More than 100 conservation organizations have urged U.S. lawmakers to oppose a renewed proposal to sell public lands. The groups sent a letter on Monday to Senate leaders following reports that Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, plans to revive a land sale amendment as part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill.

New Land Sale Push

Sen. Mike Lee is reportedly preparing to reintroduce a proposal allowing public lands to be sold in select counties in Utah and Nevada, including areas near Zion National Park. E&E News asked Lee last week if the plan would return, to which he replied, “I gotta go vote, but yes.”

Conservationists Raise Alarm

Dozens of conservation groups, led by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, quickly voiced opposition. “These are the places people recreate with their families, they are places to hunt and fish, and they are held in trust for the American people to enjoy for generations to come,” said Travis Hammill, DC Director for the group.

Broad Coalition Responds

The Monday letter, signed by over 100 groups, follows an earlier March letter endorsed by more than 300 elected officials from Colorado to California, calling on federal leaders to safeguard public lands.

Public Overwhelmingly Opposed

Survey results released in April showed that over 70 percent of Americans oppose selling federal lands, with roughly three-quarters against shutting down access to national public lands. Opposition remained strong across party lines, particularly in Western states.

Concerns Over Transparency

Critics condemned the proposed sell-off process as excluding public participation. “The public had no opportunity to participate in the process of identifying these parcels, let alone time to understand the long-term effect of selling off these public lands,” the groups’ letter warned.

Budget Bill’s Troubled History

The controversial land sale plan first appeared in January, pitched by Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee to help fund the Trump administration’s budget. It was later removed in May before reaching the House floor.

Senate Bill Still Pending

The Budget Reconciliation Bill, which could potentially carry the revived land sale amendment, is currently under Senate revision before it’s returned to the House for a final vote.