Selling roughly 3 million acres of public land to be required by updated budget bill

[John Cooper]

Are you familiar with the 300 miles of trails recently closed by the BLM near Moab that even the state of Utah is trying to reopen? It’s really not difficult to determine who should be in charge of that land.

States right to govern themselves. That's The way it should be.

 

[g.hayduke]

Where did I say it should all go to private ownership?

When you said the government shouldn't own it. That's just a different way of saying the same thing.

 

[g.hayduke]

Are you familiar with the 300 miles of trails recently closed by the BLM near Moab that even the state of Utah is trying to reopen? It’s really not difficult to determine who should be in charge of that land.

So you think Utah has the budget to purchase, manage, and maintain all the BLM land around Moab?

 

[Apparition]

So you think Utah has the budget to purchase, manage, and maintain all the BLM land around Moab?

Our federal government doesn’t have the budget to own it so that’s not a great argument.

 

[Apparition]

When you said the government shouldn't own it. That's just a different way of saying the same thing.

I literally made the effort to clarify what I said on that. Keep up.

 

[g.hayduke]

Our federal government doesn’t have the budget to own it so that’s not a great argument.

It was a question, not an argument. Answer please.

 

[Apparition]

It was a question, not an argument. Answer please.

I think all the land in Utah that the feds control should be transferred to Utah free of charge so that Utah can manage it in the best interests of Utah.

 

[g.hayduke]

I think all the land in Utah that the feds control should be transferred to Utah free of charge so that Utah can manage it in the best interests of Utah.

And if Utah decides selling off to billionaires is best for UT, you're OK with that? I'm not.

 

[g.hayduke]

I think all the land in Utah that the feds control should be transferred to Utah free of charge so that Utah can manage it in the best interests of Utah.

And the proposal is to SELL the land for the istensible purpose of reducing the debt. How does giving the land away help with the debt. Doesn't reducing the debt require money frome somewhere?

I am so confused.

 

[Apparition]

And the proposal is to SELL the land for the istensible purpose of reducing the debt. How does giving the land away help with the debt. Doesn't reducing the debt require money frome somewhere?

I am so confused.

I’ve said numerous times none of the sales will be used for the debt in any meaningful way.

 

[Apparition]

And the proposal is to SELL the land for the istensible purpose of reducing the debt. How does giving the land away help with the debt. Doesn't reducing the debt require money frome somewhere?

I am so confused.

The feds are shutting down access to the lands in Utah and elsewhere as is, which option benefits Utah?

 

[g.hayduke]

The feds are shutting down access to the lands in Utah and elsewhere as is, which option benefits Utah?

Utah benefits tremendously from the millions of people who flock there year round to enjoy all the public lands there.

Ever been? It's awesome. There isn't much that's shut down.

 

[Apparition]

Utah benefits tremendously from the millions of people who flock there year round to enjoy all the public lands there.

Ever been? It's awesome. There isn't much that's shut down.

No, I’ll have to go sometime. Never been west of the Mississippi in my life.

 

[g.hayduke]

No, I’ll have to go sometime. Never been west of the Mississippi in my life.

You should go see what is at risk first hand....

 

[Woodrow]

You should go see what is at risk first hand....

He’s kidding. I’ve personally seen him in Moab each of the last 3 years.

You’re both right.

I think public lands should remain public. Federal vs State vs County is debatable. Standardized rule (e.g federal control) has the advantage of predictability and uniformity which may in some cases be more fair. Local control (e.g state or county) can be more nimble and responsive to local community wants/needs. I will say its easy to hate government and I’m not immune. But anarchy or oligarchy are poor alternatives.

In no reality do I see sale of public lands to private interests paying down debt in any meaningful way as @Apparition mentioned or good for public access as you have said. Its a horrible idea and I suspect interests with large capital who stand to profit from relatively cheap purchases of large swaths of our land are behind it.

 

[Apparition]

Proposal to close free, dispersed camping at Wedge Overlook in San Rafael Swell​ ​

Just months after the Bureau of Land Management shut down 665 miles of motorized routes in the San Rafael Swell, many of which led to popular dispersed camping sites, it is now seeking public input on a plan that will close dozens of the most popular primitive, free, dispersed campsites in the area of the Wedge Overlook. The stated purpose of the closures is to address the “proliferation of dispersed campsites” in the Wedge Recreation Area. Instead of simply designating and signing the existing sites, the BLM is proposing to close them and create developed campgrounds which will create a pad-style campground with 125 sites concentrated into one area away from the overlooks that have made this an iconic camping destination for generations. You heard right. After eliminating hundreds of miles of trails that connected the public to their favorite remote campsites, the BLM is now scrambling to manage camping impacts… because users are camping where they still have access. This is exactly what we warned would happen when you reduce access: use becomes concentrated, impacts increase, and agencies respond with more restrictions. The BLM is currently taking public comment until June 25, 2025. Find details of the plan the form for comment at the button below.

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[BlackJeep23]

I grew up in the state that’s tied for the lowest amount of federal land. Zero national parks. I had 1,000’s of acres of land to utilize that was state or county owned.

Seems to me you are too bothered by this to read what I said.

I said the federal government shouldn’t own it. I also said the federal government is too corrupt and misguided to allow them to sell anything. Hence I’m saying nothing should be done.

But as a practical note they are talking about selling up to 3 million acres out of 640 million. Blue Ribbon Coalition is ok with it and they are the ones that are fighting to reverse the feds closing down access to the federal lands. They are also the ones I’ve been sending money to hoping to help them in reopening lands that were closed. I can only hope you are as well.

BlueRibbon Coalitions executive director worked directly for Mike Lee who has been trying to sell public lands for the last 14 years.

 

[BlackJeep23]

I think all the land in Utah that the feds control should be transferred to Utah free of charge so that Utah can manage it in the best interests of Utah.

As someone from Utah, I trust the federal FAR more. Gov Cox is well known for funding his buddies hunting ranches and developer buddies. The LDS church already one of the largest land owners in the country would quickly buy up anything good.

 

[Apparition]

As someone from Utah, I trust the federal FAR more. Gov Cox is well known for funding his buddies hunting ranches and developer buddies. The LDS church already one of the largest land owners in the country would quickly buy up anything good.

Guess you better elect a better governor

 

[OffroadTreks]

I used to think Mike Lee was solid, but he’s a snake.