Earlier this week, maps began to surface that showed at least 2 million acres of potential USDA Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands that could be liquidated as part of the Senate version of the “Big, Beautiful Budget Bill.” It has been rumored since the beginning of 2025 that the Administration would look to sell public lands for the purposes of housing development across the western United States, but the proposal has been developed as part of the larger budget process in Congress without an avenue for public input.
Originally, the proposal aimed to prioritize lands that are nominated by states or units of local governments; are adjacent to existing developed areas; have access to existing infrastructure; are suitable for residential housing; reduce checkerboard land patterns; or are isolated tracts that are inefficient to manage. The original text excluded lands with existing grazing rights; however, amendments on June 14 to the proposal also folded in lands with existing grazing rights as eligible for potential sale. At this time, it is unclear whether there will be an additional process to gather input from state or local governments, should the bill pass with the land sale authorization included.
RCRC is closely monitoring the progress, and while no opportunity of providing input seems forthcoming, we will engage as there is opportunity. The map of proposed land for disposal can be viewed on the Wilderness Society website. A fact sheet about the proposal can be downloaded from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.