In recent weeks, Utah Senator Mike Lee, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee, put forward a plan to sell millions of acres of public land across 11 Western states, including Idaho, as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Many of you stepped up to voice your opposition to this widespread transfer of public lands to private hands! Idaho Senators Risch and Crapo came out last week against this provision. It ended up being removed from the bill due to a technicality. However, Senator Lee has rewritten the proposal in an attempt to get it in before the Senate votes on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in the next few days.

The new proposal would mandate the sale of between 625,500 – 1,200,000 acres of Federal public land managed by the BLM within five miles of population centers.

These are the close-to-home public lands we rely on—the places where we hike, bike, walk our dogs, and find a quick escape into nature. For many Idahoans, these nearby trails and open spaces are part of daily life. Losing them would be a major blow to access, recreation, and quality of life in our communities. Examples of just a few places this provision could affect (thank you Conservation Voters for Idaho for these):

Boise and Eagle Foothills
Land surrounding Hailey and Ketchum
Scout Mountain outside of Pocatello
Hunting grounds and trails outside of Emmett

How can you help?

Before the vote takes place in the next few days, we need your help in contacting your senators and letting them know you do not support this new proposal. Phone calls and emails let them know that you support our public lands and trails and do not want to see them up for sale. Your voice matters! Please pass this email along to friends who care about our public lands.

If you live in Idaho, you can contact:
Senator James Risch
Phone: (202) 224-2752
Email: contact form at risch.senate.gov
Senator Mike Crapo
Phone: (202) 224-6142
Email: contact form at crapo.senate.gov

Sample message: Hello, my name is (your name). I am emailing to thank you for coming out in opposition to the proposal to sell off public lands as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” I urge you to oppose the new proposal by Senator Lee that authorizes the sale of public lands near population centers. As an avid hiker, I cherish the beauty and wildness of our shared public spaces close to home and strongly oppose the sale of them to the highest bidder. Our public lands are our legacy and meant to be shared by all Americans. As our representative, please stand up for what is right by voting no for this reckless selling off of public lands. Thank you for your leadership and for standing up for Idaho’s treasured landscapes.
Respectfully,
(your name)

Please join us in standing up for Idaho’s beloved trails and wild places by saying a loud and clear NO to any attempt to sell off our public lands. These landscapes belong to all of us—and they should stay that way.

Public lands belong in public hands. Let’s keep them wild, open, and protected for generations to come. Once this land is sold, there is no going back!

-Board and Staff of Idaho Trails Association