Inland Northwest Land Conservancy Opposes Public Land Sale Proposal

Our Public Lands Are Part of our Identity and Way of Life

Earlier this month, a proposed bill in the U.S. Senate raised major concerns for anyone who cares about public lands. The draft budget reconciliation bill originally included a provision that would’ve required the sale of up to three million acres of federally managed public lands – and made over 250 million more acres eligible for sale. That would’ve included land right here in the Inland Northwest.

Thankfully, the provision was struck down last week after it was ruled out of order on procedural grounds. That’s good news, but the story isn’t over.

What’s Changed?

Proponents have reintroduce a revised version of the proposal – one that’s smaller, but still problematic. The latest version focuses on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – managed land (no longer includes National Forests), requires the sale of 612,500 to 1.2 million acres, and limits eligible land to areas within five miles of a population center.

While this sounds like a smaller impact, it still poses a real risk. BLM lands in eastern Washington and North Idaho could still be sold – places many of us explore, camp, hunt, and enjoy with our families.

We at Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, oppose any effort that threatens the permanent loss of public lands and the many ecological, cultural, and recreational values they provide.

“This represents more than just acres on a map – they’re the rivers we fish, the trails we hike, the forests that filter our air and water, and the places that connect generations of people to nature and to each other,” said Dave Schaub, Executive Director of Inland Northwest Land Conservancy. “We urge lawmakers to protect public lands for the benefit of all, now and in the future.”

Why This Still Matters

Even with the changes, the bill could mean:

• Losing access to places we hike, fish, and camp
• Fragmented wildlife habitat and disrupted migration paths
• Increased risk to clean water and air
• Damage to rural economies that depend on tourism, recreation and open space

And while the bill is being marketed as a way to address housing needs, federal land is not universally suitable for affordable housing and it doesn’t include guarantees that the sold land would be used for that purpose.

What Can You Do?

Speak up and contact your Senators and let them know how you feel about the sale of our public lands.

• Learn more about this issue on our website and oppose any revived land sale provisions
• Call for public hearings and transparent input
• Contact your Senators and urge them to take a strong stand against public land sales