In a recent opinion piece, David Lien emphasizes the critical importance of America's public lands, which encompass 640 million acres and serve as a shared resource owned by all citizens. He highlights the outdoor recreation industry's significant economic impact in Colorado, which generated $13.9 billion in 2022 and supported nearly 130,000 jobs. Lien argues that public lands are integral to American identity, a sentiment echoed by Ryan Busse, former chair of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), who asserts that these lands are vital to the nation's character. Hal Herring further argues that the future of public lands is as crucial as the Bill of Rights.
Lien critiques a December 26 Wall Street Journal op-ed that advocates for selling public lands, referencing historical attempts to do so dating back to Theodore Roosevelt. He warns against the dangers of such proposals, noting that they undermine the collective ownership and stewardship of these lands. Joel Webster from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership also cautions against selling public lands, recalling past unsuccessful attempts to privatize these vital resources. Tracy Stone-Manning, a former director of the BLM, emphasizes that public lands serve as equalizers for all citizens, providing access to nature and recreation.
The call to action is clear: as Lien concludes, "It’s now or never" for the protection of these lands. Edward Abbey's quote underscores the urgency of taking action to safeguard America's public lands for future generations. This sentiment resonates strongly in light of ongoing discussions about land use and conservation, particularly in the context of recent developments in solar energy projects across the West, where the BLM has made significant areas available for utility-scale solar development while balancing environmental protections. [3cdf2e2d]