Bentz Opposes Large-Scale Federal Land Sales, Cites Need for Local Input and Proper Management
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) expressed his opposition this week to proposals that would mandate the sale or disposal of millions of acres of federal land. While Bentz supports the sale or exchange of federal land when there is clear economic or social demand, he believes such actions must follow appropriate procedures and be generally supported by local stakeholders.
“I do support and encourage sale or exchange of parcels of federal land when there is a clear economic or social demand for such disposition, and when that disposition follows appropriate procedure and is generally supported by those affected,” Bentz said. “I include congressional action as an appropriate procedure. I do not support a mandated disposition of millions of acres of federal land, the amount of which was arbitrarily established, the primary goal not being to respond to demand, but instead being the removal of land from federal ownership.”
Bentz's concerns are focused on the process and lack of debate surrounding such large-scale land sales. He argued that decisions of this magnitude should not be rushed through without careful consideration of their potential impacts on local communities and stakeholders, including Indian tribes, grazing permittees, hunters, and environmental concerns.
“A policy to permanently dispose of massive amounts of land currently owned and managed for multiple use by the federal government should not be included in a reconciliation package where debate, by design, is truncated or completely avoided,” Bentz explained.
The congressman also addressed the issue of federal land management, which has been a point of contention in recent years. While some argue that poor management justifies selling public land, Bentz contends that selling these lands is not the solution.
“Some might argue that the abject failure of the federal government to adequately manage BLM and Forest Service land justifies its sale. But sale of this land to someone else is no way to assure it’s proper management,” he said.
Bentz emphasized the need for reform to improve the management of federal lands rather than simply disposing of them. He pointed out that environmental litigation often ties the hands of federal agencies, preventing effective management plans.
“The best way to protect this land is to identify and correct the reasons these agencies are failing in their mission,” he added. “This means that the laws that are being perverted to line the pockets of environmental organizations at the expense of the taxpayer and our forests and rangelands, must be changed so that such perversion is stopped.”
