BCHA ACTION ALERT!
Return of the Great Public Lands Heist
Congress may soon approve selling off a portion of federal public lands as a means to offset
revenue lost to proposed tax cuts. BCHA believes that this is a dangerous idea—an idea that
puts the future of all our public lands at risk. This position is consistent with BCHA’s mission: “To
work to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.”
Take Action!
Please call your representative in Congress to ask that they never use public lands as quick
cash to offset tax cuts or spending packages. The national heritage afforded by our public lands
is not for sale. You can find contact information for your representative here.
BCHA has provided recommended talking points for your message to lawmakers at the end of
this Action Alert. BUT WAIT! PLEASE FIRST READ THE GOOD NEWS, BELOW.
The Good News:
A bipartisan group of US representatives recently formed to oppose the widespread sale or
transfer of federal public lands. It’s called the Public Lands Caucus and is led by Reps. Ryan
Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM). To date, it includes members from AZ, CA, CO, ID,
MI, NC, NV, VA and WA.
Take Action!
If your representative is a member of the Public Lands Caucus, please call their office to thank
them. Let them know that you agree—public lands should not be put on the auction block; public
lands should remain “in public hands.” For a complete list of caucus members, scroll to the end
of the link provided above.
Background:
Some in Congress are currently eyeing federal public lands like a piggy bank that, once broken
open to offset federal spending, would not be replaced. This is unnecessary because several
existing laws allow the federal government to sell, lease or exchange select public lands for
purposes such as recreational use or community growth. Importantly, these laws require public
engagement and discussion of tradeoffs, including those related to recreational access.
Last week, the House Committee on Natural Resources voted to approve a “budget resolution”
that, if approved by the full House of Representatives and the US Senate, would be impossible
to unwind. Plus, the proposal provides no opportunity for public discussion about tradeoffs and
ongoing public access. To the contrary, some members of Congress worked these proposals
behind closed doors, thereby preventing the public from having a say about their public lands.
Selling off public lands for short-term financial gain to the US Treasury threatens public access,
our enjoyment of public lands, and the Nation’s growing outdoor recreation economy. Once
public lands are sold or exchanged, the public won’t get them back. BCHA therefore urges its
member/volunteers to sound off on this issue now—before this terrible precedent is cemented in the annual budgeting process.
We’ve Seen this Before:
In 2015 and 2016, BCH states voted unanimously to pass resolutions that BCHA:
…“go on record in opposition of any plan, action or legislation for the conveyance, sale or
transfer of management authority of public lands managed by the United States Departments of
Interior and Agriculture.”
For background information at the time of these resolutions, use this link.
Prepare to Contact Your Representative
1. Consider talking points provided under either option A or option B, below. Most likely you
will be asked to leave a recorded message for your representative.
2. Find the phone number of your representative here by entering your zip code (and
mailing address, if necessary).
3. Click on your representative’s name in the link provided in order to bring up their House
of Representatives website.
4. Typically, you can either scroll to the bottom of the landing page or click on “Contact” in
the menu to see a listing of offices locations.
You can call either their local (district) office or their Washington DC office. Bonus points if you
call and leave a message at both numbers!
Recommended Talking Points for Calls to Your US Representative:
Option A
If your representative in Congress is listed among those on new Public Lands Caucus, please
consider conveying the following message:
a. My name is (name) and I live in (town or area). Thank you for being a member of the
Public Lands Caucus.
b. I’m a member of Back Country Horsemen of (state) and I love and use public lands. In
fact, I volunteer to keep trails and horse camps open on public lands.
c. Public lands are a part of our legacy and heritage as Americans.
d. I agree with you, we must do everything we can to keep public lands in public hands.
Above all, we must not sell them or transfer them as a way to pay for tax cuts or reduce
the deficit.
e. Thank you for championing our public lands.
f. I can be reached at (phone number).
Option B
If your representative in Congress is NOT listed among those on new Public Lands Caucus,
please consider conveying the following message:
a. My name is (name) and I live in (town or area). I encourage my representative to
become a member of the Public Lands Caucus.
b. I’m a member of Back Country Horsemen of (state) and I love and use public lands. In
fact, I volunteer to keep trails and horse camps open on public lands.
c. Public lands are a part of our legacy and heritage as Americans.
d. We must do everything we can to keep public lands in public hands. Above all, we must
not sell them or transfer them as a way to pay for tax cuts or reduce the deficit.
e. Thank you for considering this request.
f. I can be reached at (phone number).
BCHA thanks you for Taking Action!