Newest US Senate Land Sale Amendment

[Wildabeest]

My $0.02 as someone who has lived and worked in the I-80 checkerboard for the last 30 years. I don't know anyone, me included, that wants Fed land to be granted to the States with the expressed intent that it all be sold to private entities. I do know a few people that would like for some of it to be sold in order to streamline development (housing, mining, renewable energy, O&G, etc.). By far the majority of folks that I know want it to remain exactly as it is today, public land. Whether that be Federally owned public land or State-owned public land, they do not really care. The only reason they think State transfer might be a good idea is to eliminate the back and forth with Federal Administrations and how they perform their duties on land management. It has almost nothing to do with local offices. But rather how those local offices are directed to act from the Federal Administration. Take the Rock Springs BLM RMP. Local BLM officials and the local community worked hand in glove to develop a RMP option that worked for the businesses that make Rock Springs and Green River anything other than a ghost town. It was the DC based BLM officials that recommended an option that had real and significant impacts to the local community. The Buffalo BLM RMP is much the same only more significant in its impacts. I know for a fact that local BLM officials did not support or recommend these options. I have spoken to them directly. A decade of honest, hard work on the local level, comes crashing down because the National Level had a different desired outcome. For me personally, I want the land to remain in Fed control, and I want it to remain public. But more so I want the Federal Agencies tasked with managing it to have a more consistent management stance. Where I am at, the Biden years set back cooperation between the local community and the Federal agencies. Just as the Bush years did, just on the other side of the coin.

I see directly how the local Federal Offices turn on a dime with a change in Administration. A year ago, I could not get a phone call returned from a certain Federal agency that was stonewalling a proposed project. Since January of 2025, if I call, they answer. Don't always give me the answer I was hoping for but nobody in these local agencies wants to be seen as the person slow walking a Fossil Fuels project. Under the Biden administration, it was the exact opposite, no one wanted to be the one allowing a coal project to proceed. Those that are in favor of transfer to the State, believe this back and forth would stop if the State had control, given that the switch between D and R administrations on a state level are so much less than on a Fed level.

When folks on HT wonder how could anyone in Wyo vote for Rep. Hageman given her stance on Federal Land transfer, what they don't see is her fighting for other things that are important to them. It would be awesome if my only concern was having an easily accessible place to recreate. But myself and many other folks in Wyoming have other things that keep us up at night. And quite honestly Rep. Hageman is a great advocate for many of these concerns. I happen to think that she is wrong on this Amendment and I have voiced this to her directly. I also happen to know that she is an excellent advocate for many other issues that concern and impact me and many others in Wyoming. She will continue to get my vote just as she will continue to hear from me that I think she is wrong on her Federal Land sale/transfer beliefs.

I have seen firsthand BLM land swaps work great and allow for sensible development. I have also seen chunks of BLM land remain as they are with housing development all around. These many times work out great as folks in those areas love having a section of land out their back door they can play on. To come at it with the thought of "not one single acre", is as unrealistic and foolish as "sell it all for American prosperity".

Well said!

 

[jwatts]

I wonder if anyone is capturing all of the media outlets/personalities/influencers and organizations that are fighting this. Having a list may be extremely beneficial in the future.

I'm definitely noting the ones that made, or are still making their living from pimping out hunting on public land but have been radio silent.

 

[WIbiggame]

I wonder if anyone is capturing all of the media outlets/personalities/influencers and organizations that are fighting this. Having a list may be extremely beneficial in the future.

With a TIMELINE of when they joined the fight. People like Randy, Marcus, BHA, The TRCP, Mark Kenyon, MeaterEater (crew) all were at the ground floor of this and deserve a TON of praise.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Reading the draft of his new proposal now. Quick notes of changes I see.

1. Ommits USFS lands, keeps BLM lands.

2. At least .25% and no more than .5%

3. Keeps the same priority considerations, including checkerboards.

4. Made this change - associated infrastructure to support local housing needs. any infrastructure and amenities to support local needs associated with housing.
5. Land with grazing leases cannot be sold.

6. Must be within 5 miles of a population center, with no definition of "population center."

7. Still no limit on number of tracts adjacent landowners can purchase, while everyone else is limited to 2 tracts in a sale.

8. 10% of proceeds, increased from 5% go to -
(A) for hunting, fishing, and recreational amenities on Bureau of Land Management land or National Forest System land, as applicable, in the State in which the tract sold is located; and

(B) to address the deferred maintenance backlog on Bureau of Land Management land in the State in which the tract sold is located.

9. Sunsets September 30, 2034.

Nope. Nope. Nope. Eff Nope.

PDF attached hereto. Hopefully you can download it.

I just found this - orginally this was included.

"(2) Maximum total acreage.—The Secretary concerned shall establish a maximum total
16 acreage of tracts of covered Federal land that a person may purchase under this section."

This section is now struck. Mike Lee's donors are even better off in some ways....

 

[Falcon75]

This fight for public lands will never be over, so long as their exists ideologues such as Lee and his supporters. Yes, if we kill this one, we take a quick victor lap. Even better might be finding ways to leverage the cohesive mass that has risen in the outdoor space and use the momentum to our advantage.

Seems like if we get the win need to turn around and sit down with stakeholders and work out a real plan that would not allow these crazy ideas. To keep and better manage the lands we do have by allowing sales/trades that do make sense for access and continuity ftlfa 2.0 ect. Would any Senator be willing to draft a bill that would do that and stop this crap?

 

[Carnage2011]

Meanwhile here in New Mexico where you and I live our state government privatizes 34% of all of our big game tags. 67% of pronghorn, 45% of elk, 23% of oryx, 22% of deer, and 20% of bighorn tags in New Mexico are privatized. Mostly through transferable private landowner (elk and bighorn) and unlimited private land permits while all public land permits are strictly limited ( pronghorn, deer, oryx, core area Barbary). But also through the blanket 10% outfitter draw set aside.

54.7% of federal BLM + Forest service public land in NM is BLM. Obviously these two agency managed lands are where most of us hunt. So 0.5% of that is .27% of Forest Service plus BLM is currently on the chopping block. If New Mexico tag privatization were to be reduced to “only” ten times that, 2.7% of big game tags instead of the current 34% of tags we would be dancing in the street.

Public land disposal is really bad for hunters. Hunters can’t believe that in DC that they want to transfer ANY of our public land to the uber/rich. But here in New Mexico it would barely register as a rounding error compared to tag privatization with respect to the negative impact on public big game hunting opportunity.

If 0.5% of blm land privatization by federal elected officials is deplorable (it is) then I don’t know what you would call privatization of 34% of our big game tags by New Mexico state elected officials. Satanic?

Don’t ruin a very good and informative thread with your LO tag issues. There’s about 30 other threads you can hop back into for that.

 

[WesternWyoming]

It's edited. Just waiting for his staff to approve. So, hopefully this afternoon.

Randy,
Good job in the interview yesterday! I agree, total BS! Thank you so much for your strong voice.
There will be another protest in Pinedale on Saturday at 9 am on the courthouse lawn. Hope it’s not too late.
Protect and defend our public lands!
Last week 77 people turned out! Over 250 honked in support! That’s amazing for our little town!

 

[Gulf of America]

Seems like if we get the win need to turn around and sit down with stakeholders and work out a real plan that would not allow these crazy ideas. To keep and better manage the lands we do have by allowing sales/trades that do make sense for access and continuity ftlfa 2.0 ect. Would any Senator be willing to draft a bill that would do that and stop this crap?

While Lee may use housing as an excuse, I don't think a more effective/efficient ftlfa will change his deep-held belief that the federal government should not own any land. This crap is what we deal with as long as Lee and others like him remain in office. The "mismanagement" of federal lands is very intentional, as it greases the wheels for convincing the public that disposal is the only option.

 

[Ben Nicholson]

I'm definitely noting the ones that made, or are still making their living from pimping out hunting on public land but have been radio silent.

The ones who have been radio silent bother me big time. I've been sending them messages calling them out. I'll certainly remember who were vocally opposed to this attempted land sale, and those who didn't use their platforms (DU, Matthews Archery, Cabelas, etc...) when it comes time to spend my money. Support those who support you.

 

[FamilyMan]

 

[WIbiggame]

Got this email today nice to see even if it's a canned response and one I knew she would make.

 

[WIbiggame]

This was nice to see too.

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[Nameless Range]

This was nice to see too.

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Zinke just now.

 

[brymoore]

Zinke just now.

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Zinke is right. Fix the problem don’t make it worse.

 

[Oak]

Zinke just now.

View attachment 376140

Just came here to post this. Looks like he supports bigger budgets.

 

[npaden]

Just came here to post this. Looks like he supports bigger budgets.

Or maybe, just maybe we could actually get to where we charge somewhere in the ballpark for industries using public lands. If grazing fees, royalties, etc. are all increased maybe there is a chance the budget might work as is.

Somewhere in the BBB I think is actually the opposite. They are decreasing the royalties being charged for extraction of oil and gas on public lands.

 

[Straight Arrow]

in the BBB I think is actually the opposite. They are decreasing the royalties being charged for extraction of oil and gas on public lands.

And management agencies are losing funding, with programs ending and public lands workers being fired!

 

[Big Fin]

Just got word that Lee’s second language was denied by the Parliamentarian and he has promised to submit a third version.

Continue focusing on your Senators and Senator Thune. House leadership told Thune yesterday afternoon that the Lee language was DOA in the House and to not send that over. That makes Thune the focal point for now.

When I get the next draft of Lee’s BS, I will post it here.

EDIT to this.

What I was told was not completely correct. There was not a denial, rather Lee is offering to submit some more changes to gain compliance. Should have the final ruling this evening.

The call to action is still the same.

 

[Oneye]

Just got word that Lee’s second language was denied by the Parliamentarian and he has promised to submit a third version.

Continue focusing on your Senators and Senator Thune. House leadership told Thune yesterday afternoon that the Lee language was DOA in the House and to not send that over. That makes Thune the focal point for now.

When I get the next draft of Lee’s BS, I will post it here.

He is insufferable.

 

[406dn]

He is insufferable.

You are kind...perhaps too kind.

He certainly marches to a different drummer. That's as nicely as I can put it.