June 30th, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 28, 2026
Contact:
media@backcountryhunters.org
Public Land Sell-Off in Senate Defeated After National Uprising by Hunters, Anglers, Public Land Advocates
Proposal collapses under weight of bipartisan pushback, grassroots outcry, and parliamentarian ruling
Washington, D.C.—Today, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, North America’s leading public lands advocacy group, is celebrating the announcement that Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) controversial public lands disposal provision has been formally withdrawn from the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill. This reversal follows a wave of national opposition—led by BHA members and supporters across all 50 states—who mobilized and kept the pressure on for weeks.
“This win belongs to the hunters, anglers, and public landowners who stood up and said loud and clear: Our lands are not for sale,” said Patrick Berry, BHA President and CEO. “BHA members flooded the phone lines, sent emails, rallied their communities, and kept the pressure on until this provision was pulled. We didn’t just show up—we led the charge.”
In a single day of action on June 25, BHA supporters delivered more than 33,148 messages to Congress—a record-breaking outpouring that pushed the org’s total number of grassroots actions taken since May to 137,000 and helped make this proposal politically untenable.
From small-town fly shops and family-run gear companies to industry giants and conservation influencers, BHA’s partners joined forces to amplify the call — and elected officials across the aisle took notice.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Representative Ryan Zinke for his unrelenting leadership throughout this fight on behalf of hunters and anglers along with Representatives Mike Simpson, Dan Newhouse, Cliff Bentz, and David Valadao for recognizing that this public land sale provision was unacceptable,” said Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations for BHA. “We also applaud Senators Steve Daines, Tim Sheehy, Jim Risch, and Mike Crapo for taking a stand in defense of America’s public lands legacy as well as Senator Martin Heinrich for his consistent championship of this cause. Together, we showed that when public landowners speak with one voice, we cannot be ignored.”
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. To learn more about issues important to BHA’s membership, visit https://www.backcountryhunters.org/our_issues.
"Back Country Horsemen Of America Is always Fighting the Fight for Our Public Lands Too"
June 24th, 2025
From: Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 24, 2025
Contact:
media@backcountryhunters.org
To: Debbie Spickermann
USDA Rescinds Near Quarter Century Old Protections for 58.5 Million Acres of National Forest Lands
Reversal ignores two decades of public input, jeopardizing wildlife, water, and wildfire resilience across America and in our largest intact temperate rainforest.
MISSOULA, Mont.—Backcountry Hunters & Anglers strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent decision to roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule—removing long-standing protections for 58.5 million acres of national forest lands across 39 states. For 24 years, the Roadless Rule has provided bedrock safeguards some of America’s most remote and ecologically valuable public lands from roadbuilding and development. Removing these protections not only directly contradicts decades of public input—it threatens the very character of the backcountry.
“The Roadless Rule was never about closing roads or locking people out,” said Kaden McArthur, BHA’s Director of Policy and Government Relations. “It allows for exceptional backcountry recreation and includes exceptions for access to inholdings, mineral leases, and timber projects that reduce fire risk or benefit wildlife habitat. But let’s be clear: our national forests already have twice as many miles of roads as the entire U.S. National Highway System. Repealing the Roadless Rule isn’t about improving forest management—it’s about expanding a development network that threatens intact landscapes hunters, anglers, and wildlife can’t afford to lose.”
A Public Process Undermined
Developed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Roadless Rule was finalized after 600 local public hearings were held and direct input was received from more than 1.6 million Americans, with 95% in support.
In 2020, the Trump administration repealed protections for more than 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska, despite 96 percent of public comments being in opposition. At the time, more than 1,000 BHA members and supporters delivered comments, urging the USFS to reinstate previous protections that ensured the backcountry character, and fish and wildlife habitat, of our nation’s largest intact temperate rainforest remained intact. In 2023, BHA applauded the reinstatement of those protections by the USFS.
Increased Risk of Wildfires
Contrary to claims made by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, a 32-year analysis of wildfire data across national forests—and analyzed by The Wilderness Society—shows that wildfires ignite three to four times more frequently within just 50 meters of roads compared to roadless and designated wilderness areas. Nearly 85% of wildfires are human caused, and 90% of wildfires start within half a mile of a road – repealing the Roadless Rule will only increase fire risk on our public lands. Importantly, fire management activities are currently allowed in Roadless Areas
Roadless Area Conservation Act, Reintroduced
That’s why BHA strongly supports the reintroduction of the Roadless Area Conservation Act, led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR). This legislation would codify the Roadless Rule into law, ensuring that protections for our most rugged and remote national forest lands can’t be undone by administrative rollbacks now and in the future.
To learn more, and to support the Roadless Area Conservation Act,
visit backcountryhunters.org.
June 24, 2025
From: Outdoor Alliance
CONSERVATION POWERED by OUTDOOR RECREATION
Dear Michele,
Breaking news: Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off up to 3.3 million acres of public lands appears to have been removed from the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill.
Over the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts—alongside hunters, anglers, motorized users, and conservationists—spoke up to defend public lands. Late yesterday evening, the land sales were removed on a technicality by the Senate parliamentarian, meaning that this dangerous proposal is out of the budget bill for now.
Lawmakers heard you, and the proposal to sell off millions of acres was already facing strong headwinds and was on the cusp of being scaled back or removed prior to this ruling.
This is a big win—for a few important reasons:
Those 3.3 million acres will remain public, for now, accessible to the 175 million Americans who recreate each year.
The outdoor community showed up in force. In just days, more than half a million letters poured into Congress—a volume we've never seen before.
Lawmakers responded. In the past week, multiple Senators publicly opposed the sell-off proposal, sending a clear signal that these ideas aren’t welcome.
Thank you for raising your voice. This community continues to show that when public lands are under threat, we are ready to fight for them.
That said, we’re not out of the woods yet. Senator Mike Lee has already indicated he plans to revise his proposal and push again for public land sell-offs—this time with narrower language that he hopes will pass.
We’ll keep fighting—and we hope you will too.
"KEEP THE PRESSURE ON"
Thank you for protecting public lands with us,
Tania Lown-Hecht
VP of Communications & Strategy
June 20th, 2025
BackCountry Hunter and Anglers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 19, 2025
CONTACT:
media@backcountryhunters.org
BHA Unveils Map Highlighting Hunter-Angler Impact as Senate Pushes Public Land Selloff
Grassroots campaign nears 75k calls and emails made; “Flood the Lines Day” aims to unleash wave of 25,000 more on June 25.
MISSOULA, Mont.—Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) today released an interactive state-by-state See Map (SEE MAP) ArcGIS Story Map pinpointing Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service parcels eligible for sale in the latest draft of the Senate budget reconciliation bill. But this is no ordinary map: as part of BHA’s ongoing United We Stand for Public Lands campaign, the tool pairs policy with personal stories—photos and impact statements from hunters and anglers whose cherished memories and traditions are rooted in these very places.
The map launch comes as the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee—chaired by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)—advances budget reconciliation language mandating the sale of upwards of 3 million acres of public lands across 11 Western states. The proposal not only mirrors the House measure BHA helped defeat in May—it expands it dramatically.
“Momentum is on our side, but victory will require every single one of us,” said Nadia Marji, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for BHA. “Every call, every message, every dollar, every voice—each one matters. This is our moment to stand united, Flood the Lines, and make it unmistakably clear that our public lands and waters are not for sale.”
“Flood the Lines” Day
In response to the looming threat, BHA is organizing a nationwide mobilization on Wednesday, June 25, called “Flood the Lines.” The goal: generate 25,000 calls and messages to U.S. Senators in a single day. To learn more, visit HERE.
For supporters who’ve already taken action to contact their elected officials and ask, “What else can I do?” Marji’s answer is simple.
“Do it again—call again, send another email, share impact stories across social media, engage your friends and family who may not be aware... Keep going until we win.”
More Than Land at Stake
The Senate’s proposal sidesteps public input and the process for selling public lands established by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act nearly 50 years ago. It also bypasses the bipartisan Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA), which ensures that proceeds from public land sales are reinvested in conservation and public access.
Beyond the unprecedented selloff, the legislation includes multiple rollbacks BHA strongly opposes:
Reversing protections that blocked construction of the private 211-mile Ambler Road through Alaska’s Brooks Range—threatening the Western Arctic Caribou Herd and one of the greatest wildlife migrations in North America;
Mandating new oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;
Eliminating critical reforms that curtailed speculative, noncompetitive oil and gas leasing on public lands.
BHA is calling on Congress to reject these provisions and urges its members and supporters across the nation to contact their elected officials, utilizing BHA’s dedicated Action Center here.
June 20th 2025
June 6th,2025
The Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field Office announce the approval of a Monument Management Plan for Río Grande del Norte National Monument. They followed the Presidential Proclamation precluding motorized trails within the monument. We thank the BLM for following protocol .
Albuquerque Open Space Meeting
After drafting letters and petitions to the councilors objecting and asking them to put this amendment on hold until further transparency is given to the public. They rejected the offer. However, they left it up to City Parks and Recreational Department to trail layouts. City Parks and Recreation did disallowed e-bikes on certain trails of interest to us.
We thank everyone who signed the petition and wrote letters to the City Council.
The National Monument area of the Rio Grande del Norte is changing their plan to allow e-bikes on all trails. However as noted in all National Monuments :
Final NEPA# DOI-BLM-NM-F020-2020-0015-EA
After further, careful review, the BLM recognizes that the Presidential Proclamation that established Rio Grande del Norte National Monument precludes motorized trails within the Monument. Therefore, e-bikes are permitted to be used only on roads designated OHV Open.
Public comment until May 23, 2024
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024165/510
Our partners, the American Horse Council (AHC) and the AHC Foundation, recently released their highly-anticipated National Economic Impact Study of the US Horse Industry. AHC conducts the rigorous survey roughly every five years. BCHA is one of many organizations that provides financial contributions to assist the extensive research necessary to produce the report. The latest results highlight the significant and growing contributions to the US economy that result from the multi-faceted equine industry.
AHC’s report includes a comprehensive overview of economic benefits and trends within the recreation sector, which the report describes as “the largest sector of the horse industry”—larger than the US competition and racing sectors. The report will serve as an important frame of reference for AHC, BCHA and partners when shared with elected officials, state and federal land management agencies, and the tourism industry.
Importantly, the report notes that trail riding is enjoyed by 9.8% of the US population, or by about 13 million households. The vast majority of trail riders, 87%, utilize public lands. According to the report:
“The recreation sector supports more than 277,000 direct jobs and adds $14.5 billion in direct value to the national economy. These direct impacts drive a further $22 billion in added value to the economy and more than 189,000 jobs from indirect and induced effects.”
The "Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund" passed and was signed by the governor. Thank you to all who help get the vote out! Now fully funded to 10 State programs which include forest restoration, building trails, and emergency relief for wildfires.
Re: DOI:BCM-NM-A020-0037-EA
The Socorro office has completed an EA for trails that connect the Socorro Rodeo and Sport Complex to Box Canyon Recreation Area, and the trail is currently open for Non-Motorized multi-use. They have proposed some different stacked loops, as well as a potential way of connecting down to the Bosque trail system using a cement culvert under I-25. They are asking for allowance for class 1,2,&3 E-bike use on these non-motorized trails and are planning a total of 500 miles of trails for future use. Public comment is until Feb. 24,2023. Please go to this link and give your opinion. BCHNM is in support of the trail system, however non-motorized trails are just that non-motorized, and the new ruling down from BLM 43 CFR 8340.0-5(a) allows the overseeing managers to decide whether to allow e-bikes on non-motorized trails. Say no to e-bikes on trails for equine, hikers, and mountain bikers. Follow this link: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022862/510
NM Outdoor Economics Conference
NMOE was held in Taos from Oct 5-7, 2022. They had an attendance of 350 people. Many dignitaries were there such as county, state, federal, and outdoor groups such as fish, bicycling, hunting, and more. A new state division started in 2017, NM Outdoor Recreation Division is starting a campaign called, “Slow & Say Hello!” instead of the traditional triangle design on right of way. The main goal is to eliminate conflict with users.
Also noted, the Horse Thief Mesa Trail will be part of the Rio Grande Trail. Also, a few equestrian trails are being designed in the Carson National Forest Area. Construction to begin on the parking lot in Summer of 2023. The Enchanted Circle Trails Association attended and have several trails for horses and would love to have a group adopt a trail for maintenance. They are all National Forest or Wilderness areas and he’s done all the paperwork to have it done. In return, you’ll get signage identifying your group.
On the San Lorenzo trail near Socorro, the state is working on making it an example of an “Adaptive Trail System” throughout the state. They are looking at state lands and seeing which ones can be converted for trail use. They are also working on the Petroglyphs trail as well. The minimum time frame from start to finish is 4 years.
Horse Thief Mesa is part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, BLM, and US Forest Lands. They are revising their plans to allow a variety of trails to run together. As equestrians we are concerned with over lapping with motor vehicles and the layout of the parking areas. We voiced our concerns and revisions were made.
After review of the public comments, the agency chose Alternative E, which approves 14 miles of new trail segments contingent upon pending surveys that provide for the avoidance of important cultural and biological resources and the completion of respective consultations with Native American Tribes, the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as required by law.
The decision also includes limiting motorized travel to 6.34 miles of routes to maintain access for fishing, hunting, fuelwood collection, and other uses, while closing approximately 10 miles of largely redundant two-track routes.and as of January 2024 they have received access for the parking area and working on completing
Update: In January 2024 they gained access to National Forest Lands, and with additional funding will complete the parking area.
Final Decision: Successful
Hale Lake responded with eliminating e-bikes from non-motorized trails.
Final Decision : Feb. 1 2025