On the evening of June 11, 2025, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reintroduced a proposal that could drastically change the way American public lands are used and maintained. This draft of legislation has drawn criticism from both conservationists and others in the Senate alike.
The Proposal
The proposal calls for millions of acres of federal public lands in the western portion of the United States to be sold off. This comes as an amendment to the Republican budget reconciliation bill, or the “Big, Beautiful Bill” that is currently making its way through the Senate. The proposal mandates the “mandatory disposal of Bureau of Land Management land and National Forest System land for housing.” The legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to sell approximately 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Forest System (NFS). It is important to note that the sale of designated national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, and national recreational areas would be prohibited as they are all federally protected, a great sign that at least some environmental safeguards are still holding the line. The land that would be sold would come from 11 eligible western states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Senator Lee argues that the proposal will put “underused” federal land to use for housing, infrastructure, and development. He claims that by doing this, it would help communities better manage growth and decrease inefficiencies in federal land management.
Pushback
Many conservationists and environmental groups have voiced their outrage and disapproval over the proposal. Opponents argue that the bill would certainly undermine many environmental safeguards that have protected public lands for many decades. These include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which is often referred to as the “Magna Carta” of environmental protection laws. This law required the federal government to take into account any environmental impacts of any federal actions before making decisions. If these BLM and NFS lands are sold to private corporations, no such laws can protect any of the habitats. This leads to the next argument which is the clear negative impacts that the proposal would have on endangered species and their habitats. The current number one risk to wildlife in the United States is development through fragmentation and loss of habitat. Many argue that this proposal would certainly contribute to such risks through environmental degradation. Opponents also argue that this sale of public lands would completely undermine the very purpose of having such lands. Since these areas are meant for the public to enjoy and explore, selling them to large development and housing companies would prevent ordinary Americans from having access to outdoor recreation. For example, large portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of America’s most famous and legendary trails, would be for sale. By having parts of the PCT sold off, the legislation would inhibit many people from using an iconic American thru-hiking trail.
As Scott Christensen, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director, put it in a press release about Senator Lee’s proposal:
“Public lands belong to all Americans […] Our national public lands are not a luxury, they’re our legacy. These are outdoor spaces that connect us to each other, fuel the economies of western states, and provide clean drinking water to millions of Americans downstream. Once these lands are sold off, they’re gone forever.”
