42 replies to this topic

[bunyon]

These enormous bills involve immense horse trading. The sales could easily make it in there. But they could also be taken out. I don't know how much good calling senators and congresspeople does - my pessimistic side says none, but people I trust who have worked in DC say some - but it can't hurt for you westerners to make your disgust known. I imagine it especially helps if you share a party with the representative. I've let my three direct reps know, though my house rep will vote for it and for both senators, this particular issue would be something to trade away. 

 

Anyway, fingers crossed. 

[Augustus]

These enormous bills involve immense horse trading. The sales could easily make it in there. But they could also be taken out. I don't know how much good calling senators and congresspeople does - my pessimistic side says none, but people I trust who have worked in DC say some - but it can't hurt for you westerners to make your disgust known. I imagine it especially helps if you share a party with the representative. I've let my three direct reps know, though my house rep will vote for it and for both senators, this particular issue would be something to trade away. 

 

Anyway, fingers crossed. 

It's an embarrassment to the country and arguably stains the legacy of anyone voting in favor, even if it doesn't pass. The proposed sales would net $10 billion... that's not paying off the deficit or really even a number worth noting but in exchange results in the complete destruction of our heritage, protected wilderness areas, hundreds to thousands of ranches that use the land for grazing, etc

[RLK1]

"The states potentially affected by the proposal are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming."

 

See the total estimated acreage per state potentially at risk for sale in the article.

 

https://thehill.com/...ompts-backlash/

 

What a nightmare...

[dustyc]

I think it was Will Rogers who quipped "buy land, they're not making any more." 

Ahh, maybe they are. 

[Shubham]

This country, as I see it, has grown within itself a deep insatiable thirst for self sabotage. But who knows, I may be wrong.

[RLK1]

"...the parcels purchased for housing “would carry no requirements for affordability or density, and there would be no significant guardrails to prevent valued public lands from being sold for trophy homes, pricey vacation spots, exclusive golf communities, or other developments.”"

 

"As the Wilderness Society warned, letting this provision pass “sets up a precedent to quickly liquidate huge chunks of America’s treasured lands in the future whenever politicians have a pet project to pay for.” In this case, it would entail “disposing” of untouched nature in favor of newly built McMansions and second homes that their wealthy owners can afford with their newly boosted bank accounts."

 

https://www.msnbc.co...-off-rcna213763

[bunyon]

https://x.com/Andrew...339661611073624

It’s a tweet but if it stands up, it’s good news (sorry for the political opinion) and Augustus would be proved right.

[FirstSight]

At least 2 US senators from the same party as the fellow proposing the land sale have now indicated they will refuse to vote for the bill

That is an essential start, but we need 4 to stop it. Hopefully two more will step forward.

[RLK1]

https://x.com/Andrew...339661611073624

It’s a tweet but if it stands up, it’s good news (sorry for the political opinion) and Augustus would be proved right.

This is certainly welcome news, and the senate parliamentarian has "ruled against language in the bill to mandate the sale of millions of acres of federal public land by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service." :

 

https://thehill.com/...g-gop-megabill/

 

However, we'll have to wait and see if the senate "leadership" attempts to override it

[RLK1]

This is certainly welcome news, and the senate parliamentarian has "ruled against language in the bill to mandate the sale of millions of acres of federal public land by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service." :

 

https://thehill.com/...g-gop-megabill/

 

However, we'll have to wait and see if the senate "leadership" attempts to override it

The latest:

 

"The Senate’s parliamentarian ruled against a provision championed by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that would have sold off millions of acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land in up to 11 states.

Lee, in a post on the social platform X, said he would revamp the plan. The new legislation will still sell off land owned by the Bureau of Land Management — but not that owned by the Forest Service.

He also said he would “SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE” the amount of land in the bill, limiting it only to lands within 5 miles of a population center."

 

https://thehill.com/...ill-rejections/

[mountain monk]

Great news!!! But we’ll see.. I trust them as far as I can spit a brick.

 

Jack

[RLK1]

The latest:

 

"The Senate’s parliamentarian ruled against a provision championed by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that would have sold off millions of acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land in up to 11 states.

Lee, in a post on the social platform X, said he would revamp the plan. The new legislation will still sell off land owned by the Bureau of Land Management — but not that owned by the Forest Service.

He also said he would “SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE” the amount of land in the bill, limiting it only to lands within 5 miles of a population center."

 

https://thehill.com/...ill-rejections/

However:

 

https://www.npr.org/...-of-forest-land

[FirstSight]

The term "population center" is a potential weasel-word - somewhere like Salt Lake City is what leaps to mind, but what would be the lower limit on density or total population be, and what would the effective boundaries of the "population center" be from which a further 5 miles distance would also be included?   There's lots of tiny settlements scattered throughout the Western US that are adjacent to BLM land that could be "population centers" unless the term is more specifically defined.

[RLK1]

The term "population center" is a potential weasel-word - somewhere like Salt Lake City is what leaps to mind, but what would be the lower limit on density or total population be, and what would the effective boundaries of the "population center" be from which a further 5 miles distance would also be included?   There's lots of tiny settlements scattered throughout the Western US that are adjacent to BLM land that could be "population centers" unless the term is more specifically defined.

Well, I guess we'll find out when senator Mike Lee tells what "FREEDOM ZONES" are...

 

"Lee added he would seek to establish “FREEDOM ZONES to ensure these lands benefit AMERICAN FAMILIES.” "He did not say what that entails."

 

https://thehill.com/...op-budget-bill/

[mountain monk]

Alas, unfortunately, Senator Lee is back with a proposal to sell BLM lands close to cities. Locals are again enraged because some BLM lands are along the Snake River in Jackson, mainly along a dike that is one of the most popular walks, runs, dog heavens—no leashes—used 365 day a year. Lee pushes the sales as for “affordable housing.” Surely you jest, Senator. McMansions will line the river the their usual flood of lights. Yuck.

 

Jack

[Augustus]

https://x.com/senmik...8605388207?s=46

It’s over. Mike Lee has given up

[RLK1]

https://x.com/senmik...8605388207?s=46

It’s over. Mike Lee has given up

It appears so, but, like Yogi Berra once said, "it's not over until it's over":

 

"But, the Utah Republican indicated in his post on Saturday that he would work with President Trump to find uses for what he described as “underutilized” lands."

 

https://thehill.com/...-from-megabill/

 

One can probably have a pretty good idea of what those uses might be and conservation isn't likely going to be one of them...

[JayinUT]

I live in Utah and followed this closely. Wrote letters to my senators and representative and informed them if they voted for it they would lose my vote. Had 25 other friends from ATVers, fishermen, hikers and astro buddies write in the same. So GLAD it failed this time but . . . . 

 

Expect it to come back again later . . . .  I have a good idea living in Utah what this meant . . . . develop, develop, develop and as Jack says it isn't for you and I to benefit . . . If you love the outdoors for any reason people should watch and share their opinion. I listen to a piece on Senator Lee (not a fan of him) and it seems IF he stays true to his position from 2020, he will not seek re-election in 2028 and may move unto to something else that is even more lucrative for him. Be diligent with this is all I'll say.