Governors of Western states give mixed reactions to proposed federal
land sell-off
[June 24, 2025] By
MORGAN LEE
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Republican-sponsored proposal before Congress to
mandate the sale of federal public lands received a mixed reception
Monday from the governors of Western states.
A budget proposal from Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee would mandate the
sale of more than 3,125 square miles (8,093 square kilometers) of
federal lands to state or other entities. It was included recently in a
draft provision of the GOP’s sweeping tax cut package.
At a summit Monday of Western state governors, New Mexico Gov. Michelle
Lujan Grisham said the approach is problematic in New Mexico because of
the close relationship residents have with those public lands.
“I'm open” to the idea, said Lujan Grisham, a second-term Democratic
governor and former congresswoman. “Except here.”
“Our public lands, we have a very strong relationship with the openness,
and they belong to all of us,” said Lujan Grisham, who was announcing
written recommendations Monday on affordable housing strategies from the
Western Governors’ Association. “And selling that to the private sector
without a process, without putting New Mexicans first, is, for at least
for me as a governor, going to be problematic.”
Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum was among the leaders from
several federal agencies who attended the meeting that runs through
Tuesday. He has touted the many potential uses for public lands that
include recreation, logging and oil and gas production, saying it could
boost local economies.
Several hundred protesters in downtown Santa Fe denounced efforts that
might privatize federal public lands, chanting “not for sale” and
carrying signs reading “This land belongs to you and me” and “keep our
public land free for future generations.”
[to top of second column] |
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, center, watched by
Governors Larry Rodin of South Dakota, right, and Jared Polis of
Colorado, talks about priorities for affordable housing and public
lands in Santa Fe, N.M., on Monday, June 23, 2025, at a meeting of
the Western Governor's Association. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
 Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon voiced
qualified support for plans to tap federal land for development.
“On a piece-by-piece basis where states have the opportunity to
craft policies that make sense ... we can actually allow for some
responsible growth in areas with communities that are landlocked at
this point,” he said at a news conference outside the Georgia
O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. “There may be value there.”
Lee has said federal land sales under his proposal would target
“isolated parcels” that could be used for housing or infrastructure,
and would not include national parks, national monuments or
wilderness.
Land in 11 Western states from Alaska to New Mexico would be
eligible for sale. Montana was carved out of the proposal after its
lawmakers objected.
In some states, such as Utah and Nevada, the government controls the
vast majority of lands, protecting them from potential exploitation
but hindering growth.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
