SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The outrage has been swift on the proposed public land sales across the 11 western states (excluding Montana), with much of Lake Tahoe on the list of possible sites.
In response to the public land sales language in the Senate budget reconciliation bill, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) joined other local leaders in issuing statements about the plan to sell 3.3 million acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management public lands out of a menu of 250 million acres.
“It is crucial that any decisions made regarding the acquisition or disposition of public lands be made only after significant local input,” said Rep. Kiley. “Our district is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States and is a source of clean water, jobs, tax revenue, and recreation. Local buy-in is the key to preserving these spaces and guaranteeing that our policies benefit the people we represent. I will not support legislation that excludes local leaders from having a meaningful seat at the table for these important decisions.”
After the story broke this week of how much of Nevada and California could be sold, people took action and contacted Kiley’s office, among other political leaders.
“Tahoe is not for sale! We strongly urge the Senate to remove this language in the reconciliation bill and instead work with local governments and local Indian tribes on sensible land policy that can achieve our shared goals to advance housing while protecting our natural resources,” said El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Brooke Laine, who represents the Lake Tahoe Basin portion of the county.
“In partnership with local governments, Congress recently reauthorized the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (LTRA), which conserves land and sends the unambiguous message that Tahoe is not for sale. Decades before that, Congress ratified the bi-state compact that governs land use planning at Lake Tahoe. Altogether, the Senate proposed language would reverse 50 years of standing land policy at Tahoe. Thank you, Rep. Kiley, for fighting for our public lands,” said Julie Regan, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
The Placer County supervisor from the north shore of Lake Tahoe also weighed in on the proposed budget.
“Local and regional governments cannot be relegated to an advisory role in decisions related to the sale of our federal lands. The goal of affordable housing is one we all share, but the Senate language will not make measurable progress toward that goal, and instead would put local governments on defense, responding to nominations made by outside groups that may or may not align with local planning. I support Rep. Kiley in his effort to make sure local input is part of the discussion of public land sales,” said Cindy Gustafson, Placer County Board of Supervisors.
To view the map of possible acreage for sale as of June 19, visit HERE.