There’s a map making the rounds suggesting that more than 250 million acres of public lands across the West are suddenly up for sale under a new Senate bill. But let’s take a deep breath and break down what’s actually happening.
The Proposal at a Glance
As part of the Senate’s version of the budget reconciliation bill aligned with Trump-era policy goals, there is indeed a provision mandating the sale of public land, but here’s the fine print that matters:
- Total proposed for sale: 2 to 3 million acres
- Eligible states: 11 Western states, including Wyoming
- Agencies impacted: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
- What’s not protected: Unlike past efforts, the bill does not exempt Wilderness Study Areas, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, roadless areas, or even critical wildlife habitat.
So, Where Did the 250 Million Acre Number Come From?
That widely shared map (see above) from the Wilderness Society shows all potentially eligible lands managed by BLM and USFS, not what’s actually being proposed for sale. It’s true that over 250 million acres technically could be pulled from under this provision due to the lack of meaningful exemptions, but the bill only calls for disposing of a small fraction of that: 2–3 million acres.
In short:
The map shows where the land might come from, not how much land is being sold.
Wyoming’s Piece of the Pie
According to federal land data:
- Wyoming has roughly 14.9 million acres of land available for sale across both BLM and USFS holdings.
- That does not mean all of it will be sold. Only that it’s within the broader pool of eligible land from which 2–3 million acres across the West might be selected.
Why It Still Matters
Even though the acreage number is relatively small, the lack of protections for sensitive and ecologically important areas is what’s setting off alarm bells among conservationists. And rightfully so. Selling off pristine or culturally significant public land, even in small chunks, sets a precedent many aren’t comfortable with.
Bottom Line
It’s beyond fair to be concerned, especially about the bill’s vague boundaries and potential long-term consequences. But let’s keep the conversation grounded in facts:
- 2–3 million acres are on the chopping block, not 250+ million.
- That acreage will come from a vast pool across 11 states.
- The real issue isn’t the size, it’s the lack of safeguards.
Let’s keep our public lands public, but let’s also stay accurate while doing it.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
