[puzzlr]

I'm sure many of you have gotten similar notices from one of the many conservation organizations about a recent federal lands rule change. Most issues, including this one, are not totally black and white. Some recent threads here have debated the pros and cons of federal vs state ownership of public land. But in spite of having lots of complaints about how the federal agencies manage our land, I think it's preferable to having a piecemeal approach state by state with much less consistency. Here's one link that let's you speak up. It really matters. House rules change devalues our public lands

[MyFootHurts]

What is this "owned by the people" propaganda they keep pushing? The land is owned by whatever agency manages it. Go camp in the Enchantments without a permit and tell the ranger how you own it and let us know how it goes. Interstate 5 is "public land", do I get to own it too?

[puzzlr]

I agree that there is hype and some scare tactic language in these alerts. A phrase like "our lands" is similar to "our taxes", and easy to pick apart if you get literal, but it's pretty clear the sense in which it's used. This issue is about whether federal lands should be transferred to the states and this rule change is a small step that makes that easier to do. Maybe you don't see that as a problem, and that's fine.

[fairweather friend]

Yeah, I know, some think the Washington Post is just another "fake news site," but here's this: House rules change would make it easier to sell off federal lands

[Waterman]

Thanks for pointing this out. Will be calling my congressman tomorrow. If you hike, fish, hunt or enjoy doing any activity on our federal lands please call your congressman. To reach the congressional switch board call 202 225 3121 All they need is your zip code to connect you to your representative. Please call.

[JVesquire]

MyFootHurts: you've obviously never really enjoyed the benefits of public land. When traveling around the west, I never make a reservation, for a hotel or a campground. I have a few maps with all the public land and know I can always just pull off somewhere pretty easily and find a place to put my tent. We own this land in the sense that there are no "no trespassing" signs telling us we can't walk, camp, fish or hunt there. If you think it's cool to sell that stuff off to the states, some of which will sell it off to the highest bidder, feel free to say so.

[joker]

Exactly. And just think of the Enchantments as a time share

[drm]

Why do some people think that owning something means you get to do whatever you want in it and to it without concern for the other owners? If you live in a house with other people, I certainly hope you take their interests and concerns into account. Federal agencies manage the land we own based on laws passed by our representatives (I won't get into the problems with elections for choosing those representatives here, but they are our representatives). Of course we don't always like the rules that are passed or adopted - because we don't own it alone. And some times the rules aren't even followed. That's why we have courts, and can change our representatives. But we do own it and I do use the land we own quite a bit, as do most of the people posting here.

[NacMacFeegle]

If the GOP cared about long term economic success they would be advocating more protections for public lands, rather than selling them off and exploiting them for finite resources! They're Kleptocrats - willing to sacrifice anything to remain in power and to fill their coffers. Over the next 4 years everyone is going to have to do their part to fight for the very existence of our public lands.