STOP SELLING OFF AMERICA'S PUBLIC LANDS

250 MILLION ACRES ARE AT STAKE

A provision in a new Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee spending and tax cut bill could open more than 250 million acres of U.S. public land—across 11 Western states—for potential sale. While it requires the sale of only 2–3 million acres over five years, the bill identifies hundreds of millions more that could be targeted for sale. These include national forests, wilderness study areas, and wildlife corridors but exclude national parks and congressionally designated wilderness areas.

Critics warn that the bill bypasses public input and grants no first-refusal rights to states, Tribes, or local governments, creating a fast-track system where corporations could acquire federal land. The updated version even allows the sale of federal grazing lands, threatening ranchers and rural economies.

States like Oregon (22 million acres) and California (16 million acres) could see popular outdoor areas—like Larch Mountain, Yosemite, or Big Sur—put up for sale. In Oregon alone, sales could generate up to $10 billion, but only 5% of that amount would be allocated to local governments.

Supporters, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), say it’s about converting “federal liabilities” into land for housing and infrastructure. However, environmental groups call it an unprecedented land grab that could result in permanent loss of public access and critical ecosystems.

The Senate vote is expected around July 4, 2025. Conservationists are urging the public to act now before these lands are lost forever.

Energy & Natural Resources Bill PDF

Senate GOP plan would sell millions of acres of Western public land (The Washington Post, 6-12-25)

250+ million acres of public lands eligible for sale in SENR bill (The Wilderness Society, 6-13-25)

Public Lands For Sale: Outdoor Alliance Map Shows the Extent of Land on the Auction Block (Outdoor Alliance, 6-17-25)

GOP budget plan could trigger sale of Oregon public lands (Axios, 6-17-25)

Controversial senator trying to sell millions of acres near Yosemite, Tahoe (SFGate, 6-17-25)