Scenic America strongly supports the formation of the new bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Mike Simpson (R-ID), with the leadership of Reps. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT). This caucus comes at a critical moment, as proposals to sell off federally protected public lands to fund housing development gain traction in congressional budget talks.

Public lands are a cornerstone of America’s natural heritage, scenic beauty, outdoor recreation economy, and environmental resilience. These lands belong to the American people, not to developers or special interests, and their protection transcends partisan politics. We commend the caucus for taking a firm stand against the reckless idea of using public land sales as a budget gimmick.

Selling off even “small parcels” of public land around urban centers risks setting a dangerous precedent. Once these lands are gone, they are gone forever. At a time when we should be investing in conservation, restoration, and equitable public access, weakening protections for our public lands in the name of short-term revenue is the wrong approach.

“America’s public lands are key to preserving the scenic beauty that defines our nation’s character,” said Scenic America President Mark Falzone. “These lands are held in trust for all Americans and must be kept for future generations. Their protection is essential not only for our environment, but for our cultural identity and quality of life.”

Scenic America applauds the members of the Public Lands Caucus for reaffirming a long-standing bipartisan commitment to protecting America’s scenic and public spaces. We urge Congress to reject any attempt to sell or transfer federal public lands and instead work toward innovative, sustainable solutions that preserve our shared landscapes for future generations.