DESPICABLE: Republicans Move To Sell Off 3.3 Million Acres Of National Land

[xband]

The rough beauty of the American West seems as far as you can get from the polished corridors of power in Washington DC. Until you look at the title to the land. The federal government owns large tracts of the western states: from a low of 29.9% in Montana, already more than the national average, up to a whopping 84.5% in Nevada.

This map, depicting the distribution and share of federal land per state, was first published on this blog way back in 2008. Nevertheless, it keeps accumulating comments and hits at a steady pace, and is still frequently shared around. Unlike hundreds of other random maps, this one has become a perennial. That raises an interesting question for map geeks like yours truly: Which nerve, exactly, does this map strike with the Great Online Public?

Let's start with the most obvious answer: the map is stunningly effective at bringing home its message. And that message is: Federal land ownership out west is huge.

The western states got screwed, blued and tattooed in the federal land grab. Thanks for the map and percentages and but not realize that the federal land grab was that big.

 

[bripat9643]

There is no reason why we need the federal government managing state land. The states are perfectly capable of doing this themselves

Sure. By slaughtering the wolves.

Huh?

 

[xband]

There is no reason why we need the federal government managing state land. The states are perfectly capable of doing this themselves

Sure. By slaughtering the wolves.

Huh?

Wolves have three times the bite strength of dogs and wolves are 15% smarter than dogs. Why bring the wolves back from near extinction?

 

[Toro]

Sell it to the highest bidder.

Use the proceeds to pay down debt.

The government - federal or state - shouldn't own so much land anyways.

 

[owebo]

Bears Ears National Monument

Land totaling the size of Connecticut has been targeted in a new bill in the Republican House, uniting hunters and conservationists in opposition.

Now that Republicans have quietly drawn a path to give away much of Americans’ public land, US representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah has introduced what the Wilderness Society is calling “step two” in the GOP’s plan to offload federal property.

The new piece of legislation would direct the interior secretary to immediately sell off an area of public land the size of Connecticut. In a press release for House Bill 621, Chaffetz, a Tea Party Republican, claimed that the 3.3m acres of national land, maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), served “no purpose for taxpayers”.

But many in the 10 states that would lose federal land in the bill disagree, and public land rallies in opposition are bringing together environmentalists and sportsmen across the west.

Set aside for mixed use, BLM land is leased for oil, gas and timber, but is also open to campers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. As well as providing corridors for gray wolves and grizzly bears, low-lying BLM land often makes up the winter pasture for big game species, such as elk, pronghorn and big-horned sheep.

Jason Amaro, who represents the south-west chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, describes the move as a land grab.

Much More: DESPICABLE: Republicans Move To Sell Off 3.3 Million Acres Of National Land

This is wrong! This is stealing part of America's public heritage for private ownership and use! This must be stopped.

Only 3.3 million Acres? I'm disappointed.....we need to put that baby into high gear....

 

[Toro]

Giving the land back to the states is one thing - but selling it for "private" ownership is quite another.

You have any clue how many times in the History of the United States that we sold land for private ownership?

Are we going to sell it all for private ownership? What about Yellowstone? Shouldn't citizens have access to enjoy camping, hunting, hiking, fishing on these public lands? Or will they all end up being owned by the rich with NO TRESPASSING signs and guards?

The government doesn't need to sell all the land. Just a lot of it. The government can keep the nice parts, like Yellowstone.

 

[Frankeneinstein]

Bears Ears National Monument

Land totaling the size of Connecticut has been targeted in a new bill in the Republican House, uniting hunters and conservationists in opposition.

Now that Republicans have quietly drawn a path to give away much of Americans’ public land, US representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah has introduced what the Wilderness Society is calling “step two” in the GOP’s plan to offload federal property.

The new piece of legislation would direct the interior secretary to immediately sell off an area of public land the size of Connecticut. In a press release for House Bill 621, Chaffetz, a Tea Party Republican, claimed that the 3.3m acres of national land, maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), served “no purpose for taxpayers”.

But many in the 10 states that would lose federal land in the bill disagree, and public land rallies in opposition are bringing together environmentalists and sportsmen across the west.

Set aside for mixed use, BLM land is leased for oil, gas and timber, but is also open to campers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. As well as providing corridors for gray wolves and grizzly bears, low-lying BLM land often makes up the winter pasture for big game species, such as elk, pronghorn and big-horned sheep.

Jason Amaro, who represents the south-west chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, describes the move as a land grab.

Much More: DESPICABLE: Republicans Move To Sell Off 3.3 Million Acres Of National Land

This is wrong! This is stealing part of America's public heritage for private ownership and use! This must be stopped.

Get'em tiger

 

[Vastator]

For those screaming that the Feds should just "give" the land to the states;
you should consider the burden of cost to the states to manage the land. Some states simply could not afford to shoulder the burden. Secondly; in private hands these lands will generate tax revenue for the effected states. That equals a win for the taxpayers of those states.

 

[BluesLegend]

Government could give 1 acre to every man, woman, and child in America and still have 300 million acres left over.

 

[Tom Horn]

For those screaming that the Feds should just "give" the land to the states;
you should consider the burden of cost to the states to manage the land. Some states simply could not afford to shoulder the burden. Secondly; in private hands these lands will generate tax revenue for the effected states. That equals a win for the taxpayers of those states.

Well advertised public auctions would create a land rush like the Oklahoma days....the word "Sooner" came from those who jumped the gun at the start line. Large tracts would be bought up by developers and corporate ranchers so you'd have to do set-asides in small tracts for small investors. There's enough land to raise TRILLION$ and send the funds straight to national debt reduction. We'd only get one shot at this so it has to be well-planned and done right. The National park attractions, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc would be left alone. Barry's last-gasp land grabs were done by EO and must be reversed....they were just part of the turd pile he left on his way out. I thought this would never happen but by golly it looks like it could.

 

[hadit]

Bears Ears National Monument

Land totaling the size of Connecticut has been targeted in a new bill in the Republican House, uniting hunters and conservationists in opposition.

Now that Republicans have quietly drawn a path to give away much of Americans’ public land, US representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah has introduced what the Wilderness Society is calling “step two” in the GOP’s plan to offload federal property.

The new piece of legislation would direct the interior secretary to immediately sell off an area of public land the size of Connecticut. In a press release for House Bill 621, Chaffetz, a Tea Party Republican, claimed that the 3.3m acres of national land, maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), served “no purpose for taxpayers”.

But many in the 10 states that would lose federal land in the bill disagree, and public land rallies in opposition are bringing together environmentalists and sportsmen across the west.

Set aside for mixed use, BLM land is leased for oil, gas and timber, but is also open to campers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. As well as providing corridors for gray wolves and grizzly bears, low-lying BLM land often makes up the winter pasture for big game species, such as elk, pronghorn and big-horned sheep.

Jason Amaro, who represents the south-west chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, describes the move as a land grab.

Much More: DESPICABLE: Republicans Move To Sell Off 3.3 Million Acres Of National Land

This is wrong! This is stealing part of America's public heritage for private ownership and use! This must be stopped.

"Give away" or sell? Can you make up your mind?

 

[Toro]

Government could give 1 acre to every man, woman, and child in America and still have 300 million acres left over.

I want that one acre in Manhattan.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Republicans hate this country.

The only hate I've been seeing lately is from you and those of like mind. You've been stewing in it since the election like a bunch of bratty children because someone took your lollipop from you.

 

[Yousaidwhat]

FINALLY! Want to knock down the national debt? The freaks want to know they can drive a Prius through the west and see NOTHING but rocks and sage brush. SCREW THEM! SELL US OUR LAND AND BUTT OUT OF OUR LIVES.

Has anyone noticed that the bastions of extreme liberalism have very little surfaces of Federal ownership?

 

[JimBowie1958]

There is no reason why we need the federal government managing state land. The states are perfectly capable of doing this themselves

Few people realize how much land the Feds own in the West.

Here is a map, folks.

 

[JimBowie1958]

FINALLY! Want to knock down the national debt? The freaks want to know they can drive a Prius through the west and see NOTHING but rocks and sage brush. SCREW THEM! SELL US OUR LAND AND BUTT OUT OF OUR LIVES.

Well, the LEft Coast has a lot of federali owned land too, but yes, for the most part, the blue states have little federali owned land.

 

[Lakhota]

Republicans are evil.

House GOP Overturns Rule Protecting Waterways From Mining

 

[Vastator]

Republicans are evil.

House GOP Overturns Rule Protecting Waterways From Mining

We dine on kittens, and wash them down with liberal tears...

 

[Avatar4321]

If selling land is despicable, you might be a Marxist

 

[LogikAndReazon]

A paltry sum considering the fed owns 640 million acres, or 28% of all land in the U.S.

Obscene