SCI Opposes Public Lands Sales That Harm Our Hunting Heritage
SCI unequivocally opposes language from the recent federal budget reconciliation process proposing the sale of federal public lands in the Western United States.
SCI vigorously supports access to federal public lands for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other outdoor pursuits. The Senate proposal threatens this access.
SCI acknowledges the importance of providing affordable housing and other services to American families, as well as the challenges faced by communities in states with high levels of federal land ownership. Furthermore, SCI has previously engaged in numerous lawsuits challenging federal landowners that have not supported state wildlife management authority or arbitrarily reduced hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and access rights. But federal lands provide extensive wildlife habitat and recreational access. Sale of these lands cannot be conducted without adequate safeguards for protecting hunting, fishing, and other access. Nor should any such sale occur unless the proceeds are reinvested in conservation.
Accordingly, SCI opposes any land sales that do not incorporate:
- A thorough review of the recreational and ecological values of any land proposed for sale.
- A public process involving both residents and the broader sporting community.
- Consideration of other options such as land transfers or exchanges.
- A process by which proceeds from any such sales, if they occur, be set aside for conservation.
To protect America’s hunting heritage, SCI encourages Members of Congress to reconsider using the budget reconciliation process as a vehicle for land sales. If Congress determines that there are some public lands for which potential sale is appropriate, lawmakers should consider other options available to them, including developing a separate bill creating broader public engagement and evaluation of compliance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and Federal Lands Transaction Facilitation Act, to serve that purpose.
Federal public lands are of critical importance to protect wildlife populations and their habitats. Congress must prioritize these values in the current debate.