Sale of Federal Lands: Exploring the Amendment
- Craig Kaiser
- Jul 3
- 6 min read
The sale of federal lands has sparked heated debates across the nation, with implications for conservation, private development, and public access. Amid growing concerns about the balance between economic interests and environmental stewardship, this issue has captured the attention of policymakers, activists, and everyday citizens alike. Read on to explore the latest updates, controversies, and potential impacts shaping this pivotal topic.
Amendment Permitting the Sale of Public Lands
On May 6, 2025, House Republicans approved an amendment permitting the sale of thousands of acres of federal public land in Nevada and Utah. The proposal focuses on selling or exchanging land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, primarily to support the development of affordable housing. Targeted areas include land near Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, as well as the rapidly growing region around St. George, Utah, a popular tourist destination in southwestern Utah.
June 28th, 2025 Update: On June 25, 2025, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) announced that he would be withdrawing his proposal to include the sale of federal lands in the current bill. Senator Lee had been a key advocate for the measure, but mounting criticism raised alarms over the possibility that these lands could end up in the hands of foreign governments or the highest bidder, rather than being made available to local or rural communities.
In his statement, Senator Lee explained that the decision to pull the provision stemmed from the "constraints of the budget reconciliation process." He noted that he was ultimately unable to secure “clear, enforceable safeguards” to ensure that the lands would be sold exclusively to American families- explicitly ruling out sales to entities such as China, BlackRock, or other foreign interests.
Why Were They Planning on Selling Federal Lands?
The sale of these parcels of federally-owned land was expected to generate substantial revenue for the federal government. Republicans estimate the broader bill will produce at least $18 billion in new revenue and cost savings. By divesting federal lands, GOP lawmakers argue, the initiative will help reduce the national deficit and contribute to paying down the nation’s debt.
The government is the largest landowner in the United States, owning nearly 650 million acres of land. This land is managed by various agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Parks Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service. These lands are used for a variety of purposes such as recreation, conservation, and resource extraction.
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A total of 250+ million acres was slated for sale or transfer to local governments or private entities. The bill, released June 11th, 2025, mandated the sale of at least 2 million acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands across 11 Western states within the next five years, granting the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture broad authority to decide which areas will be put up for sale. Here is the breakdown of the total acreage that would have been available for sale in each state according to wilderness.org:
State | Total Acreage for Sale | USFS Acreage for Sale | BLM Acreage for Sale |
Alaska | 79,491,531 | 15,944,525 | 63,547,006 |
Arizona | 14,423,967 | 8,421,847 | 6,002,121 |
California | 16,682,607 | 11,170,196 | 5,512,411 |
Colorado | 14,352,632 | 9,384,415 | 4,968,217 |
Idaho | 21,685,823 | 13,287,959 | 8,397,864 |
Nevada | 33,580,624 | 3,527,280 | 30,053,344 |
New Mexico | 14,312,074 | 6,479,502 | 7,832,572 |
Oregon | 21,745,380 | 9,889,298 | 11,856,082 |
Utah | 18,746,709 | 6,096,360 | 12,650,349 |
Washington | 5,371,690 | 5,027,438 | 344,252 |
Wyoming | 14,940,234 | 5,311,119 | 9,629,116 |
Total | 255,333,273 | 94,539,939 | 160,793,334 |
Sale of Federal Lands in Nevada
Most of the land included in the House provision was located in Nevada, spanning counties that encompass Reno, Las Vegas, and the rapidly growing city of Fernley, according to maps released by the measure’s sponsors, Republican Representatives Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah.
Fernley City Manager Benjamin Marchant described the opportunity to purchase 12,000 acres of federal land on the outskirts of the city as “good news.” Since its incorporation in 2001, Fernley's population has tripled, and projections suggest it will double again within the next decade. The city aspires to become a data center technology hub, but its expansion has been constrained by a lack of available land.
“We can’t even consider new projects as long as the land remains under federal ownership,” Marchant said. “We can’t sell what we don’t own, and this provision is a critical first step in unlocking our growth potential.”
Additional parcels of land being offered for sale are situated farther from developed areas, including tracts near Zion National Park and areas adjacent to tribal lands, such as the Paiute Indian Tribe reservation in Utah and the Pyramid Lake Paiute reservation in Nevada. In Pershing County, a rural area in western Nevada, nearly 100,000 acres may be sold to private companies with existing mining claims or infrastructure, according to Representative Amodei’s office.
Meanwhile, up to 200,000 acres in Clark County, Nevada- home to the bustling city of Las Vegas- were also on the table. Together, those parcels represented less than 1 percent of the more than 50 million acres of federally controlled land in the state. The proposed legislation ensured that any federal land sold in this region will be replaced through an equivalent exchange of nonfederal land, maintaining a balanced transfer of ownership.
Sale of Federal Lands in Utah
The amendment focused on approximately 11,000 acres of public land in Utah’s Washington and Beaver counties, following a request from local officials. These parcels, primarily located in the state’s western region, would have been sold at fair market value to local governments. According to Maloy’s office, the land accounts for just one-third of 1% of Utah’s public land. Notably, the federal government owns about 63% of Utah’s land- more than any other state except Nevada.
Efforts to transfer control of federal lands to Utah officials have been ongoing for years. Last year, Utah filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government's authority to manage 18.5 million acres of public land within the state’s borders.
Key Concerns About the Federal Lands Sale
Selling or transferring public lands can raise revenue for the government, but also sparked concerns about impacts on communities and ecosystems. Some argue private ownership could lead to development for profit, while others believe it might improve management and access for recreation. This debate isn’t new. In recent years, there have been multiple attempts to sell public lands to private interests, sparking strong reactions from conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and local communities.
Loss of Access for Recreational Activities: Opponents of public land sales worried about losing access to outdoor recreational activities. Public lands are used by hikers, campers, hunters, and anglers, but selling them to private owners could jeopardize access. Private owners might restrict or charge for entry, limiting opportunities to enjoy these spaces.
Impact on Wildlife & Ecosystems: Another concern was the impact on wildlife and ecosystems. Public lands provide crucial habitats for many plant and animal species. Selling or developing these lands could severely harm native species and their habitats. Additionally, development and industrial activities can cause air and water pollution, further damaging the environment.
Cultural Preservation: Protecting public lands is vital for preserving cultural heritage and historical landmarks. These lands hold deep significance for Indigenous communities and serve as important reminders of our history. Selling or transferring them risked destroying these irreplaceable sites and erasing key parts of our shared heritage.
Research & Education: Public lands are essential for scientific research and education. They provide opportunities for scientists to study ecosystems and make discoveries about the natural world. These spaces also serve as open-air classrooms, allowing students to explore topics like conservation and biology firsthand. Without them, hands-on learning and research opportunities could have been limited.
Economic Considerations: Public lands drive industries like tourism, outdoor recreation, and sustainable resource use. The outdoor recreation industry alone generates over $400 billion annually and supports millions of jobs. Without public lands, these industries could have faced major setbacks.
Final Thoughts
Public lands play a vital role in supporting education, conservation, recreation, and economic growth. They act as invaluable spaces for hands-on learning and research, provide a foundation for thriving tourism and outdoor recreation industries, and contribute significantly to local economies. Although there are financial advantages to selling these properties, losing access to this land could have impacted numerous sectors and diminish opportunities for future generations.
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