1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose any legislation that would require, encourage, or facilitate the sale of federal public lands. Public lands are one of America's greatest assets. Once they are sold, they are often gone from public ownership permanently. Future generations lose access, local communities lose recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat becomes fragmented, and taxpayers lose resources that took decades or centuries to assemble. I understand the argument that selling public land can generate short-term revenue or address specific local issues. However, selling irreplaceable public assets to solve temporary budget problems is rarely a good long-term bargain. If a family sold off part of its home every time money was tight, eventually there would be nothing left. The same principle applies here. Public lands support hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation that millions of Americans enjoy each year. They also support local economies, especially in rural communities that depend on tourism and recreation spending. These benefits continue year after year, while the proceeds from a land sale are collected only once. I am not opposed to responsible land management, conservation projects, or carefully considered land exchanges that serve a clear public purpose. What I oppose is the broad disposal of public lands that belong to all Americans. Whether someone approaches this issue from a conservation perspective, a fiscal stewardship perspective, or simply a belief that future generations should have the same opportunities we do today, the conclusion is the same: public lands should remain public. I respectfully ask that you oppose any proposal that would result in large-scale sales of federal public lands and support policies that maintain public access and responsible stewardship of these lands.