All I Want for Christmas Is Public Land Preservation
Sneaky bills, private meetings, and corrupt restructuring attempts going on right now.
While everyone is busy trimming their Christmas trees, some politicians are busy trying to harvest them from our national parks and forests.
We need all hands on deck as lawmakers try to sneak in a barrage of last-minute legislation that, if successful, would degrade our public land for decades to come. The attempt is truly Scrooge-worthy, and undermines everything we stand for as Americans.
This holiday season, give yourself and your community the gift of preservation. Speak up, be loud, and don’t take no for an answer.
Here’s where the fight is happening right now:
Utah: The Epicenter
Disgraceful Utah Senator Mike Lee is back at his relentless goal to break apart and profit from our public lands. I don’t know where he gets this misaligned vision of public service, but it is clear that he is truly invested in it. Right now, he and his state are spearheading at least three scandalous efforts to shortchange constituents—setting dangerous precedents for the rest of the country.
1. Bills to hand off national park lands
Earlier today, Sen. Lee led a Senate Energy Committee meeting to mark up legislation that would give away 24 acres of national forest land to the ski resort town of Brian Head, Utah.
The vote passed in the committee 11-9, sending it to the Senate floor. If the bill were enacted, the land would not be protected and with the language included, could be sold off to private entities for their personal gain.
Additionally, Sen. Lee is pushing for his newly introduced Amendment #3972 to be passed right away. If this were passed, it would remove language from the appropriations bill stipulating that the federal government must maintain national parks as federal lands.
Conservationists are rightly against these moves and are worried about the way in which they set a precedent and lay the groundwork for development of public land.
Contact your Senators immediately, and tell them you want them to shut it down.
2. Mining in Book Cliffs
Along the same lines, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is trying—for the third time—to sell off lands in the protected Book Cliffs for private development. The land is home to beautiful scenery and waterways that are full of wildlife.
Despite a flimsy environmental review that failed to follow current land transfer laws, some parcels were already sold in September. Now, they’re coming for more. Land advocates are pressing the public to submit comments to the BLM for this proposal by its January 2nd deadline.
3. A secret meeting to lessen protections for national parks
Insiders report that state legislators met in a technically legal—but highly questionable— closed-door session to develop policy for federal land management.
With a shocking sense of entitlement, powerful elected and unelected officials submit a list of objections to the National Park Service. It appears to be an attempt to undermine federal authority to manage the land. As usual for Utah, the recommendations ignore best practices in favor of tourism and development.
There is no legislation to oppose, no official action to take here. The precedent is a dangerous one, and follows Utah’s current extractive, take-it-while-you-can mentality enabled by Sen. Lee.
Protest BLM leadership, Sen. Lee, and any local official who took part in creating the outrageously presumptive demands. This can’t stand.
Idaho: Following Suit
Sometimes, when politicians know what they’re doing is wrong, they pretend the outcome is inevitable so their opposition will just give up.
This is the vibe I gleaned from Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher, who proclaims that transfer of federal lands to the state is “inevitable.” His informal declaration sought to put the gears in motion for local entities to wrest control from the BLM, despite having no actual substance to back it up.
In response, residents are speaking up in organized protests, op-eds, and pressure campaigns to their Senators. Tell your elected officials that you are paying attention and demand that our public lands remain under federal control.
At the Top: Trump’s Disgraceful BLM Nomination
All of these local efforts are being supported by “leadership” at the top. Trump’s recent nominee to direct the BLM, former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce is an ardent supporter of transferring public lands into private hands.
Pearce was rebuked by his constituents before, and is a known opponent of land conservation. He is up for a confirmation vote this month. If approved, there is no doubt he will promote Trump’s agenda of opening up our federal land for development. Call and write your Senators to oppose his nomination.
Sealing the Deal with (Mis)Appropriations Bill
Finally, we have to look at how they explain all of this. All efforts to relinquish public lands are strengthened by the argument that federal agencies can “no longer manage them.”
This is clearly a manufactured crisis. After cutting budgets, firing staff, and stressing department resources, Republican politicians have severely weakened our national parks and forests. Last year, the budget for public lands was a detailed 600 pages. This year, it is only 6.
They are purposely using that outcome as rationale to sell off federal land. Call your Reps. and Sens. and tell them to fund our national parks and forests.
Stay encouraged, and be loud.
We know our voices matter. We need to speak up to continue to challenge corruption in our national land management.
With love and hope for the future,
Stephanie
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What response have you received from your political representatives?
What type of pushback do you see necessary or effective where you live?
Lee’s efforts are widely opposed in Utah, where most people value public lands, especially national parks and monuments. He needs to be replaced soon!
Thank you for sharing this information. ✌🏻