Nice work to everyone who took the time to send your elected representatives a message, email or made a call to express your opposition to the proposed sale of 1.5 million acres of your public land in Nevada and Utah. That’s how “government of the people, by the people, for the people…,” is supposed to work and it appears that it has indeed done just that. I would also encourage you to send a thank you for listening message as well.
The proposed sale of public land in Utah in particular was in reaction to growing frustration surrounding the bureaucratic red tape local communities in Washington and Beaver Counties have been tangled up in when trying to acquire usage of federal land for growth, government and infrastructure. I guess Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, figured it would just be easier to work language into the budget bill that would pave the way for the sale of lands in question.
However, co-chairman of the new Public Lands Caucus, Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., and his group stood up and were able to get the public land sale language removed from the budget bill. Zinke made this astoundingly common sense remark in response to the language being stricken…
“There’s a lot of frustration down in the West. I understand that,” Zinke said in response to the amendment earlier this month. “But I prefer the management scheme. And I give an example as a hotel — if you don’t like the management of a hotel, don’t sell the hotel. Change the management. That’s where I sit on that position.”
Now as much as I appreciate Mr. Zinke’s remarks the fact remains that without pressure from folks such as you who stood up, reached out and said “NO!”, the sale of this land could have become a reality. I tip my hat to everyone who took the time and participated in the governing process by communicating with your elected officials. Thank you! However, I would encourage continued vigilance in support for keeping public lands public.
For now, let’s celebrate this win by enjoying our public lands this Memorial Day Weekend while we remember all we have been given thanks to the sacrifices of brave folks who paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy in these great United States of America!
