🏞️ Our Public Lands Are Under Threat — Here's What You Need to Know

Utah's public lands are at the heart of our way of life—providing space for recreation, conservation, cultural heritage, and economic opportunity. But right now, that land is under threat from proposed federal legislation that would open millions of acres to private sale and development.

The House Proposal: A Close Call

Earlier this year, a budget amendment introduced in the U.S. House aimed to sell off over 500,000 acres of public land in Utah and neighboring Nevada. This included parcels near Zion National Park and other environmentally sensitive areas. The amendment passed out of committee but sparked immediate backlash. Thanks to a bipartisan push—including from lawmakers concerned about conservation, recreation, and local economies—the proposal was stripped from the final budget bill.

The Senate Proposal: A Bigger Threat

Just weeks later, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a Senate bill that goes even further. His proposal would mandate the sale of 2–3 million acres of federal public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. While national parks would be excluded, the bill could impact areas adjacent to popular outdoor destinations, such as the Wasatch Front, Snowbird, and Alta, as well as regions rich in wildlife and cultural significance.

The bill frames the sell-off as a means to promote local control and economic development, but critics point out the lack of clear restrictions on what the land could be used for—and the long-term environmental, recreational, and cultural losses that could follow.

What’s at Stake

If passed, these proposals could:

• Fragment wildlife corridors and natural habitats

• Limit public access to cherished hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping areas

• Undermine tribal sovereignty and cultural sites

• Reduce oversight for development in fire-prone and ecologically fragile regions

  
  

Public lands aren’t just empty space—they are held in trust for the benefit of all Americans. These efforts to sell them off amount to a short-sighted cash grab with long-term consequences.

What You Can Do

🗣 Call Your Representatives: Urge them to oppose any legislation that mandates the sale of public lands, and support bills that strengthen federal conservation protections.

🏛️ Contact U.S. Senator Mike Lee

📍Salt Lake City Office: Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building125 South State St, Suite 4225Salt Lake City, UT 84138📞 801‑524‑5933

📍Washington, D.C. Office: 363 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510📞 202‑224‑5444

📬 Contact Form: lee.senate.gov/contact

🏛️ Contact U.S. Senator John R. Curtis

📍Washington, D.C. OfficeSH‑502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510📞 202‑224‑5251

📍Salt Lake City Office125 South State St, Suite 8402Salt Lake City, UT 84138📞 801‑524‑4380

📝 Share Your Opinion: curtis.senate.gov/share-your-opinion

🏛️ Contact Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox

📍Office of the Governor350 North State St, Suite 200Salt Lake City, UT 84114‑2220📞 801‑538‑1000 or 800‑705‑2464

📬 Contact Form: https://governor.utah.gov/contact

🌲 Join or Support Local Advocacy Groups: Groups like Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and Save Our Canyons are leading the fight to protect public lands. Donate, sign petitions, or attend local events to get involved.

📰 Raise Awareness: Write a letter to the editor, share facts on social media, or speak out at a public meeting. Help others understand what’s at stake.

📲 Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest developments by subscribing to our newsletter or following reputable conservation news outlets.

📚 Resources & Links

• Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA): www.suwa.org

• Save Our Canyons: www.saveourcanyons.org

• BLM Utah Land Information: www.blm.gov/utah

• Contact your U.S. Senators & Representatives: www.congress.gov/members

• Public Lands News & Analysis (Washington Post): Read Article

• AP News on Land Sale Proposals: Read Article