will create. His base, without whom reality would be better, cheers. Because that's just how much they fit the much-needed DnD designation of "stupid evil".

This is absolutely awful. His base will cheer. Look at the comment just below this post (only noticed after making it)

EDIT:

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

 

[Integrityrespec]

You have a voice in how that BLM land is managed. It’s not just about hunting either. It’s open to all sorts of recreation. If it’s put up for sale, all the land valuable for mining and extraction will be sold off for exploitation, all the land with recreational value will be sold to developers and then sold to billionaires looking for vacation properties, and the taxpayers will be stuck with what is left.

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

 

[lynnwinslow]

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

That's the bar? Why don't we sell access to the Oval office?
Oh wait, Republicans already do that.

 

[Mr Person]

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

What won't you defend?

 

[phoenix2020]

How would this land be sold? Would it be public or would big corporations and Trump-aligned politicians and billionaires be able to quietly sign and seal deals behind closed doors? Given that this is the least transparent administration we've seen in decades, the latter seems quite possible.

 

[phoenix2020]

What won't you defend?

He's obligated to defend anything and everything that Donald does. If Donald called him a poo-poo head on Truth Social, he'd have to smile and say "yeah, Donald's the man and he sure loves America and I completely agree with him that I am a poo-poo head."

 

[Logophile]

You have a voice in how that BLM land is managed. It’s not just about hunting either. It’s open to all sorts of recreation. If it’s put up for sale, all the land valuable for mining and extraction will be sold off for exploitation, all the land with recreational value will be sold to developers and then sold to billionaires looking for vacation properties, and the taxpayers will be stuck with what is left.

As I said, I'm torn. I've seen wild horses run to exhaustion by BLM, and parched land overgrazed by skinny cow. The BLM agents disgust me, and I think the wildlife would be better off on private preserves. If - for example - the Nature Conservancy bought some of that land, I'd be more than happy

 

[phoenix2020]

As I said, I'm torn. I've seen wild horses run to exhaustion by BLM, and parched land overgrazed by skinny cow. The BLM agents disgust me, and I think the wildlife would be better off on private preserves. If - for example - the Nature Conservancy bought some of that land, I'd be more than happy

I would agree with this.

That said I am concerned that, given how this administration operates, it will pick and choose who purchases what land and who is even allowed to participate in the process. I could see them declaring Nature Conservancy to be too woke ("Look at all the leftist women serving in their executive leadership!") and therefore disallowed from participating in the process.

 

[Integrityrespec]

What won't you defend?

You.
Seriously, I don't see an issue with selling some public land for profit. What's your problem with it?

 

[jaeger19]

Do we really own it? I mean can I go cut down my next Christmas tree there? Can I build a cabin, fence it off and run several hundred head of cattle on it?

Yes . You can get a permit to cut firewood there . You can get a permit to cut a Christmas tree. You can get a permit to build fence and run hundreds of cattle on it.
You can mountain bike on it.
Hike on it.
Hunt on it.
Fish on it.
Camp on it.

 

[jaeger19]

As I said, I'm torn. I've seen wild horses run to exhaustion by BLM, and parched land overgrazed by skinny cow. The BLM agents disgust me, and I think the wildlife would be better off on private preserves. If - for example - the Nature Conservancy bought some of that land, I'd be more than happy

Ha. That land is going to be bought by big corporate ranches that overgraze those lands or developers or billionaires for recreation.

 

[Mr Person]

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

What won't you defend?

You.
Seriously, I don't see an issue with selling some public land for profit. What's your problem with it?

You.....won't defend me? Wow, I'm heartbroken.

And holy **** are you serious? The problem is that the amount taken in - used to justify tax cuts that will cost 4 trillion over 10 years - is absolute nothing compared ot that price. The problem is that a Real Man (tm) called Teddy Roosevelt wisely pushed to protect vast tracts of beautiful land.

For citizens to enjoy nature. For citizens to hunt. For there to be beatiful land that isn't raped for money, when there's so much other land that can be so raped.



It is insanely crass of you to defend this. Do you think nothing of the next generations? Christ, you're not even going to personally benefit from the sales, are you? It's just.... Trump did it so you have to defend. You can't possibly think this is a good thing.... not unless you want Earth to be this reality's Trantor.

I swear on my soul I could not look in the mirror one more time if I so betrayed principle.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

Not nearly as much as it is worth to current and future generations. Assuming they got 1000 an acre, it’s a few billion for all of it.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

I would agree with this.

That said I am concerned that, given how this administration operates, it will pick and choose who purchases what land and who is even allowed to participate in the process. I could see them declaring Nature Conservancy to be too woke ("Look at all the leftist women serving in their executive leadership!") and therefore disallowed from participating in the process.

The nature conservancy only has the resources to purchase and manage a tiny portion of the land that would be up for sale. Also, while I love wild horses, they are technically an invasive species.

 

[Helix]

The Democrats need to announce that all public land sold will be clawed back when Republicans lose power and that anything developed on it will be demolished at the owner's expense. That should make it a little less appealing for buyers.

 

[George50]

Do we really own it? I mean can I go cut down my next Christmas tree there? Can I build a cabin, fence it off and run several hundred head of cattle on it?

Yes! WE including you do own it. YOU don’t own it. WE including you decide what can be done with it and that does not include the things you mentioned.

 

[George50]

How much money can the government make off the sales of this land?

A hell of a lot less than the Republican congress wants to take from poor people and give to Elon, Trump and their buddies.

 

[George50]

I'm torn on it. I've had some encounters with BLM "management," a bunch of power drunk agents that grant big ranchers the right to graze whatever they want whenever they want, and to heck with the little Joe public. And frankly, I detest hunting

Given your objection it would make more sense to have Congress forbid ranchers from using the land than getting rid of it.