For Immediate Release: Monday, January 13, 2025
Contacts:
John Robison, Public Lands & Wildlife Director, (208) 345-6933 x 213
Abby Urbanek, Communications & Marketing Manager, (208) 345-6933 x 214
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Effort to Seize Control of Public Lands
Over 9 million acres of public lands in Idaho will remain protected from privatization and exploitation, for now.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear a case that could decide whether America’s public lands can be sold to private interests for profit.
Earlier this year, with the backing of Republican officials from 12 other states (including Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador), the state of Utah filed an unprecedented petition at the United States Supreme Court seeking an order requiring that the federal government begin selling off or otherwise “disposing” of more than 200 million acres of public lands across the West. This includes more than 9 million acres in Idaho. These lands, currently held in trust for the American people, are targets for privatization and exploitation.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands are managed for multiple uses, balancing activities like grazing and timber harvest with recreation, wildlife conservation, and public access. This ensures all Americans—regardless of where they live—have a stake in these lands.
These lands, once privatized, are often lost to the public forever. Consider the recent proposal by Trident Holdings to purchase more than 28,000 acres of state lands near Payette Lake for a luxury lakefront development. While public opposition paused the plan, it underscores the risks of public lands being privatized. Idahoans could lose access to iconic landscapes across the state—including beloved hiking trails, hunting grounds, and fishing streams.
“The Supreme’s Court’s refusal to hear Utah’s case is a victory for Americans that cherish public lands, clean water, and fish and wildlife,” said John Robison, Public Lands and Wildlife Director for the Idaho Conservation League. “But this fight isn’t over. Utah could refile in lower courts, and the case might eventually return to the Supreme Court. The threat is real, and we must stay vigilant.”
Examples of BLM lands at risk in Idaho include: the Hulls Gulch National Recreation Trail in the Boise Foothills, the lower Salmon River, the South Fork Snake River, the Discovery Hill Trail System near Salmon, Bald Mountain Ski Area in Ketchum (40% is unappropriated BLM), St. Anthony Sand Dunes, the Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail near Coeur d’Alene, public boat ramps that provide access to Lake Coeur d’Alene, and more. These beloved lands represent what is special about Idaho’s way of life.
The sell-off and privatization of public lands has sparked intense opposition, with a broad coalition of western residents, elected officials, sportsmen, and advocacy groups vocally resisting these efforts. While the Supreme Court rejected Utah’s current efforts, attacks on America’s public lands are anticipated to continue in the upcoming administration. Today’s decision comes on the heels of the 119th Congress voting on a rules package to accelerate the sale of public lands.
“Public lands are one of America’s best ideas and an intrinsic part of our identity,” continued Robison. “This takeover effort was never about “local control” but ultimately about selling off our natural heritage to the highest bidder. We are glad that the Supreme Court rejected this takeover attempt, and will continue to do everything in our power to make sure that public lands stay in public hands.”
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