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Utah Senator Mike Lee is determined to get public land sales in the federal budget reconciliation bill despite widespread backlash from communities, hunters, ranchers, and members of his own party.
On Monday, the Senate Parliamentarian—a nonpartisan advisor who ensures parliamentary procedures and rules are being followed—ruled out Lee's original plan to sell off up to 3.2 million acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land across the West.
Instead of accepting the ruling, Lee said he is working on a revised plan. Though he has not officially released an updated proposal, Lee said U.S. Forest Service land will no longer be included. BLM land within 5 miles of “population centers” will still be eligible, even though a majority of national public lands near communities are at greater risk of wildfire.
“Western voters have made it clear time and again that they want to protect public lands and they do not support selling America’s public lands to private developers," said Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala. “If Senator Lee or his anti-public lands allies try to bring it back in any form, they will discover the backlash is just as severe.”
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I’m proud to say I’ve worn out two compasses, something that never could have happened behind the Midwest’s fences.”
