Sale of public lands must be stopped

If passed, Trump’s “big beautiful bill” will result in the sell-off of public land in Idaho. The bill mandates between 0.5% and 0.75% of public land in Idaho (108,429-162,622 acres) be sold at breakneck speed without hearings, debate or public input. The process sets up open bidding, which favors commercial interests over under-resourced state, and local governments, and does not give tribal nations an avenue to protect traditional homelands. 

While the claim is that some of the land would be used for housing, there is nothing in place to enforce that, and land could be resold in 10 years. Do your own research (I read wilderness.org and NYTimes, June 12 “A GOP Plan to Sell Public Lands is Back”).

Even though all three of our congressmen voted April 7 against an amendment that would have blocked any public land sell-off, it’s still good to contact them: Senators Crapo and Risch, and Rep Fulcher. And tell your friends who hunt, fish and recreate.

STEVEN ANDERSON

Sagle