Greater Yellowstone Coalition Encourages Senators to Unite Against Latest Public Land Grab Attempt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 26, 2025 

Contact:  
Emilie Ritter, eritter@greateryellowstone.org 

As the Senate considers a third proposal in a matter of days that would sell-off millions of acres of American public lands, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition is encouraging the six senators representing Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to unite and stand up for the public lands that drive our states’ economies, provide clean drinking water for millions of people, and critical wildlife habitat for Greater Yellowstone.  

“The threat to sell, privatize, and develop American public land is real and unprecedented,” said Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director Scott Christensen. “The elected leaders of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming must stand with the overwhelming number of hunters, anglers, conservationists, business owners, and community leaders who’ve said loud and clear – over and over again – that our public lands are not for sale. Senator Mike Lee’s first proposal to sell off public lands was a blatant giveaway to real estate developers, and this latest attempt isn’t any better. Public lands near communities and across the West cannot be replaced. The forests, trails, and favorite hunting, fishing, and camping areas that fuel local economies and provide critical wildlife habitat are not a bargaining chip or a commodity to be sold, fenced off, and privatized. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.”  

After the Senate’s rule keeper determined Sen. Lee’s initial proposal could not be included in a larger budget bill, the lawmaker released new details of his next attempt to sell-off 1.2 million acres of American public land across 11 western states. The new version excludes Forest Service lands but still targets Bureau of Land Management lands near a “population center” — a vague, undefined term that could apply to public lands virtually anywhere. 

While Montana remains excluded from the proposal, other key sections of land in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are included such as sections of BLM land along the world renowned Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in Idaho, land near trails and cherished open space south of Cody, Wyoming, parcels in and around the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area in Wyoming, and famed wildlife habitat on BLM land near Pinedale, Wyoming.

The Senate is expected to start voting later this week. GYC is asking Idahoans, Montanans and Wyomingites to write their senators, asking them to oppose this misguided and unpopular measure and reminding them that public lands belong to all Americans, not the highest bidder. 

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