Keep Public Lands in Public Hands: Oppose the Selling of Public Lands in the "Big, Beautiful Bill"

 

Cutthroat Pass (pictured above) is among the many areas that could be up for sale if the budget reconciliation bill passes this July.

The places we love to recreate in are currently at risk of being sold off in an amendment to the Budget Reconciliation Bill by Utah Senator, Mike Lee, who claims that selling off Public Lands will turn "federal liabilities into taxpayer value, while making housing more affordable for hardworking American families"(washingtonpost.com). The dark side to this bill is that it could potentially open up oil and mining in vulnerable habitats like the Arctic Refuge (wilderness.org) and "deprive future generations from public access to public land" (washingtonpost.com). What we are fundamentally facing is a fire-sale and potential loss of the outdoor places we play in to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. If this bill goes through, the damages to the outdoor spaces we love will be irrevocable.

UPDATE 06.24.25

Mike Lee has announced that he plans to make the following changes:

• Remove all Forest Service Land
• Significantly reduce the amount of BLM land in the bill. Only land within 5 miles of population centers is eligible.
• Establish Freedom Zones to ensure the lands benefit American Families.
• Protect farmers, ranchers, and recreational users.

Explore the map provided by the Wilderness Society to find out how your area may be affected: Public Lands eligible for Sale under the Budget Reconciliation Bill

Here are some key takeaways and why it's important to get LOUD about opposing this bill:

• The bill designates over 250 million acres of BLM and Forest Service lands across 11 Western states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY) as potentially sellable (washingtonpost.com)
• Of that, it mandates the sale of 2–3 million acres within the next five years (about 0.5–0.75% of public lands)( washingtonpost.com)
• Excludes national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, and lands under existing mining or oil/gas leases—but includes lands under grazing permits and many administrative conservation lands (e.g. wilderness study areas, inventoried roadless areas) (wilderness.org)
• Framed as a way to “open under‑used” land near population centers for housing or infrastructure development. However, there are no guarantees of affordability, density, or actual housing outcomes(wilderness.org)

Write and Call your State Senators

“Writing Your Elected Representatives” (aclu.org)

Keep it brief: Letters should never be longer than one page, and should be limited to one issue. Legislative aides read many letters on many issues in a day, so your letter should be as concise as possible.

State Who You Are and What You Want Up Front: In the first paragraph, tell your legislators that you are a constituent and identify the issue about which you are writing. If your letters pertains to a specific piece of legislation, it helps to identify it by its bill number (e.g. H.R. ____ or S. _____).

Hit your three most important points: Choose the three strongest points that will be most effective in persuading legislators to support your position and flesh them out.

Personalize your letter: Tell your elected official why this legislation matters in his community or state. If you have one, include a personal story that shows how this issue affects you and your family. A constituent's personal stories can be the very persuasive as your legislator shapes his or her position.

Personalize your relationship: Have you ever voted for this elected official? Have you ever contributed time or money to his or her campaign? Are you familiar with her through any business or personal relationship? If so, tell your elected official or his staff person. The closer your legislator feels to you, the more powerful your argument is likely to be.

You are the Expert: Remember that your legislator's job is to represent you. You should be courteous and to the point, but don't be afraid to take a firm position. Remember that often your elected official may know no more about a given issue than you do.

Writing & Calling Prompts:

1) Source: 5calls.org

Hi, my name is [FULL NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY/TOWN].

I’m calling to urge Senator/Representative [LAST NAME] to oppose H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill, and any provisions that authorize the sale of our public lands or the use of it for oil, mining, and timber production. Public lands should be protected and preserved, not destroyed by the fossil fuel industry or sold off to fund tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

2) Source: @hello_mallory

Hi, my name is [FULL NAME], and I’m a constituent from [CITY/TOWN].

I’m calling/writing to urge Senator/Representative [Last Name] to vote NO on the Big Beautiful Bill-or any bill-that includes provisions to sell off our public lands.

This bill threatens up to 3 million acres of land that belong to all of us. Selling them off to the highest bidder is a betrayal of our heritage, outdoor access, and future generations.

Our public lands are not for profit. They support local economies, wildlife, and a healthy environment. Once they’re gone, we don’t get them back.

Please stand up for public lands and vote NO on this bill.

[Include a personal story from BLM or USFS land]

THANK YOU

IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

Washington State Senators Phone Numbers & Addresses

Senator Patty Murray

• Phone number: 202-224-2621
• Mailing Address: 2988 Jackson Federal Building
  915 2nd Avenue
  Seattle, WA 98174

Senator Maria Cantwell

• Phone number: 202-224-3441
• Mailing Address: 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3206
  Seattle, Washington 98174

Representative Dan Newhouse

• Phone number: (202) 225-5816
• Mailing Address: 
  3100 George Washington Way
  #130
  Richland, WA  99354

Contact Additional Senators:

U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

PDF Senator Contact List

senate.gov

High-Impact Senators & Reps (Outside Our District but Strategic)

1. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)

• Phone Number: (202) 225‑3772
• Mailing Address: 202 Cannon House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515‑6601

Role: Chair, House Natural Resources Committee

Why: As chair, he oversees all public lands legislation and has the power to slow or stop provisions related to land sales.

Potential Message: “Please oppose the Senate’s proposed public lands sell-off in reconciliation. This threatens rural economies, fire resilience, and hunting access across the country.”

2. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM)

• Phone Number: (202) 225-6316
• Mailing Address: 
  1421 Longworth House Office Building
  Washington, DC  20515

Role: Member, House Natural Resources Committee and advocate for land conservation

Why: Can rally opposition among House Democrats and help center rural and Indigenous voices in debate.

Potential Message: “Thank you for defending public lands. Please speak out against the proposed Senate land sale provision. We need your voice in this moment.”

3. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)

• Phone number: (202) 224‑6441
• Mailing address: 307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
  Washington, DC 20510

Role: Ranking Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Why: Influential Republican voice on land and energy policy

Potential Message: “As someone who understands the West, I urge you to reconsider support for public lands sell-offs. Rural fire safety, grazing, and hunting access depend on these landscapes remaining public.”

4. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)

• Phone number: (202) 224-2651
• Mailing address: 320 Hart Senate Office Building
  Washington, D.C. 20510 ‑ 2604

Role: Member, Senate ENR Committee; represents a state reliant on recreation, ranching, and fire-sensitive landscapes

Why: Could be persuaded by arguments from fellow Westerners about the dangers of privatizing USFS and BLM lands

Potential Message: “Montanans and Washingtonians alike rely on USFS lands for hunting, grazing, and fire protection. Please oppose the sell-off provision in reconciliation.”

5. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA)

• Phone Number: (202) 225-6311
• Mailing Address: 520 112th Ave NE, Suite 400-C
  Bellevue, WA 98004

Why: Represents WA-1 but serves on the House Ways & Means Committee and is influential in budget negotiations. She can advocate within the delegation to remove the provision.

Potential Message: “Please work to ensure the reconciliation bill does not include language allowing the sale of public lands. This is a matter of rural equity and environmental justice.”