STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Normally, those with the Wood River Trails Coalition are busy this time of year removing logs and restoring water drainage to local trails.

But this past week, they’ve been busy pounding computer keys sounding the alarm about possible repercussions to local public land under a bill proposed by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. The bill would require mandatory disposal of Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service land in Western states.

Lee’s proposal would be included as part of the federal budget reconciliation bill, aka “Big Beautiful Bill,” that Congress hopes to pass by the Fourth of July. It would sell off as much as 3.2 million acres of public land to be used for housing or other uses.

About 21 million acres of public lands in Idaho would be eligible for potential sale. Among them, places like the Lower Salmon River, Boise foothills, much of the Payette, Boise and Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forests.

Local lands that could potentially be sold under the bill include Adam’s Gulch, Greenhorn Gulch, Fox Creek and Oregon Gulch, said Sara Gress, executive director at the Wood River Trails Coalition. A little further afield it could affect such areas as trails and peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains and land along the South and Middle Forks of the Boise River, Mink Creek in Pocatello and the Hell’s Half Acre Wilderness Study area north of Blackfoot

“Theoretically, if this bill passes, trailheads at places such as Adam’s and Greenhorn Gulch could be sold and trail access closed down,” she said. “This would forever change our quality of life in the Wood River Valley. 

“The WRTC has been a staunchly non-advocacy organization that focuses on boots-on-the-ground work, a decision we stand behind,” she added. “However, we have no mission if our public lands and trails are sold and privatized.” 

The Wood River Trails Coalition is not the only one sounding the alarm. Plenty of other Idaho organizations, including Idaho Rivers United, have been calling and emailing their supporters.

The areas that could be sold include lands adjacent to more than 21,000 river miles in Idaho, which has more whitewater river than any other state in the lower 48. That includes the South Fork of the Snake, Henry’s Fork, the Payette, Bruneau, Owyhee, Salmon, Snake and other rivers.

“And if sold, we will lose access to our rivers in many places,” said Greg McReynolds, of Idaho Rivers United.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean submitted a resolution opposing the public land sale at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting on Thursday in Tampa, Fla.

“Public lands must stay in public hands,” she wrote.

Idaho Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo stated their opposition to the sale on Friday. U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho stated his opposition earlier. Russ Fulcher remains the holdout.

If you’d like to state your views, contact;

Senator Mike Crapo: 

Washington D.C. Office: (202) 224-6142

Boise Office: (208) 334-1776

Senator James Risch 

Washington D.C. Office: 202-224-2752

Boise Office: 208-342-7985