Senate Bill that threatened 27 million acres of land in Washington and Idaho has been found to violate Senate rules for the moment, however there are plans for a revision
On June 11 the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee introduced a draft budget reconciliation bill that included a deeply concerning public lands provision. The bill mandated that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sell two to three million acres of public land over the next five years. It also made 250 million acres – nearly all federally managed Forest Service and BLM lands in 11 Western states – eligible for sale.
Although currently struck down as of June 24, proponents of the sale are expected to come back with revisions.
States impacted and originally included in the bill were Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, and Alaska. In Washington and Idaho alone, more than 27 million acres were potentially at risk.
The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy stands firmly opposed to the proposed selling of our public lands. Legislation such as this, represents an unprecedented threat to public access, ecosystem health, and the future of our region’s landscapes.
The lands that would have been eligible for sale included:
- Local recreation areas where Washingtonians and Idahoans hunt, fish, hike, camp, and boat
- Wilderness study areas and inventoried roadless areas that support clean air, healthy watersheds, and biodiversity
- Critical wildlife habitat and big game migration corridors, which are essential to the survival of elk, mule deer, and countless bird species
- Historic and cultural sites, some sacred to Indigenous communities
In Eastern Washington and North Idaho, this would have put lands like Colville National Forest, the Selkirk Mountains, the St. Joe River corridor, and BLM lands near Spokane and Coeur d’Alene at risk – places beloved by generations for outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, and natural beauty.
The lands contribute substantially to our overall quality of life by providing access to outdoor recreation – including hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and hunting – and supporting healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and critical wildlife habitat. They also sustain rural livelihoods and small businesses, particularly those tied to tourism, ranching, guiding, and recreation, which are vital to our regional economy.
Although the bill has been promoted as a response to the housing crisis, studies show that very little land managed by the BLM or USFS is suitable for residential development. The legislation also includes no safeguards to ensure that sold lands will be used for affordable housing.
What can you do? Contact your Senators today and urge them to take a strong stand against public land sales. Check out the template letter below and ask them to:
- Strip any land sale provision from the final bill
- Hold public hearings
- Protect our public lands that help define our way of life
What’s next? Supporters of the provision are looking to revise and reintroduce the legislation. Learn more and view the original proposed public land sale map.
____________________________________________________________________
Contact Your Senators – Template Letter
Subject: Please Oppose Any Future Attempt to Sell Off Our Public Lands
Dear Senator [Last Name],
As your constituent and someone who deeply values our nation’s public lands, I’m writing to thank you for your attention to the recent public land sale provision and to urge your continued opposition should similar proposals return.
The provision, which was recently struck down, would have mandated the sale of two to three million acres of federal public land over the next five years and made an additional 250 million acres – nearly all USFS and BLM-managed lands in 11 Western states – eligible for sale. In Washington and Idaho alone, over 27 million acres were at risk.
These lands include:
- Beloved recreation areas where families hike, camp, fish, and hunt
- Critical wildlife habitat and migration corridors
- Sacred cultural sites and public watersheds that support clean air and drinking water
- Rural landscapes that sustain local economies and small businesses
While the proposal has been temporarily halted, it is expected to be revised and reintroduced. I urge you to oppose any future effort to revive this public land sell-off, especially without meaningful public input, transparency, or safeguards.
I respectfully ask you to:
- Oppose any renewed effort to include a public land disposal provision in future bills
- Call for public hearings and robust debate on any proposal involving the sale of public lands
- Stand firm in defense of the public lands that belong to all Americans
Public lands define the character of the Inland Northwest and much of the American West. They are vital for our ecosystems, communities, and quality of life – and must be protected for generations to come.
Thank you for your time, service, and leadership.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[City, State]
[Optional: Phone Number or Email]
