WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Utah Congressman has withdrawn a bill he
introduced that would have allowed for the disposal of 3.3
million acres of federal lands in 10 Western states, including
Arizona.
The bill’s introduction was preceded by a House rules change
that made it easier for federal land divestiture to take place
and came amid strong opposition from environmental groups, as
well as hunting and angling organizations.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s
HR 621 would have allowed for federal lands to be disposed
of “by competitive sale for not less than fair market value,”
and the proceeds would have gone “directly into the Treasury for
reduction of the public debt.”
The property in question was Bureau of Land Management land
“identified as suitable for disposal … on May 27, 1997,” and
included 17,640 acres in Apache County and 3,920 acres in Navajo
County, according to the bill’s supporting documentation.
Proponents of the land transfers argue that under control of
another entity, federal lands could be better managed and
resources on those lands — for farming, ranching, mining and
timber harvesting — could be better utilized.
“Once public land is gone, it’s gone forever,” said Jesse
Deubel, director of United Bowhunters of New Mexico.
“I’m a proud gun owner, hunter and I love our public
lands,” he wrote on the social media post. “I hear you and
HR621 dies tomorrow.”
The congressman has proposed five such bills in his
career.
“This loss would have forever robbed the American people
of the amazing bounty these and all public lands provide,”
Aaron Kindle, of the National Wildlife Federation, told the
Washington Post. “Another good move would be to withdraw the
recently approved House rule that devalues public lands and
makes them easier to dispose of.”
Reach publisher Brian Kramer at
bkramer@wmicentral.com
