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From ski resorts to popular trails, see the public land Mike Lee proposes selling across the West

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Sen. Mike Lee wants to sell 2 million acres of public land to benefit the wealthy

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U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) included a provision in the GOP's budget reconciliation bill requiring the sale or transfer of at least 2.2 million acres and up to 3.3 million acres of federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across 11 Western states.

U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) included a provision in the GOP's budget reconciliation bill requiring the sale or transfer of at least 2.2 million acres and up to 3.3 million acres of federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across 11 Western states.

The proposal directs federal agencies to sell between 0.5% and 0.75% of their land holdings, with sales targeting "isolated parcels" that could be used for housing or infrastructure development, excluding national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas.

The proposal directs federal agencies to sell between 0.5% and 0.75% of their land holdings, with sales targeting "isolated parcels" that could be used for housing or infrastructure development, excluding national parks, monuments, and wilderness areas.

Analysis by The Wilderness Society found that over 250 million acres of public land across Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming meet the criteria for potential sale under the legislation.</span

Analysis by The Wilderness Society found that over 250 million acres of public land across Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming meet the criteria for potential sale under the legislation.

The measure faces opposition from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, with Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke leading efforts to strip land sales from the House version and calling himself a "hard no" on such legislation.</span

The measure faces opposition from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, with Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke leading efforts to strip land sales from the House version and calling himself a "hard no" on such legislation.

Conservation groups and outdoor recreation advocates have criticized the proposal as a betrayal that would set precedent for fast-tracking land transfers to developers, while supporters argue it would boost housing development and local economic growth.</span

Conservation groups and outdoor recreation advocates have criticized the proposal as a betrayal that would set precedent for fast-tracking land transfers to developers, while supporters argue it would boost housing development and local economic growth.

Polling data suggests majority opposition to public land sales. This includes an April poll from Trust for Public that found 61% of Trump voters and 85% of Harris voters oppose it, and a recent Co/efficient poll that found 65% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats oppose it.

Polling data suggests majority opposition to public land sales. This includes an April poll from Trust for Public that found 61% of Trump voters and 85% of Harris voters oppose it, and a recent Co/efficient poll that found 65% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats oppose it.

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Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee included a provision in the GOP's budget reconciliation bill requiring the sale or transfer of at least 2.2 million acres and up to 3.3 million acres of federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across 11 Western states.</span

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee included a provision in the GOP's budget reconciliation bill requiring the sale or transfer of at least 2.2 million acres and up to 3.3 million acres of federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across 11 Western states.

The proposal directs federal agencies to sell between 0.5% and 0.75% of their land holdings, with sales targeting "isolated parcels" that could be used for housing or infrastructure development, excluding national parks, monuments and wilderness areas.</span

The proposal directs federal agencies to sell between 0.5% and 0.75% of their land holdings, with sales targeting "isolated parcels" that could be used for housing or infrastructure development, excluding national parks, monuments and wilderness areas.

Polling data shows 71% of Americans oppose public land sales, including 61% of Trump voters and 85% of Harris voters, indicating bipartisan public opposition to the measure despite its inclusion in the Republican budget package.</span

Polling data shows 71% of Americans oppose public land sales, including 61% of Trump voters and 85% of Harris voters, indicating bipartisan public opposition to the measure despite its inclusion in the Republican budget package.

This proposal represents smart policy that gets Washington out of the way of local communities trying to grow. Federal bureaucrats have proven time and again they can't properly manage these lands, while local control would unlock housing opportunities and economic development. The sales would only target isolated, underused parcels - not beloved parks or wilderness areas - and would generate revenue while putting land to productive use.

This proposal represents smart policy that gets Washington out of the way of local communities trying to grow. Federal bureaucrats have proven time and again they can't properly manage these lands, while local control would unlock housing opportunities and economic development. The sales would only target isolated, underused parcels - not beloved parks or wilderness areas - and would generate revenue while putting land to productive use.

Utah Republican proposes sale of more than 2 million acres of US lands

Selling off America's public lands to fund tax cuts for the wealthy betrays future generations and threatens places where families hunt, fish and recreate. This scheme would hand over cherished landscapes to developers and create dangerous precedent for more land grabs. These aren't just "isolated parcels" - they're integral parts of ecosystems and recreation areas that drive Western economies and represent our shared heritage.

Selling off America's public lands to fund tax cuts for the wealthy betrays future generations and threatens places where families hunt, fish and recreate. This scheme would hand over cherished landscapes to developers and create dangerous precedent for more land grabs. These aren't just "isolated parcels" - they're integral parts of ecosystems and recreation areas that drive Western economies and represent our shared heritage.

Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg/Getty Images

GOP Senator Proposes Selling 2M+ Acres of Federal Land

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Selling 0.5% of federal land, a tiny fraction of America's vast landscape, would raise revenue and spur economic growth. The plan targets unused land, excludes parks, and prioritizes development-friendly areas. Private owners would invest in these parcels, unlike the government’s poor stewardship. With 258 million acres available, selling 3.3 million is a modest step to unlock potential.

Selling 0.5% of federal land, a tiny fraction of America's vast landscape, would raise revenue and spur economic growth. The plan targets unused land, excludes parks, and prioritizes development-friendly areas. Private owners would invest in these parcels, unlike the government’s poor stewardship. With 258 million acres available, selling 3.3 million is a modest step to unlock potential.

Federal Land Sale Congress Tax Bill Mike Lee Ryan Zinke E3E4837F

Selling 250 million acres of public land will kill America's natural treasures for minimal gain. It's a giveaway to the wealthy, not a housing fix. The revenue also won't offset massive tax cuts. The Republicans proposing it aren't even true conservatives, because if they were, they'd agree with Teddy Roosevelt, who prioritized preserving nature's beauty over short-term profits.

Selling 250 million acres of public land will kill America's natural treasures for minimal gain. It's a giveaway to the wealthy, not a housing fix. The revenue also won't offset massive tax cuts. The Republicans proposing it aren't even true conservatives, because if they were, they'd agree with Teddy Roosevelt, who prioritized preserving nature's beauty over short-term profits.

There is a 9% chance that any "Freedom Cities" will be built in the United States on federal land before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 9% chance that any "Freedom Cities" will be built in the United States on federal land before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

GOP Senator Proposes Selling 2M+ Acres of Federal Land

GOP Senator Proposes Selling 2M+ Acres of Federal Land

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GOP Senator Proposes Selling 2M+ Acres of Federal Land

GOP Senator Proposes Selling 2M+ Acres of Federal Land

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