Sale of Public Lands Plan Abandoned
Congressman abandons H.R. 621, which would have seized millions of acres of public lands and waters
Following pressure from hunters, anglers, and numerous sportsmen groups and businesses, Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced last night his decision to abandon H.R. 621, legislation that would have mandated the sale of more than 3 million acres of public lands in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming.
Chaffetz posted this on Instagram: “I am withdrawing HR 621. I’m a proud gun owner, hunter and love our public lands. The bill would have disposed of small parcels of lands Pres. Clinton identified as serving no public purpose but groups I support and care about fear it sends the wrong message. The bill was originally introduced several years ago. I look forward to working with you. I hear you and HR 621 dies tomorrow.”
Battle won, war not over
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney responded to the congressman’s decision: “Representative Chaffetz should never have introduced this ill-conceived bill, but the instant and overwhelming response by sportsmen and women forced him to listen and ultimately abandon H.R. 621, which would have seized millions of acres of public lands. His fellow lawmakers should take note of the ire and rapid response by hunters and anglers. We aren’t going away.
“Unfortunately there are those who will continue to perpetrate bad deals like this one. American hunters and anglers will be there every step of the way.
“Mr. Chaffetz took the first step. Now he needs to kill H.R. 622, the Local Enforcement for Local Lands Act, which would eliminate hundreds of critical law enforcement jobs with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Our law enforcement officers are on the front lines of conservation and already do more with less. Let’s give them the resources they need to do their jobs.
“The millions of sportsmen who stepped up in recent days deserve our unreserved thanks. The battle is won, but the war is far from over.” —courtesy Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
