On July 4th, President Trump signed the “Big and Beautiful Act,” which aimed to promote economic growth and tax reduction through the sale of public lands. However, the provision related to the sale of public lands, amounting to 25.5 trillion acres, was removed from the Senate proposal on June 30th, earlier than its removal from the House resolution.
According to the Wilderness Society website updated on June 16, the proposed 25.5 trillion acres of land for sale to private entities span across 11 Western states, including 79.49 million acres in Alaska, 33.58 million acres in Nevada, around 21.7 million acres each in Oregon and Idaho, among others.
California accounts for approximately 16.68 million acres of public land proposed for sale, including areas adjacent to landmarks like Yosemite National Park, Mount Shasta, Big Sur, and Lake Tahoe.
Within the constituency of California’s 3rd Congressional District represented by Congressman Kevin Kiley, the proposed sale includes areas encompassing both North and South Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
“My district boasts of unique resources, from the iconic landscapes of Death Valley to the ski slopes of the mountains, and the picturesque Lake Tahoe,” said Kiley in a congressional address. California manages some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country, covering seven national forests and numerous parks on millions of acres of public land.
He emphasized that these pristine areas provide clean water sources and air quality for California, offer employment opportunities for nearly 545,000 individuals, contribute essential tax revenues to communities, and provide recreational opportunities for millions of visitors annually.
“Therefore, any decision regarding the appropriation or disposal of these lands must be made only after thorough consultation with local residents. The communities most affected by the proposal must be willing to participate in any plans outlined by the federal government,” Kiley said. “I urge my colleagues to oppose any land plans that override the will of local communities and reject making decisions without prior consultation.”
On June 20th, Kiley and local leaders from the 3rd Congressional District issued a joint statement. Kiley stated, “Local government support is crucial to safeguarding these spaces and ensuring policies benefit the people we represent.” He emphasized that he would not support legislation that excludes local leaders’ involvement in these significant decisions.
Julie Regan, Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), mentioned that Congress collaborated with local governments to reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in 2024, which aimed to protect the land and clearly conveyed that Lake Tahoe is not for sale.
Cindy Gustafson, Supervisor of Placer County, stated, “Local and regional governments should not be downgraded to advisory roles concerning decisions involving the sale of federal lands.” She added, “Economic affordable housing is a collective goal, but the proposal does not significantly advance this objective, placing local governments in a passive position.”
Brooke Laine, Supervisor of El Dorado County, emphasized, “Lake Tahoe is not for sale! We strongly urge the Senate to remove this clause from the reconciliation bill and instead work with local governments and indigenous tribes to formulate reasonable land policies to achieve our common goal of promoting housing construction while preserving our natural resources.”
A resident from Kiley’s constituency commented online, “This is one of the most beautiful places, but it faces significant threats and negative impacts […] Small businesses rely on tourism and the gift of our public lands; I hope that legislators can do everything in their power to defend them. If the land is destroyed or sold, it can never be restored.”
Environmental protection organizations also oppose the sale of these lands. Some experts argue that selling Western lands to private entities will endanger endangered species, increase the risk of wildfires, have impacts on water, air quality, and the environment, and put pressure on infrastructure.
The provision to sell land was proposed by Mike Lee, a Republican U.S. Senator from Utah and Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He believes that some public lands have been poorly managed and that selling these lands could promote economic growth and housing construction in the American West, potentially bringing up to $100 billion in fiscal revenue to the federal government.
Amidst numerous objections, Lee announced on June 30th the removal of the provision allowing the sale of public lands for economic affordable housing and infrastructure in the “Big and Beautiful Act.” In his statement of withdrawal, Lee mentioned, “Due to the strict constraints of the budget reconciliation process, I cannot guarantee clear and enforceable safeguards to ensure that these lands are only sold to American families and not to China, BlackRock, or any foreign interest groups.”
BlackRock is one of the world’s largest asset management companies, overseeing assets totaling $11.5 trillion as of 2024. However, BlackRock has been criticized and investigated for investments involving fossil fuels, arms, Chinese military enterprises, and human rights violations by Chinese companies.