Bad News on Idaho’s Public Lands – 1/2/2025

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Utah’s latest attempt to take millions of acres of public land out of the control of Congress and instead have the Supreme Court designate other managers. The Attorney General is also asking the Supreme Court to declare the landmark 1976 law (FLPMA) that directs BLM to manage public lands for multiple use and sustained yield unconstitutional. 

In his brief, the Attorney General specifically called out for the transfer of 9 million acres of “unappropriated” BLM lands in Idaho. These are the classic BLM “multiple use, sustained yield lands” that make up the over 9 million acres of Idaho or 77% of BLM lands in the state. These are the same lands where Idahoans go to fill out their elk tag, go bird hunting, collect firewood for the winter, ride trails, and take their families camping. All it will take is for five of the nine justices to agree and Idaho’s heritage and our way of life could be lost forever. For example, State ownership would open the door to privatization, jeopardizing lands we use as a source of clean water for our communities, hunting, fishing, and recreation. We need you to speak up today – tell our decision-makers that you do not support this stance.