Halt the Senate’s Massive Public Land Disposal Scheme

Oppose the Sale of Public Lands I urge you to stand firmly against the Senate proposal to sell off millions of acres of our public lands across 11 Western states. The plan would mandate the sale of 2.2 to 3.3 million acres and deem more than 250 million acres “eligible” for future disposal. This represents one of the largest public land divestments in U.S. history—and it is unacceptable. Reject “Eligibility” Framing for Land Disposal Labeling lands as “eligible” for sale is a dangerous rhetorical sleight of hand. These are not surplus properties—they are taxpayer-owned forests, mountains, and wildlife corridors that belong to all of us. Once sold, they are lost forever. The eligibility designation is simply a precursor to privatization, inviting outside developers to displace public access and local stewardship. Protect Public Access, Ecology, and Fire Resilience Many of these lands are critical for recreation, biodiversity, fire mitigation, and the health of our climate. In places like California and Oregon, “eligible” zones include cherished public spaces like Eagle Creek, Larch Mountain, and regions near Yosemite and Big Sur. Much of this land is rugged, remote, or fire-prone—poorly suited to the housing rationale being used to justify their liquidation. Uphold the Integrity of the Public Trust This proposal threatens to undermine public trust in how federal lands are managed. It excludes national parks but targets national monuments and other valuable lands with little transparency or scientific basis. While local governments may have a “right of first refusal,” they lack the resources to compete with private buyers. This tilts the playing field in favor of profit, not people. I strongly urge you to oppose this provision in any final legislative package. Public lands must not be sacrificed to short-term revenue schemes or disguised giveaways. They are a vital part of our national heritage, and their protection is your duty.