Overview

• The provision would compel the Interior and Agriculture departments to sell or transfer between 0.5% and 0.75% of Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service holdings over five years.
• Opposition has grown across party lines, with conservation groups and senators like Ryan Zinke opposing the measure over environmental and recreational concerns.
• A recent Co/efficient poll found that 75% of Americans oppose the permanent sale of public lands for development, including majorities of both Republicans and Democrats.
• Senator Mike Lee has defended the proposal as a way to expand housing and boost local economies by opening underused federal land.
• While national parks and designated wilderness areas are protected, popular trails, ski areas, wildlife corridors and grazing lands could be put up for auction.