Public ,Land Heist - Contact your Representatives

[swanny]

It's happening, our lands are on the brink of being sold and possibly you and I locked out.

https://wilderness.org/blog/their-plan-working-new-bill-would-sell-3-million-acres-public-lands

[pianoman9701]

I'd like to find out who's interested in buying this land and what financial connection they may have with the legislators who voted for the bill allowing the government to sell and who will end up OK-ing the sales. I have a feeling there's a lot of campaign money involved in this move.

[lee]

I'd like to find out who's interested in buying this land and what financial connection they may have with the legislators who voted for the bill allowing the government to sell and who will end up OK-ing the sales. I have a feeling there's a lot of campaign money involved in this move.

PianoMan: Not sure about the financial connection but Google "Wilks brothers". The are ultra rich Texans who are buying up mega ranches all over the West and turning them into high $ hunting Reserves. Also, check out Ted Turner,... he owns more land than 3 Rhode Islands!!!!!

These are the type of folks who would be buying up former Federal land.

Lee

[JasonG]

This serious Ladies and Gentlemen we need to stop in fighting hunters, trappers, hikers,mountain bikers, fishermen etc.. if we join forces organize we will be heard!!

[WAcoyotehunter]

This serious Ladies and Gentlemen we need to stop in fighting hunters, trappers, hikers,mountain bikers, fishermen etc.. if we join forces organize we will be heard!!

absolutely.

[JLS]

Here is what you can do.  Look up your representative here:

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Call them and have the following conversations.  Personalize them, if you've hunted or visited the states that will be most affected (Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico) then TELL them.  TELL them you are a hunter, your family hunts, and you want your children to have a place to hunt.  TELL them you value the legacy of public lands and the opportunity it provides.  If you want management to change TELL them.  Hunters are pathetic at making their voices heard.  Let's be better about that.

If you are FROM any of the Committee Member’s Districts:

 I’m _____, a constituent of Congressman/woman ______. I am calling in regards to HR 621. The public lands in our district are incredibly important and the loss of these public lands would be devastating for our local and state economies. The Department of the Interior estimates that $16.9 billion is spent in local economies across the country from people visiting national lands and over $600 billion in benefits to the outdoor community. I urge Congressman/woman ____ to vote against HR621 to keep much needed revenue and jobs in our communities.

If you are from OUTSIDE the Committee Member’s Districts:

 I am calling Congressman/woman ____ regarding HR621. I am concerned about the loss of public lands in the State of ____. (Optional: [My family and] I have visited _____ (location in state), we very much enjoyed the national lands that your state had to offer.) I urge your to vote against HR621 to ensure your communities and state continue to reap the many benefits, including a portion of $16.9 billion spent in local economies by people visiting national lands.

While you're at it, send a message to the House Natural Resources Committee here:

https://naturalresources.house.gov/contact/

Rob Bishop is the chair, and is not friendly to public lands.  Be polite, and remind him that public lands are a valuable legacy for all of us, and in particular those of us in the west.  Also, remind him that Congress has the ability to greatly influence management and that he is free to do so.  Getting rid of the land to fix the problem is stupid.

[JLS]

I'd like to find out who's interested in buying this land and what financial connection they may have with the legislators who voted for the bill allowing the government to sell and who will end up OK-ing the sales. I have a feeling there's a lot of campaign money involved in this move.

Look up the American Lands Council.

http://www.americanlandscouncil.org/

[scottr]

Admins, why is this not stickied on the most prevalent board (virtual campfire) for as many people to see? Give. The broad coalition of hunting groups fighting this, this goes beyond left/right politics and is a direct threat to our hunting & fishing heritage.

http://sportsmensaccess.org

[Bob33]

https://thinkprogress.org/state-efforts-to-reclaim-our-public-lands-traced-to-koch-fueled-alec-24e01d7b9f50?gi=a9afd7df94c2

[swanny]

Admins, why is this not stickied on the most prevalent board (virtual campfire) for as many people to see? Give. The broad coalition of hunting groups fighting this, this goes beyond left/right politics and is a direct threat to our hunting & fishing heritage.

http://sportsmensaccess.org

It was in the main forum but they moved it. As you said it's far beyond left vs right, hunter vs tree hugger. This effects everyone that enjoys the outdoors and all need to get and stay involved to ensure my kids, your kids, and their kids still are able to enjoy what we do today

[JasonG]

Admins, why is this not stickied on the most prevalent board (virtual campfire) for as many people to see? Give. The broad coalition of hunting groups fighting this, this goes beyond left/right politics and is a direct threat to our hunting & fishing heritage.

http://sportsmensaccess.org

It was in the main forum but they moved it. As you said it's far beyond left vs right, hunter vs tree hugger. This effects everyone that enjoys the outdoors and all need to get and stay involved to ensure my kids, your kids, and their kids still are able to enjoy what we do today

Damn straight

[jackelope]

Lengthy discussion on this subject here about it. It seems not everyone on here sees eye to eye on this topic.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=207396

[scottr]

Lengthy discussion on this subject here about it. It seems not everyone on here sees eye to eye on this topic.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=207396

All I see in that thread is one guy with weak arguments about logging and bunny huggers.

HR 621 is real. 3.3 million acres getting sold to the highest bidder. It's not a land transfer to states, it's a flat out sale to private entities.

[Special T]

Lengthy discussion on this subject here about it. It seems not everyone on here sees eye to eye on this topic.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=207396

All I see in that thread is one guy with weak arguments about logging and bunny huggers.

HR 621 is real. 3.3 million acres getting sold to the highest bidder. It's not a land transfer to states, it's a flat out sale to private entities.

This article is different than land transfer to the states. My weak arguments apply in Washington.  I don't know the political ramifications in other states.

[scottr]

From this Men's Journal article here are some of the public lands proposed for sale. Again, this is not land transferred to the states but for sale to whomever can write the biggest check, be it a state, corporation, or wealthy private citizen.

http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/articles/public-land-for-sale-here-are-some-of-the-33-million-acres-being-eyed-for-disposal-w463372

State: Wyoming

County: Sheridan

The Potential Land: 35,200 acres of BLM-managed land in the Powder River Basin, which is just east of the Bighorn Mountains, popular with hikers, campers, horseback riders, and hunters.

State: Wyoming

County: Park

The Potential Land: 27,300 acres surrounding the Shoshone River, a popular fly-fishing stream in northern Wyoming. Most of the BLM-managed land in Park County is downstream of the town of Cody, which sits between the Big Horn, Owl Creek, Bridger, and Absaroka mountain ranges. Tourism is the town’s primary industry.

State: Oregon

County: Harney

The Potential Land: 44,000 acres in a county that’s home to Steens Mountain, a 9,733-foot peak that’s popular with campers and hunters, and Malheur National Forest.

State: New Mexico

County: Catron

The Potential Land: 25,000 acres that contain “cultural resources,” meaning it’s probably home to pueblo ruins. The land is most likely a giant tract southwest of the town of Quemado, and some of the land abuts the Gila National Forest, home to the endangered Mexican gray wolf, the Gila trout, and some of the best elk hunting in the U.S.

State: Colorado

County: Montrose

The Potential Land: 2,105 acres that is home to endangered species and “historic/cultural resources.” The surrounding area contains the Gunnison Gorge, famous for its rafting and fly-fishing trips, and Uncompahgre National Forest, which is home to elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.

State: Nevada

County: Elko

The Potential Land: 208,900 acres that contains endangered species, historic resources, and is home to “wetlands/floodplain.” BLM-managed land makes up a giant percentage of land in Elko County, but exactly what land is up for consideration is unclear, or what the effects might be.

State: Arizona

County: Mohave

The Potential Land: 23,525 acres with mining claims and historic resources. A comment attached to the description notes that the land is “classified as habitat for the Desert Tortoise (a sensitive species).”

Total Acres That Could Be Up For Sale, By State:

Arizona: 453,950

Colorado: 93,741

Idaho: 110,022

Montana: 94,520

Nebraska: 6,615

Nevada: 898,460

New Mexico: 813,531

Oregon: 70,308

Utah: 132,931

Wyoming: 694,200

[scottr]

Another article here.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/house-bill-would-sell-33-million-acres-federal-public-land#page-2

Again why isn't this a stickied post on the virtual campfire for everyone to see? 

Here is the statement from Sen Chaffetz in Utah who is pushing this:

You can leave comments (via Facebook) on his page and tell him our lands are not for sale to fat cat billionaires

http://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=788

Chaffetz Introduces Land Management Bills

“It’s time to get rid of the BLM and US Forest Service police”

Washington, Jan 24, 2017
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) released the following statement after reintroducing two bills dealing with the 67 percent of the State of Utah that is under federal ownership.
 
“It’s time to get rid of the BLM and US Forest Service police. If there is a problem your local sheriff is the first and best line of defense. By restoring local control in law enforcement, we enable federal agencies and county sheriffs to each focus on their respective core missions.

“The long overdue disposal of excess federal lands will free up resources for the federal government while providing much-needed opportunities for economic development in struggling rural communities.”
 
Bill Details:
H.R. 622, Local Enforcement for Local Lands Act, first introduced last year, removes the law enforcement function from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service. Instead, the bill calls for deputizing local law enforcement, combined with block grant funding, to empower existing duly elected law enforcement offices to carry out these responsibilities. The bill, jointly sponsored by Utah’s Rep. Mia Love and Rep. Chris Stewart, also establishes a formula to reimburse local law enforcement based on the percentage of public land in each state. 
 
H.R. 621, Disposal of Excess Federal Lands Act, calls for the responsible disposal of 3.3 million acres of land identified by the Clinton Administration as being suitable for sale to non-federal entities. Encompassing just over one percent of total BLM land and less than half of one percent of all federal lands, these lands have been deemed to serve no purpose for taxpayers.  In Utah, some 132,931 acres of land are eligible for disposal.

[jackelope]

[JLS]

Thank you to all who stepped up and contacted your D.C. Reps.  I guarantee he withdrew this because of the hornets nest he kicked.

This will resurface again.

[scottr]

AMERICA! F YEAH!

The battle was won but the war will continue. Thanks for sharing that awesome news Jackelope!

[bracer40]

Yes! Glad this battle's won. But this isn't over.

[wsmnut]

This is good news!  But that weasel will be back.  Or one just like him.

[pianoman9701]

From the website: "UPDATE: Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced in a post on Instagram that he is withdrawing the land selloff bill. The news follows many comments and calls to Congress from our supporters and other conservationists. Thank you!"