Senate Budget Reconciliation Bill - Public Lands Sale, Methow Valley

[Go_Easy]

I saw a map today of the BLM and USFS lands proposed for sale across the west and it was A LOT of land, I didn't think it was possible. I did a quick google and found the interactive map of proposed lands for sale. I was shocked to see that almost the entire Okanogan National Forest, spare the wilderness areas, is proposed to be potentially sold off if the budget bill passes. This would dramatically change Methow life, and invite private interests to pillage what makes this area a remarkable place to live. I truly can't believe the audacity of this proposal. We cannot let this happen. See for yourself.

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=821970f0212d46d7aa854718aac42310

Joe - East Side Road

[Reapward]

Thanks for the info. This has to go back to the House, I believe. There were a number of Republicans against this. Many sports people, like hunters, fisher people, etc as well as recreationists will fight this. Letters to Murray, Cantwell and even Newhouse and our very local representatives.
Executive orders are not laws.

[Slade]

I would propose that our representatives that are already opposed to this sale notify any potential buyers that they will be required to return any properties acquired in the same condition as they were before the sale, once the current administration is gone.

And no, they won't get their money back.

Bob
Twisp

[btavery]

I work on these issues daily and Joe’s initial comment is right on. We, here in the Methow, are surrounded by public lands that are extremely vulnerable to *permanent* sell-off if this “big beautiful bill” passes the Senate in its current form. The money would all go to pay for tax cuts mostly for corporations and extremely wealthy folks.

Our senators are vehemently against the proposal, so I encourage folks to call and write to Dan Newhouse. He is a crucial player because he was a part of the “public lands caucus” that helped nix a similar proposal when the US House passed their version of this bill a few weeks ago. I don’t typically side with Newhouse, but he was good on this issue. We all should be asking Newhouse to keep up his leadership on public lands protection and make public statements that this massive sell-off is dealbreaker for him.

[SteveNewman]

bt, have written/will write but these are different times and profiles in courage (or even self-interest sometimes) are - er....um....- somewhat scarce in a certain party. I truly and sincerely hope I am being too pessimistic. Danny Westneat has a good column in today's Seattle Times touching on this.

[Confluence]

The Confluence gallery is hosting a postcard writing event on Tuesday June 24th 5-7pm; writing prompts and materials will be provided. Let's use our voices to speak up against this bill as a community and let our senators and reps know our public lands are not for sale

[btavery]

If anyone’s itching to learn more and take actions, I’m hosting a 4-state call on this tonight. It’s a zoom thing at 5pm.

https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000vZbyLIAS&mapLinkHref=

[imageneen]

A polite person answers the phone at Congressman Newhouse's DC office. It's easy to leave a comment: (202) 225-5816

Sending an email to the congressman takes a bit longer:
the link is newhouse dot house dot gov