Sen. Mike Lee’s proposed public lands sale could jeopardize recreation access, opponents say

SALT LAKE CITY — Concern is mounting across the western U.S. that Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee’s proposed public lands sale could restrict access to several beloved recreation areas. 

The proposal, introduced by Lee and Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT, could lead to the biggest land sale in U.S. history. It orders the sale of a minimum of 3.3 million acres of federally owned land in the name of economic development. Those acres are spread across 11 western states, including Utah. 

No protected lands, like national parks and national recreation areas, are eligible. However, an analysis completed by The Wilderness Society said the land sale could impact thousands of miles of recreation, wilderness study, migration and wildlife habitat areas are. 

Lee and Daines are just the latest Republicans to come under fire for suggesting the sale of public lands. In May, Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy and Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei introduced a smaller proposal. That proposal was later cut. 

“[This sale] threatens public access, undermines responsible land management, puts environmental values, cultural resources, and endangered species at risk along with clean drinking water for 60 million Americans and betrays the public’s trust,” wrote the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance in a letter that was signed by over 100 other conservation organizations. 

Currently, no land has been officially designated for sale. However, a map shows the areas of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management acreage that are eligible. In Utah, nearly 2 million acres are on the table. 

Lee says public lands sale will “support local development”

Lee is the chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He addressed the proposal in a recent video, explaining the land sale is meant to open up space for “expand housing [and] support local development.” 

If public lands were to be sold, private owners could impose restrictions that limit public use, close access to trails or build developments. Furthermore, the bill’s text does not outline any requirements for housing built on the lands to be affordable. 

Lee’s office did not immediately respond to KSL NewsRadio’s request for comment on the concerns opponents have. 

A recently added provision prioritizes land areas suitable for development; however, it does not rule out any specific locations. Furthermore, the Associated Press reported that not all public land is suitable for development. Much of the land marked on the map is far from developed towns and cities. 

“Selling off public lands is short-sighted, self-serving, and irreversible,” SUWA wrote. 

In a video shared to Instagram, Outdoor Alliance, another advocacy group, explained that the eligible lands include 100,000 miles of trails and over 8,000 climbing areas, many of which serve as a place of solace and peace for Americans. 

“These are places beloved and celebrated by the outdoor recreation community and include everything from trails in our backyard to world-class destinations for hiking, camping, paddling, etc.” wrote Outdoor Alliance. 

Utah public lands that could be impacted

Although reading the map to identify specific recreation areas is a challenge in geography, it’s very easy to see the vast amount of Utah public lands that are eligible. 

Near Salt Lake City, eligible lands encompass popular backcountry skiing areas in the Uinta Mountains, swaths of dog-friendly hiking areas in Millcreek Canyon, and hiking trails in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon, among many others. 

Other prominent areas include Moab’s Corona Arch Pipe Dream trails, as well as areas of the Manti-La Sal and Fishlake national forests, among many others. 

Jessie Haffener is a Utah outdoor guide and avalanche educator. In an email to KSL NewsRadio, she said the land sale could impact the livelihoods of those who work in the mountains. 

“Once this land is sold, it’s gone forever,” Haffener wrote.