A proposal to sell about 3 million acres of public land is facing significant hurdles, and it might not make it into President Trump’s budget plan. A Senate rules referee has raised a technical issue regarding its inclusion, and it seems that the proposal isn’t very popular either.
The idea, pushed by Senator Mike Lee from Utah, aims to sell federal land near cities to help build affordable housing and support industrial projects. Lee argues that there is a pressing need for affordable housing, especially in areas like Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. His original plan called for federal agencies to identify specific lands for sale across 11 Western states, but notably excluded Montana, where public land sales face strong opposition.
Despite the proposal’s intentions, many Republican senators, including those from traditionally conservative states like Idaho and Montana, have expressed their reluctance to support it. This opposition stems from a growing recognition that public lands are vital to the economy and lifestyle in the West. Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and hunting are deeply ingrained in the culture of these regions. Groups that once leaned conservative are now joining forces with liberal advocates to protect public lands, fearing that even limited sales could set a dangerous precedent.
Land Tawney from the American Hunters & Anglers group criticized the proposal, stating that selling public lands to fund tax breaks for the wealthy is unacceptable. He believes the pushback against Lee’s plan shows that there is no viable solution to this issue.
While opponents are currently celebrating a temporary win, they remain cautious. They expect that proposals to sell public lands will continue to resurface in the future.
In another related development, the Trump administration is looking to reverse the Roadless Rule, a regulation established during President Clinton’s administration that protects 58 million acres of national forest from road building and logging. Critics of the rule argue that it restricts forest management and firefighting efforts. The administration’s agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, recently announced this plan, stating that the rule hinders necessary forest maintenance to prevent wildfires.
Environmentalists are preparing to challenge this reversal if it goes through, indicating that the battle over public lands is far from over.