1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

The proposed sale of millions of acres of public lands under the Republican budget bill is highly concerning. These lands belong to the American people and should be protected for future generations to enjoy. Selling off vast swaths of our public lands to private interests would limit access for activities like hiking, camping, hunting, and wildlife viewing that are vital to local economies and our way of life. Furthermore, the lands targeted for sale provide crucial habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Developing these areas could have devastating impacts on biodiversity and environmental health. Public lands also play a key role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon. While increasing domestic energy production and housing supply are worthy goals, sacrificing our cherished public lands is not the solution. There must be other ways to address these issues that don't involve privatizing shared natural resources that belong to all Americans. I urge you to oppose any measures that would enable the sale of public lands to private entities. These lands are a treasured part of our national heritage and identity. They must be preserved and protected for current and future generations to responsibly access and enjoy. The conservation of America's great outdoors should be a nonpartisan priority.