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The land targeted has been previously identified as \u201csuitable for sale to non-federal entities\u201d by the Clinton Administration, calling for its \u201cresponsible disposal.\u201d As of now, the tracts of land targeted have not been publicly identified.<\/p>
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\u201cThe long overdue disposal of excess federal lands will free up resources for the federal government while providing much-needed opportunities for economic development in struggling rural communities,\u201d Chaffetz said in a news release.<\/p>
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It seems the politicians on Capitol Hill have forgotten to whom the land actually belongs. You, me and every other citizen of this country. Public ground is simply managed by the federal government. What right does Congress have to decide that your land serves no purpose to you?<\/p>
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Chaffetz also introduced\u00a0H.R. 622<\/a>, which would \u201cterminate the law enforcement functions of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and to provide block grants to the states for the enforcement of federal law on federal land under the jurisdiction of these agencies, and for other purposes.\u201d This would mean law enforcement on BLM and Forest Service lands would be the responsibility of local officials. The Utah Republican argues the bill would work to\u00a0restore local law enforcement<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> What\u2019s more, earlier in the month, House Republicans altered the process of how Congress\u00a0calculates the cost of transferring federal lands<\/a>\u00a0to the states and other entities. By doing so, it\u2019s now easier for Congress to give up control of public lands. Proponents of selling federal land argue that local control of the properties would better take into account the needs of nearby residents. However, critics have voiced concerns that once federal land is transferred to states, some of which may not have sufficient funding to manage the properties, those officials could sell the land to private developers.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> You don\u2019t have to sit back and watch your public land sell to the highest bidder. Take action. Call your local representative today and tell them you disagree with the decision to sell federal lands. And while you\u2019re at it, consider partnering with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation<\/a> Partnership and Backcountry Hunters<\/a> and Anglers, both of which work tirelessly everyday to keep public lands in your hands.<\/p>
![\"House](\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4.png\" "\\"House")
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