1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Public lands are a shared natural resource that provide vital spaces for outdoor recreation, wildlife habitats, and environmental preservation. Selling off millions of acres, as proposed in the Senate's budget bill, would deprive communities of cherished landscapes and disrupt local economies heavily reliant on outdoor tourism and recreation. This rushed sale lacks transparency, bypassing public input and proper environmental review processes. Mountain towns across the Sierra Nevada, from Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes, face severe economic impacts if iconic destinations like ski resorts, hiking trails, and fishing spots are sold to private interests. Public access could be restricted, pristine wilderness areas developed, and wildlife corridors fragmented. Outdoor recreation generates over 70% of Mammoth Lakes' revenue - selling surrounding lands risks crippling the town. This short-sighted proposal values profits over people and fails to consider public lands' invaluable role in our shared natural heritage. I urge you to protect our public lands and reject any measures to privatize millions of acres across the West without full public involvement and environmental scrutiny. These irreplaceable assets belong to all Americans and must be preserved for future generations.