How Would The Sale Of Public Land Affect Off-Roading?

In the summer of 2020, we had very little hope and few things to look forward to, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and all the fears of the unknown it brought. Many of us sought refuge in the great outdoors and found comfort in camping away from crowds. I was one of them. I’ve always been a huge fan of our National Parks, visiting them since I was a kid and dreaming of exploring more.

On August 4, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law the “Great American Outdoors Act,” a historic investment in our National Parks and publicly owned lands. The law aimed to address the many needs of our public lands, including restoration and maintenance that enable access for both staff and visitors. The legislation included $9.5 billion over five years to fund restoration, upkeep, and improvements across our National Parks.

Bill Proponents

Fast forward to the present, Utah Senator Mike Lee proposed a bill that would make 2.2 to 3.3 million acres of publicly owned land available for sale. This proposal aimed to address the housing shortage and generate income for local and state governments.

The idea is that providing more affordable homes could increase housing availability through supply and demand.  Additionally, this could generate extra revenue for the government to help reduce the national debt.

The bill included public lands in the western United States. In contrast, the states east of the Rocky Mountains have only 4% publicly owned land, with the rest being private. In the West, particularly in Utah, nearly half of the land is owned by the government, including two-thirds of Utah’s land. The bill was intended to be passed under the “reconciliation process,” requiring only a simple majority of 50 or more votes.

However, after review, it was found to violate Senate rules and now needs at least 60 votes to pass. Facing opposition from conservation groups, outdoor enthusiasts, advocacy groups, and the public, Senator Lee withdrew the bill from President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and is working on revising it to gather more support.

What’s In The Revised Bill

To gain support for this proposal, Senator Lee removed all U.S. Forest Service lands from sale and only allows for the sale of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land within 5 miles of population centers.  Here are some details of the revised plan:

• The Bureau of Land Management is required to offer 0.25% to 0.5% of its land, a reduction of 0.5% to 0.75% previously.
• It is required to sell 611,000 to 1.225 million acres of BLM in the western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).
• Any land parcels nominated for sale would require:
  • A description of how the land development would address “local housing needs”
  • Or any “infrastructure amenities to support local housing needs”
  • Federally protected lands would be excluded (National monuments, National Parks, Conservation areas, Wilderness Preserves, Seashore, Historic Sites, Memorial Sites, Historic Park or Recreation area).
• Financial Requirements:
  • Land would be sold by a competitive sale or auction to ensure it is sold at a fair price.
  • Local governments will receive 5% of the sale.
  • An additional 10% will go to “hunting, fishing, and recreational amenities,” as well as to assist with a backlog of maintenance needs for BLM land locally.
  • Allows for $5 million to hire land appraisers to solicit and market the newly available land parcels.
  • The bill would expire in 2034.

Bill Opposition

Critics of the bill and its current revision are very vocal in their opposition. Groups like the Center for Western Priorities said that this bill still allows for the sale of many popular recreation sites. Some of these popular areas in Utah are available, like Sand Flats Recreation Area, Mill Creek, and the Moab Rim Trail.

Another concern is the worry that large businesses and corporations will move into these areas and build luxury resorts, increasing traffic and crowds.  If this did happen, it would not accomplish the original goal of addressing the housing shortage, as most of the Americans in need would not be able to outbid them.

Current Status

As of June 30, 2025, the public lands provision has been removed entirely from the bill.  According to Senator Lee, this was due to the difficulty in securing “safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold to only American families… and not to any foreign interests”.

Others say that this was a clear victory for the public, who made their opinions known.  The constant pressure applied through phone calls to their representatives and constant pressure to protect their public lands forced the removal of the provision.

My Take

There are obvious political lines that are drawn when bills are attempted to be passed. As a result, people tend to lean toward one side or the other on most topics. For some reason, this issue became a topic that people from both sides of the political spectrum found problematic.

Without disclosing my political views, I am pleased to see the public’s actions influencing policy and holding our lawmakers accountable for legislation that fully represents the will of their constituents.

Final Thoughts

As an outdoor enthusiast, National Park nerd, and camping dad, it is vitally important to me to protect these areas that make our country so special.

There is something magical about taking your family to a place that remains relatively untouched by modern society and immersing yourself in nature, even if it’s just for a few nights. Living in a country that values these things shows how great America is. Not only can we make our voices and opinions known, but we also have the luxury of having land protected simply for our enjoyment.