Will you write to your representative today to demand they protect our health and future? Be sure to include a personal message explaining why these issues matter to you!
Click HERE!
Selling Public Lands
In the middle of the night—literally at midnight—lawmakers voted to approve a last-minute amendment to sell off public lands in Nevada and Utah. The amendment was introduced without notice, barely discussed, and passed without opportunity for public comment or review. Ultimately, every Republican except Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) voted for this amendment, and every Republican and one Democrat, Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), voted to advance the final reconciliation package, including the sell off amendment.
The land sales affect parcels managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, many of which are near or overlap recreation resources, including mountain biking, backpacking, climbing, and paddling in southern Utah. In Nevada, even local representatives and Clark County officials opposed the amendment, but their concerns were ignored. These lands deserve careful, transparent review—not a fire sale to offset tax cuts.
Maybe even worse, the reconciliation bill still includes language that allows industry to pay to bypass judicial review of NEPA documents, undermining environmental protections and public oversight.
As our VP of Policy and Government Relations, Louis Geltman, said, “In all sincerity, this reconciliation bill is the worst thing we’ve ever seen that actually has a legitimate shot of passing.”
If you haven’t yet, please take two minutes to write your lawmakers and tell them public lands are not a piggy bank for government spending. We encourage you to write your lawmakers in your own words. The way this was done—behind closed doors, in the middle of the night—is unacceptable.
We may not be able to stop every harmful provision, but with enough pressure, we can get land sell-offs and NEPA rollbacks out of this bill.
Contacts Listed HERE!
Instant Message HERE!
SUPPORT THE “Public Lands in Public Hands Act” To help save our public lands from being SOLD
Help save 32,000,000 acres, Look at this
| Springtime is here and it’s a great time to be getting out on your amazing public lands! However, we cannot take these lands for granted— public lands takeover efforts remain a very real threat. Coming off the heels of an inspiring rally for public lands in Boise that drew over a thousand people, we are energized and ready to continue to protect our priceless public lands from transfer to the state and/or privatization. You can speak up to keep public lands in public hands today by following our easy take action link here. Springtime is also baby animal season! The grass is greening up. Animals are returning and emerging from a winter slumber, and we are welcoming the newest pack members, from cubs to calves to chicks. Living in Idaho and the West means that we also live with the wonder and beauty of wildlife. This spring we have the opportunity to help shape how Idaho’s wildlife is managed for generations to come. Right now, the Idaho Fish and Game agency is embarking on a once-per-decade strategic planning effort and they are asking the public to weigh in. This is Idahoans’ chance to have their voice heard for a renewed approach to wildlife management across the state. Learn more below, take action, and attend a public meeting near you! With the state legislative session (thankfully) wrapping up soon, ICL’s government relations team has been keeping a close eye on the last-minute flurry of bills. In particular, we strongly opposed Senate Joint Memorial 104 because it seeks to strip federally managed public lands (Camas National Wildlife Refuge) from public ownership and place them under state control. Unfortunately, the resolution (which is non-binding) just passed the Idaho House on Monday. You can visit our Take Action page for other ways to support our efforts in the statehouse. |
Save Our Public Lands
March 22 was a good turnout for SAVING OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
The Boise BCH was front and center! Keep up the good work!
per: CBS2 News:
On Saturday, Idahoans from across the state gathered at the Idaho Capitol to rally in support of public lands and oppose their privatization by special interests.
The event aimed to urge state leaders to safeguard these lands, which are integral to Idaho’s identity and economy, according to organizers.
“Idaho’s 32 million acres of public lands are the foundation of Idaho’s unique way of life and Idaho’s economy,” said John Robison, Public Lands & Wildlife Director for the Idaho Conservation League. “We live in Idaho for the freedom of enjoying our public lands—and the chance to pass this heritage on to our families and future generations.”
Public lands play a crucial role in Idaho’s economy, with outdoor recreation supporting over 37,000 jobs and contributing $3.96 billion in 2023. However, these lands face significant threats, including forest health issues, wildfire risks, and development pressures. Budget cuts and staffing shortages further strain the management of these lands.
“The future of our public lands is in jeopardy. Now is the time for our leaders to reject these dangerous efforts and make it clear that we will not follow the path toward privatization,” said Alexis Pickering, Executive Director for Conservation Voters for Idaho.
The rally, which began at 11 a.m., featured a range of speakers, including Representative Monica Church and actor Chance Rush, known for his role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Other speakers included Paul Mascuch, an Idaho falconer, and representatives from hunting interests.
IDAHO’S RESPONCE (to public lands)
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| January 23, 2025 Good morning, Thank you so much for your recent letter concerning the State of Utah’s lawsuit that our office supported over the federal ownership of undesignated Bureau of Land Management lands in our western states. Many people contacted my office with letters of support, opposition, and general interest on the topic and I am grateful for the widespread engagement on this important issue. On Monday, January 13, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear this case, so for now, this case regarding undesignated BLM lands is on hold. However, the conversation about federalism, public recreation access, and management practices is one that our state and country need to have. Regardless of your position, I am thankful for your communication and hope you stay engaged as we set priorities for Idaho lands together. I recently put out a newsletter on this topic and have included a link below. It articulates my position as well as my concerns regarding federal ownership of Idaho lands and their management practices. It may address some of the concerns and correct some of the misinformation that was spread about the Utah lawsuit. Labrador Letter – Idaho Lands in Idaho Hands Again, thank you for reaching out on this important issue. Best regards,  |
Help Save Our Public Lands
Please contact your State Representatives by mail and phone and ask them not to support the release of BLM managed land to state management.
Keep the message short (They don’t want personal details)
Tell them:
- You don’t support the release of public managed lands from the BLM to the State of Idaho.
- This land is where we recreate; Camping, Riding, Fishing, et. Look at how much revenue is spent on this activity in Idaho.
- The state cant afford to manage the land.
- If they support this, don’t count on a vote at the next election.
Go to “Your Legislator” tab to get phone numbers and addresses.
UPDATE – GOOD NEWS on Public Lands
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Effort to Seize Control of Public Lands
Over 9 million acres of public lands in Idaho will remain protected from privatization and exploitation, for now.
More Information HERE.
UPDATE – More bad news on Public Lands – 1/8/2025
Received this from Karen Steenhof:
The State of Utah filed a motion to the Supreme Court, bypassing the District Court, asking that all “unappropriated” federal lands be turned over to the state. Attorney General Raul Labrador filed an Amicus brief on behalf of Idaho, supporting Utah’s motion. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Friday January 10 and will decide on January 13 whether to take the case. If they don’t, that won’t be the end because will probably go back to the District Court. So, it is still important to speak up and contact Congressional representatives as well as Idaho legislators about how important it is to keep public lands in public hands.
Unappropriated lands include lands were not reserved for another purpose (i.e., a National Park, National Forest, National Monument, National Wildlife Refuge, or other designation like National Conservation Area). Unappropriated lands comprise 9 million acres in Idaho—17% of all land in Idaho.
If the state gets title to unappropriated lands, it would not be able to afford what it takes to manage them. The firefighting responsibilities alone would bankrupt the state, so they would be forced to sell off the lands or lease them to the highest bidders. Privatizing the lands would eliminate public access for trail riding, hunting, fishing, hiking etc.
The comments recommended by ICL here: https://takeaction.idahoconservation.org/09a2aFx are good. My understanding is that going through this portal will get comments to Labrador, the Congressional delegation, and Idaho legislators.
Here is more information about the situation: https://idahoconservation.org/blog/utah-files-the-big-one-lawsuit-seeks-to-seize-18-5-million-acres-of-public-land/ We can hope that the Supreme Court will dismiss Utah’s case, given that language in the Utah, Idaho, and other western states’ constitutions and statehood acts “forever disclaim[ed] all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within…”
I know that all of us have been frustrated by various BLM decisions and actions, but we can’t toss out everything because of a few bad decisions.
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.