"DOI will work with HUD to identify lands to offload for the development of affordable homes"

[sasquatch]

The only portions that would be good, IMO, would be the urban dots scattered around. Some of it is less bad though. I'd much rather trade/swap all that checkerboard for large parcels if something like that is doable.

That’s what almost anyone would like, BUT that was NOT what the bill was about.


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[HairyScandinavian]

That’s what almost anyone would like, BUT that was NOT what the bill was about.


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Agree, it wasn't on the menu. In light of that I still would prefer to "sell" the federal lands in the urban areas to the local state/municipalities and let them manage as they see fit. That's not happening so I guess yall got your way, not a big deal I'm not taking up a crusade to get rid of it or anything.

 

[Ozarkansas]

The only portions that would be good, IMO, would be the urban dots scattered around. Some of it is less bad though. I'd much rather trade/swap all that checkerboard for large parcels if something like that is doable.

Okay I misunderstood. I agree with that.

Still, I think we need to be careful assuming that stuff like this would never pass. If the snuck it in the “Big Beautiful Bill” then it’s because multiple powerful people wanted it in there. The only reason it got taken out is because of pushback by other powerful people. If the number of pro-public land republicans wasn’t high enough, this would have stayed in the bill

 

[CJ19]

I am glad this part of the bill is dead. I am also glad outdoor lovers including people in this thread contacted their reps. I would like to think that made a big difference.

 

[Jimbee]

I am glad this part of the bill is dead. I am also glad outdoor lovers including people in this thread contacted their reps. I would like to think that made a big difference.

I'm glad you wrote something that I can understand.

 

[CJ19]

I'm glad you wrote something that I can understand.

do you happen to work in the conservation world by chance?

 

[wyosam]

Nobody recreates here, not even the locals.

Your “nobody recreates here” map seems to show trails through several of the red areas. I don’t know the areas in question, but in the various places I’ve lived, the small federal parcels near town do get used quite a bit. The nature or extent of that use may not seem valuable to some, but the same could be said of the larger “pristine” areas we treasure as hunters. Plenty of people couldn’t care less about that use or keeping that land as is.


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[wyosam]

You're not wrong, but I almost moved to Wyoming to live with my sons. Luckily for me I came to my senses and decided not to leave the gulf coast where I can recreate 24/7/365. "Almost" gives me some credit right? LOL

Yeah, definitely can’t recreate in Wyoming year round.


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[HairyScandinavian]

Yeah, definitely can’t recreate in Wyoming year round.


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Wife had two job offers in Laramie and I've been working remotely since before it was cool and stayed with the boys sometimes 3 months at a time. Boys lived out there three years and I ran the numbers, even included snow machine purchases and skiing and I'd lose about 100 days per year of hunting and fishing. I love Wyoming but it just doesn't compare.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I herd on Rokslide Zinkie was the devil… guess not..

 

[Poser]

Well, we thought this was settled, but Mike Lee is now trying to install this selloff into the budget reconciliation bill.

 

[elkhunter505]

Well, we thought this was settled, but Mike Lee is now trying to install this selloff into the budget reconciliation bill.

Yep. Not sure what his base looks like but given the push, it would seem he is out of touch with the majority of his constituents, but maybe it’s different than I think.

 

[rogerdoger]

The push to sell off public land is not going to stop. They have been at it for years, they will keep harping on the subject and making point after point until it gets full traction. Its like fishing, keep at it and change the lure until something bites. The only way I see stopping or slowing that train is to get some sort of legislation past that makes it dam near impossible for them to sell our land.

 

[mt525]

Absolutely awful to see

 

[sasquatch]

But but but, guys, WE really really need this. It’s great, it’s the ONLY way we will ever afford houses in the future. The SALE will benefit US.


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[UPThunderbolt]

The push to sell off public land is not going to stop. They have been at it for years, they will keep harping on the subject and making point after point until it gets full traction. It’s like fishing, keep at it and change the lure until something bites. The only way I see stopping or slowing that train is to get some sort of legislation past that makes it dam near impossible for them to sell

There is another way, but it takes partnership between the managing agency, local businesses, and the recreational community that uses that land.

In Michigan, we were able to have a positive impact by promoting public land ownership through the economics of hunting. In short, we created the GEMSs (Grouse Enhanced Management Sites) in which we offered free advertising on the MDNR website to any business willing to provide any discount of their choosing to hunters who visited specific GEMSs. Some examples included, among others, motels that gave 20% discounts, a car dealership that offered $300 off on vehicle purchase, and a Dairy Queen that gave free blizzards. The increased traffic into the businesses was celebrated and relayed to the politicians as examples of how the agencies efforts at land management enhanced their businesses. The out-of-State hunters surveyed spoke to their use and appreciation of the program. Local hunters increased their spending at the participating businesses in appreciation for the support. The Pointing Dog Journal and Ruffed Grouse Society produced several article on the program. The program became so popular that we had two GEMSs established on National Forest Lands, two on Commercial forest lands, and one on County lands. State politicians, with a GEMSs in their districts, began using them as selling points for people to come and hunt a spend money. The GEMSs led to at least two spin-off programs “Turkey Tracts” and “Michigan Trout Trails”. With the GEMSs program, politicians’ attitudes towards public land ownership shifted.

I’m not suggesting that an identical program would work on the western federal lands. They are a different world from Michigan State lands. But, if any of you westerners are interested in taking a proactive approach to fighting this issue locally, a review of the GEMSs might stimulate thoughts on how you could move forward.

 

[Dos Perros]

Did you guys listen to the MeatEater podcast 696?

Ep. 696: Wildfire and the Future of Public Lands with Sen. Tim Sheehy | MeatEater Podcasts

Steven Rinella talks with U.S. Senator for Montana Tim Sheehy, Ryan Callaghan, and Brody Henderson. Topics discussed: The U.S. military, wildfires, public lands, and more. Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on Instagram and Twitter MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook...

www.themeateater.com

 

[RyanT26]

Did you guys listen to the MeatEater podcast 696?

Ep. 696: Wildfire and the Future of Public Lands with Sen. Tim Sheehy | MeatEater Podcasts

Steven Rinella talks with U.S. Senator for Montana Tim Sheehy, Ryan Callaghan, and Brody Henderson. Topics discussed: The U.S. military, wildfires, public lands, and more. Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on Instagram and Twitter MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook...

www.themeateater.com

Did they finally have one that was worth listening to?

 

[Dos Perros]

Did they finally have one that was worth listening to?

Oh I dunno. I took some nuggets from that one, specifically on this topic.

 

[UPThunderbolt]

Did you guys listen to the MeatEater podcast 696?

Ep. 696: Wildfire and the Future of Public Lands with Sen. Tim Sheehy | MeatEater Podcasts

Steven Rinella talks with U.S. Senator for Montana Tim Sheehy, Ryan Callaghan, and Brody Henderson. Topics discussed: The U.S. military, wildfires, public lands, and more. Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on Instagram and Twitter MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook...

www.themeateater.com

Thanks for sharing. The last 10 minutes were probably the most valuable as it pertains to this thread.

The other interesting perspective this podcast brought up was the “full circle” moment being faced by Federal Land managers.

For anyone interested, I’m attaching a photo of a book that details a fire that occurred in 1910 in the Bitterroot Mountains on the Montana/Idaho border (I found it to be a good read). The devastation from that fire fundamentally changed the approach to Forest Service Land management. It seems some of the lessons learned back then may have been lost.