Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Outcry intensifies over proposed public land sales
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Monday, June 23, 2025
A Bureau of Land Management sign in Utah. Photo by Jeremy T. Dyer, BLM Utah, Flickr ([link removed])

Across the West, people are speaking out ([link removed]) against Utah Senator Mike Lee's proposal to sell off up to 3.2 million acres of public land, which he has attempted to fold into the federal budget reconciliation bill. The provision puts over 100 million acres of national public land at risk ([link removed]) of being sold.

Last Friday, Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo came out against ([link removed]) the provision, adding to the list of GOP lawmakers who oppose public land sales—a list that includes Montana Representative Ryan Zinke, who led an effort ([link removed]) last month to strike down public lands sales from the House version of the reconciliation bill.

Public lands have been trending on social media, including on Instagram, where hunters ([link removed]) , ranchers ([link removed]) , and conservationists ([link removed]) are speaking out against public land sales. The widespread opposition substantiates results of the 2025 Conservation in the West Poll ([link removed]) , which found that 82 percent of Westerners favor ([link removed]) building more housing near existing communities over selling off public lands to develop housing on natural areas.

Mining companies are knocking at the doors of our national parks

In a new episode ([link removed]) of The Landscape podcast, Kate and Aaron talk to experts at the National Parks Conservation Association about illegal mining inside of Mojave National Preserve and a recent uptick in mining claims on public lands, including those near national parks.


** Quick hits
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Congress could sell off millions of acres of public land. Here's what's on the chopping block

9NEWS ([link removed]) , CPR News ([link removed]) [CO] | SFGate ([link removed]) [WY] | SFGate ([link removed]) [CA] | Idaho Statesman ([link removed]) [ID] | Bend Bulletin ([link removed]) [OR] | Arizona's Family ([link removed]) [AZ]

Trump executive order would combine federal wildfire efforts during heat of Western fire season

CPR News ([link removed])

Lawmakers seek to reward oil drillers amid deep cuts to wind and solar

Washington Post ([link removed])

Feds launch mental health network for firefighters

E&E News ([link removed])

Visitors to Colorado historic sites urged to report “negative” information about America, per order

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Opinion: Hageman’s stance on public land sales shows she doesn’t work for Wyoming

WyoFile ([link removed])

Trump admin eyes Mojave Desert groundwater as potential source for arid Arizona

POLITICO ([link removed])

First time in 100 years: Young kayakers on a ride for the ages

New York Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” We're talking about a significant amount of public land that our citizens would lose access to.”

—Lauren Bogard, senior director of advocacy at the Center for Western Priorities, on Senator Mike Lee's proposed public lands selloff. 9NEWS ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@recreation_gov ([link removed])
“Let nature be your teacher.” – William Wordsworth ❤️

From breath-taking wildlife moments to witnessing unique rock formations, hiking to mountain tops and more, there is always something incredible to #Experience ([link removed]) and learn in the natural world. ⭐

📍 Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
📸 Danielle Craig (Share the Experience)

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