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UP FOR SALE
development, could result in devastating losses to public access, especially for communities that rely on these lands for low-impact motorised recreation. Without transparent parcel maps or a process for public consultation, the risk is that crucial corridors and natural heritage sites could be sold to the highest bidder— forever fenced off, developed, or degraded.
“ We are not opposed to development where it’ s needed,” the statement read.“ But disposing of public land— especially without public input— is not the solution. These lands are not surplus. They are the backbone of our outdoor culture.”
The backlash hasn’ t stopped with BDR. A broad coalition of voices— from hikers and hunters to environmentalists and tourism operators— is now calling on lawmakers to reconsider. Organisations like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers have pointed out that more than 90 % of western hunters rely on public lands. If these tracts are sold, access to elk ranges, trout streams, and entire ecosystems could vanish overnight.
Even more worrying is the vagueness of the proposal. Unlike past land sales, where parcels were clearly identified and assessed through a public-facing process, this new wave of privatisation is hidden beneath general language and delegated authority. There ' s little clarity on what will be sold, who will benefit, or how those decisions will be made.
Adventure Travel News, a leading voice in the industry, recently published a sobering feature titled Navigating Uncertainty, which cast a spotlight on the
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