V2N30: Keep Public Lands Public
Idaho's Delegation is Not Who you Should be Contacting
I emailed the wrong people.
When I heard that Adam’s Gulch was on the list of lands that could be sold, I wanted to do something. So I clicked on the link in the email I got from Conservation Voters Idaho and generated emails to our senators. I could have done the same thing with the emails I got from Winter Wildlands, Project Bigwood, WRTC, and the other half dozen I received, making it easy for me to express my frustration.
I felt so good about myself that I send an email to my friends asking them to do the same thing.
Then I did the research.
I found out our senators have issued statements that they are against the sale of public lands. So is Simpson. EXCELLENT.
Sen. Jim Risch
“After reviewing the Senate Energy and Natural Resources reconciliation language, I do not support the proposed provision to sell public lands.”
— Official statement, June 20, 2025 (risch.senate.gov)
Sen. Mike Crapo
“Senator Mike Crapo has said he does not support transferring public lands to private ownership. He is reviewing details of the proposal as he considers the full reconciliation bill.”
— Spokesperson, June 20, 2025 (nwsportsmanmag.com, kivitv.com)
Rep. Mike Simpson
“Public lands were set aside for public use, and we have a responsibility to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the same benefits… Transferring or selling them is not the answer.”
— Press release on the Public Lands in Public Hands Act, April 9, 2025 (idahoconservation.org, simpson.house.gov)
Fulcher is the problem guy for Idaho. If you want to hit an Idaho guy, hit him: https://fulcher.house.gov/
The three senators who matter on this bill are:
So, if hitting Idaho senators isn’t incrementally helpful, and we want to try to move this vote, who should we barrage with these emails?
Sen. Mike Lee (R‑UT) – Chair, Energy & Natural Resources
Primary sponsor of the land-sale language.
Contact through his official form via his web page lee.senate.gov
Or use his campaign email: info@leeforsenate.com leeforsenate.com
Sen. John Thune (R‑SD) – Senate Majority Leader
Controls the Senate floor agenda.
Use his website’s contact form for policy issues thune.senate.gov
Also email his campaign office at friends@johnthune.com
Sen. John Cornyn (R‑TX) – Senate Majority Whip
Responsible for vote-counting and managing party discipline.
Fill out the “Share Your Opinion” form on his site cornyn.senate.gov
Or call his D.C. office: 202‑224‑2934
Below is the email I sent them. You can doctor it up anyway that speaks to you.
Subject: Please Remove Public-Land Sale Provision from Reconciliation Bill
Dear Senator [Lee/Thune/Cornyn],
I’m writing as a concerned American opposed to the land-sale provision included in the current reconciliation package. Selling off public lands undermines our outdoor heritage, jeopardizes tourism economies, and sets a dangerous precedent of privatizing assets meant to belong to every American.
Given the widespread bipartisan support for public lands across the West—and your responsibility as a Senate leader—I respectfully urge you to:
Remove the land-sale provision
Reject attempts to fund reconciliation through transferring public ownership.
I strongly believe maintaining these lands as part of the public trust is critical for future generations.
Thank you for your public service,
[Your Name]
[City, State]
Some Perspective: It’s Very Bad
For The Next Time
The next time I want to weigh in on an issue before Congress, I am going to do the research to see specifically who has the power to make that change, and then target them, in addition to my own representatives.
It was not a mistake or waste of time to contact Risch, Crappo and Simpson. Prior to their official announcements yesterday, you would have received an email reply with non-committal politician speak that did not come out and say they were against the public land sell-off. I think that the public pressure from their constituents either helped shape their views or gave them enough confidence to announce their opposition which goes against the current administration's goal of transferring as much wealth and power away from the working class American as possible.
I agree that we should also contact the 3 other members who have more to do with pushing this bullshit through. Thank you for sharing their contact information.
If this thing does pass.....It is my understanding that local governments will be given the first right of refusal. If that is correct, then our commissioners should be ready and able to acquire the land, ensuring local control. If that is not the case, or we cannot acquire the land, the commissioners could regulate any development ideas out of existence. Thank goodness for the mountain overlay hillside ordinance. I am pressed to think of any public land that is not in the red avalanche zone.
It is so ridiculous that the average sale price is about $3,000 per acre and that the .5% that will go to local communities amounts to about $15 per acre. This whole thing is disgusting.