The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee introduced their budget reconciliation bill language which mandates the sale of up to approximately 3 million acres of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
This includes over 5 million acres in Washington State, including swaths in the Olympics, Cascades, Yakima River Canyon, and beyond.
Map of Public Lands at Risk in the West
A provision in the budget reconciliation sidesteps the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act – a bipartisan law designed to ensure revenue generated from public land sales benefits public access and conservation, not cover budget shortfalls.
Our public lands are vital areas for birds and other wildlife. In may cases, they are the largest remaining tracts of habitat available for wildlife. Public lands also benefit us by providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands in Washington support rare bird species like the Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, Black-backed Woodpecker, Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle. Well-managed public lands are critically important to the protection of the state’s exceptional biodiversity. Native birds and habitats may be on the auction block, threatening the very integrity of the ecosystems on which we all depend.
Make Your Voice Heard
The Spokane Audubon Society is encouraging its members to contact their members of Congress immediately. Tell them that our nation's public lands and waters are among our greatest assets, and they are not for sale! Your message does not need to be technical or detailed, you can simply say that you care about wildlife and enjoy the benefits public lands bring to your life.
Contact your members of Congress at these links:
