A significant concern has emerged regarding the potential sale of public land, vast tracts of it, across the United States. It encompasses over 250 million acres, stretching from the arid Southwest to the rugged Alaskan frontier. That’s 40% of public land in the country. Just a reminder, it belongs to all of us.
These are the nation’s shared natural resources, critical habitats, and recreational grounds. Adventure and off-road riders should be pissed, hunters, fishermen, campers, and every goddamn American should too.
The Sale of Public Land Is a Huge Mistake
This all started with much smaller but still alarming numbers, but every time I look up more info on this, it seems the number of acres the government wants to sell off increases. It’s horrible.
The Wilderness Society, which is dedicated to protecting these lands, has released an interactive map. It clearly outlines the specific areas vulnerable to being sold off.
The justification often cited for these proposed sales is residential development, though much of this land is environmentally unsuitable or geographically challenging for such purposes. More critically, these are the very spaces cherished for hunting, fishing, off-road recreation, and simply escaping the confines of urban life.
The process behind these potential sales appears to be moving rapidly, with limited public discourse or input. This lack of transparency raises significant questions about the true motives and long-term implications.
For those who value access to open spaces and the preservation of America’s natural heritage, this development represents a profound threat. Once these public lands are privatized, the opportunity for their enjoyment by the general public is lost permanently.
Also, these lands give us our clean water, clean air, and abundant wildlife. Without these acres, the USA is lacking a very important resource for everyone. Call your representatives today about this issue, and if you want to stay up to date on all of this, check out Wes Siler’s Substack or follow Jonathon Klein’s work at RideApart. They’ll help keep you updated.
Sources: RideApart, The Wilderness Society, Wes Siler
