Sen. Mike Lee Proposes Sale of Millions of Western Public Acres

Senator Mike Lee has proposed a provision in the Senate's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that would require the sale of 0.50% to 0.75% of Bureau of Land Management and National Forest System land in 11 western states, including Utah, to address housing affordability. While the bill excludes federally protected lands such as National Parks and Wilderness areas, critics note it could still put at least 250 million acres of public land at risk, including popular recreational and environmentally sensitive areas. Lee's office emphasizes the bill only creates a nomination process for potential sales, requiring consultation with states and local governments, but environmental groups and local communities fear it represents the largest public land sell-off in modern history. Opponents highlight concerns that the land could be sold to private interests, including mining and oil companies, rather than being used for affordable housing, and question the adequacy of public input and protections. The proposal is part of a broader effort by Utah and other western states to reduce federal land control, sparking fierce debate over conservation, public access, and fiscal priorities. Critics also frame the bill as a continuation of a broader wealth transfer favoring private and corporate interests at the expense of public resources.