Utah Senator Mike Lee is determined to get public land sales in the federal budget reconciliation bill despite widespread backlash from communities, hunters, ranchers, and members of his own party.
On Monday, the Senate Parliamentarian—a nonpartisan advisor who ensures parliamentary procedures and rules are being followed—ruled out Lee’s original plan to sell off up to 3.2 million acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land across the West.
Instead of accepting the ruling, Lee said he is working on a revised plan. Though he has not officially released an updated proposal, Lee said U.S. Forest Service land will no longer be included. BLM land within 5 miles of “population centers” will still be eligible, even though a majority of national public lands near communities are at greater risk of wildfire.
“Western voters have made it clear time and again that they want to protect public lands and they do not support selling America’s public lands to private developers,” said Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala. “If Senator Lee or his anti-public lands allies try to bring it back in any form, they will discover the backlash is just as severe.”
Quick hits
Lee working on revisions to keep public land sales in budget mega-bill
Associated Press | NPR | PBS News | Outdoor Life | Inside Climate News | Los Angeles Times | KSL | E&E News | Source NM | Salt Lake Tribune | WyoFile
Column: Mike Lee flails as his public land sale triggers firestorm
Teton County wants same federal land sale exemption Montana got
Trump bid to repeal forest protections faces hurdles
Opinion: Public land—land of the free—defines Wyoming
Daines and Sheehy ‘aligned’ in opposition to public lands sale in Senate budget bill
Millions of acres of Colorado forest under threat after Trump reverses longstanding roadless rule
Rinella: Will Trump keep public lands in public hands?
Quote of the day
I’m proud to say I’ve worn out two compasses, something that never could have happened behind the Midwest’s fences.”
—Chris Madson, wildlife biologist at The Wildlife Society and longtime Wyoming resident, WyoFile
Picture This
Me reaching for a glass of water on my nightstand at 2 AM.
So thirsty! When out and about on public lands this summer, stay hydrated and drink BEFORE you feel thirsty. Take breaks in the shade, drink electrolytes and make sure to carry enough water for the duration of your trip.
Photo by Lori Rothstein
(Featured image: Utah Senator Mike Lee. Photo by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons)