June 23, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: A dangerous amendment has been inserted into the Senate version of HR 1 the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Senators Lee, Utah, and Daines, Montana, propose mandating the sale of up to three million acres of our public lands.
These lands belong to all of us. Folks of all political perspectives hunt, fish, recreate, view wildlife, camp, hike, backpack, and find solace in the great outdoors of America’s public lands. These lands drive economies all over the country. They provide habitat for wildlife. They are a legacy that represents the soul of America.
About 250,000,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands in 11 western states have been identified as being eligible for sale.
Please let Senators Kaine and Warner know that our lands are not for sale. They belong to the American people. LAURANEALE Fairfield
