PAF
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2012
- Messages
- 13,559
[snip]
May 7, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans added a provision to their sweeping tax cut package authorizing sales of hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah, prompting outrage from Democrats and environmentalists who called it a betrayal that could lead to drilling, mining and logging in sensitive areas.
Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee adopted the land sales proposal early Wednesday morning. The initial draft had not included it amid bipartisan opposition.
The land sale provision was put forward by Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah.
The parcels could be used for economic development, mining and infrastructure projects such as the expansion of an airport and a reservoir in Utah, according to local officials and plans for the areas.
Some sites would be considered for affordable housing, which is much needed in fast-growing parts of Nevada.
The sites include up to 200,000 acres (80,000 hectares) in Clark County Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, according to Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. That’s less than 1% of more than 50 million acres (20 million hectares) of federal land overall in the state.
Colorado Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd voted against the provision.
Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican and former Interior secretary in the first Trump administration, had said before the vote that he was drawing a “red line” on federal land sales.
“It’s a no now. It will be a no later. It will be a no forever,’' said Zinke, whose state includes large parcels of federally owned lands. He is not on the Natural Resources Committee but his office said he would oppose any legislation to sell lands that reaches the House floor.
Asked about the land sale provisions, Zinke said he understood frustrations over restrictions on logging and mineral extraction. But he indicated federal lands should remain under government management.
Full story:
apnews.com
May 7, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans added a provision to their sweeping tax cut package authorizing sales of hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah, prompting outrage from Democrats and environmentalists who called it a betrayal that could lead to drilling, mining and logging in sensitive areas.
Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee adopted the land sales proposal early Wednesday morning. The initial draft had not included it amid bipartisan opposition.
The land sale provision was put forward by Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah.
The parcels could be used for economic development, mining and infrastructure projects such as the expansion of an airport and a reservoir in Utah, according to local officials and plans for the areas.
Some sites would be considered for affordable housing, which is much needed in fast-growing parts of Nevada.
The sites include up to 200,000 acres (80,000 hectares) in Clark County Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, according to Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. That’s less than 1% of more than 50 million acres (20 million hectares) of federal land overall in the state.
Colorado Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd voted against the provision.
Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican and former Interior secretary in the first Trump administration, had said before the vote that he was drawing a “red line” on federal land sales.
“It’s a no now. It will be a no later. It will be a no forever,’' said Zinke, whose state includes large parcels of federally owned lands. He is not on the Natural Resources Committee but his office said he would oppose any legislation to sell lands that reaches the House floor.
Asked about the land sale provisions, Zinke said he understood frustrations over restrictions on logging and mineral extraction. But he indicated federal lands should remain under government management.
Full story:
House Republicans push to sell hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in the West
House Republicans have added a provision to their sweeping tax cut package that would authorize the sale of hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah.
apnews.com
