Real Westerners DO NOT SUPPORT a Federal Land Grab.

http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/voices/2016/06/08/one-view-real-westerners-recognize-public-land-grab-what/85623822/

If you listen to those who would transfer public lands in the West from federal control to state hands, you might think the movement is gaining traction. You might think the states have made some commitment to upholding your access to these lands and that nothing would change for Americans who rely on BLM and National Forest System lands for hunting and fishing. You might get the impression that the state is well-prepared to care for these lands — after all, they say local governments will manage them better.

None of this is the case, and informed Westerners know it.

This “new Sagebrush Rebellion” is an idea that can be directly attributed to a relatively small group of people who are likely to benefit financially from such an action. These fringe activists have been going to county commissioners across the West asking for membership dues to support their cause, and those who are sympathetic have bought in with taxpayer dollars.

The states have consistently demonstrated that they do not have the interests of sportsmen in mind. Of the 64.2 million acres given to the 11 Western states at statehood, 25.4 million acres have been sold. Nevada was granted 2.7 million acres at statehood and sold off all but 3,000 acres — that’s 99.9 percent of its original land holdings. This is because state lands must be managed for maximum revenue. Where outdoor recreation is allowed, hunting, camping, and recreational shooting come second to making money from resource extraction or development.

Add the prohibitive cost of wildfire suppression, a $1.7 billion burden on the U.S. Forest Service in 2015, and other financial realities such as wild horse management, and it’s clear that states would be forced to close off or sell off your public lands.

Instead of considering this unworkable idea, it is time for all stakeholders to find common ground and actually improve the management of our treasured public lands. We can advance a commonsense approach to protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat that is so important to our hunting and fishing heritage — but only if federal, state, and local decision-makers collaborate on real-world solutions.

Now that’s something that we could support.