An Easy Guide To Why The GOP’s Public Land Policies Are Fucking Stupid

Prioritizing extraction over all else just breaks things, without actually creating more extraction

After Hours Of Testimony, Commission Rejects Changes To Landowner Hunting Tags

 

After Hours Of Testimony, Commission Rejects Changes To Landowner Hunting Tags

Carpetbagger asks Supreme Court to decide corner crossing’s legality, says lower court ‘inverted’ law

Ranch owner asks Supreme Court to decide corner crossing’s legality, says lower court ‘inverted’ law: Fred Eshelman’s petition for high-court review asserts that 10th Circuit victory for hunters and the public to access public land constitutes an unconstitutional taking of private property.

On the North Platte, where anglers maim 1 in 4 trout, Wyoming goes barbless, bans some bead rigs

On the North Platte, where anglers maim 1 in 4 trout, Wyoming goes barbless, bans some bead rigs: ‘Pegged attractors’ on fly fishing leaders, which caught on in the last decade, will no longer be allowed in Gray Reef and Cardwell sections of the popular fishery.

Blog Mirror: After Hours Of Angry Testimony, Commission Rejects Changes To Landowner Hunting Tags

 

After Hours Of Angry Testimony, Commission Rejects Changes To Landowner Hunting Tags

Lex Anteinternet: Hundreds Of Landowners Angry Over Proposed Wyoming...

Lex Anteinternet: Hundreds Of Landowners Angry Over Proposed Wyoming...:

Hundreds Of Landowners Angry Over Proposed Wyoming Hunting Tag Changes

Frankly, even the proposed change really means a person can get a landowner tag with fewer acres than should really be the case.

Hundreds Of Landowners Angry Over Proposed Wyoming Hunting Tag Changes

 

Wyoming Rite Of Passage: 600 4-H Kids Show Out At State Shooting Competition

Lex Anteinternet: Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week...

Lex Anteinternet: Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week...: 

Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week to convince SCOTUS to hear corner crossing case

Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week to convince SCOTUS to hear corner crossing case: Eshelman has until July 16 to state why the court should consider the corner-crossing conflict between public access to public land and private property rights.

Rancher owner?

Well, yes, he owns a ranch.  But a working owner he is not.  He's a pharmaceutical industry titan. 

In a more just society, frankly, he wouldn't own the ranch at all.  It'd be owned by those who actually derived a living from it.

Also of interest, Iron Bar Holdings, the petitioner, is represented by Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP of Denver, with Robert Reeves Anderson as counsel of record.  The respondent is represented by a local Wyoming firm.  I note this as there's no reason that the common attorney bullshit claim "I'm only doing my job" really ought to hold, for civil litigation.  If you run into a Colorado attorney in Wyoming, ask them who they work for.  if they work for this outfit, tell them to go home, we don't want them here.

For that matter, if you are a Colorado user of public lands, as they want to take part of what you own, there's no reason to accommodate them with a seat at the table, literally.  "Want a cup of coffee sir?  Drive to Texas. . . ."

At the trial court level, Iron Bar had been represented by Gregory Weisz, who is a Wyoming attorney.  He's left private practice and is with the AG now.  A lawyer with his firm took his place, but the case was well developed by then, and in the appeal stage, so they really had no choice.

So, what am I saying.  Well, I'm saying that people who don't derive their income principally form a ranch, ought not to own it.  And I'm saying that by representing carpetbaggers, you are a carpetbagger.  The old lawyer bromides about serving the system are BS.  Regular people, including other lawyers, don't have to excuse your choice of clients when you are taking on a plaintiff.  It's not like being assigned a defendant.

Lex Anteinternet: Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week...

Lex Anteinternet: Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week...: 

Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week to convince SCOTUS to hear corner crossing case

Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week to convince SCOTUS to hear corner crossing case: Eshelman has until July 16 to state why the court should consider the corner-crossing conflict between public access to public land and private property rights.

Rancher owner?

Well, yes, he owns a ranch.  But a working owner he is not.  He's a pharmaceutical industry titan. 

In a more just society, frankly, he wouldn't own the ranch at all.  It'd be owned by those who actually derived a living from it.

Also of interest, Iron Bar Holdings, the petitioner, is represented by Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP of Denver, with Robert Reeves Anderson as counsel of record.  The respondent is represented by a local Wyoming firm.  I note this as there's no reason that the common attorney bullshit claim "I'm only doing my job" really ought to hold, for civil litigation.  If you run into a Colorado attorney in Wyoming, ask them who they work for.  if they work for this outfit, tell them to go home, we don't want them here.

For that matter, if you are a Colorado user of public lands, as they want to take part of what you own, there's no reason to accommodate them with a seat at the table, literally.  "Want a cup of coffee sir?  Drive to Texas. . . ."

At the trial court level, Iron Bar had been represented by Gregory Weisz, who is a Wyoming attorney.  He's left private practice and is with the AG now.  A lawyer with his firm took his place, but the case was well developed by then, and in the appeal stage, so they really had no choice.

So, what am I saying.  Well, I'm saying that people who don't derive their income principally form a ranch, ought not to own it.  And I'm saying that by representing carpetbaggers, you are a carpetbagger.  The old lawyer bromides about serving the system are BS.  Regular people, including other lawyers, don't have to excuse your choice of clients when you are taking on a plaintiff.  It's not like being assigned a defendant.

Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week to convince SCOTUS to hear corner crossing case

Extension denial leaves Wyoming ranch owner a week to convince SCOTUS to hear corner crossing case: Eshelman has until July 16 to state why the court should consider the corner-crossing conflict between public access to public land and private property rights.

Southern Rockies Nature Blog: From Sagebrush Rebellion to Tech Bro Megacities: S...

Southern Rockies Nature Blog: From Sagebrush Rebellion to Tech Bro Megacities: S...: What a change a week makes. Last week my email blew up with responses to the possible sale of public lands  in the West, thanks to language ...

Wars on the West

Wars on the West

The art of the fly: Angler relishes the meditation and creation of tying

The art of the fly: Angler relishes the meditation and creation of tying: Blake Jackson, a guide and co-owner of Casper’s Ugly Bug Fly Shop, ties a carp-slaying pattern.

Lex Anteinternet: A Lummis reply.

Lex Anteinternet: A Lummis reply.: 

A Lummis reply.

Well, now that the Big Ugly moved on the House and its safe to say something, I received an emailed letter from Sen. Lummis.

It stated:

Senator Cynthia Lummis State of Wyoming (202) 224-3424 www.lummis.senate.gov

July 2, 2025 Yeoman Dear Yeoman: Thank you for contacting me about public lands. As you know, Wyoming and other western states are blessed with beautiful public lands that offer endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The outdoor recreation industry also generates thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue for our state.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for administering federal lands to support a range of uses, including for commercial, recreation, and conservation activities. Currently, BLM manages over 245 million acres of land, primarily in the 11 westerns states. In Wyoming alone, the BLM manages over 18.5 million acres, or 48% of the state’s land.  While the BLM is generally mandated by Congress to retain public lands in public ownership, under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the agency may dispose of lands on a case-by-case basis and deemed in the public interest. FLPMA outlines the criteria for these land dispositions, allowing the sale of lands that are difficult and uneconomic for BLM or other agencies to manage, are no longer needed for the purpose it was acquired for, or would serve important public objectives, such as establishing houses, parks or schools. Recently, Democrats have mischaracterized multiple proposals and put forward bad faith efforts to obstruct President Trump’s agenda, rather than protect our federal lands as they claim. One example was a proposed amendment by the U.S. House Natural Resource Committee that would have allowed for the sale of less than 1% of federal lands in Utah and Nevada. This would have allowed those states to utilize underused parcels for economic development, a reservoir, vital infrastructure projects, and the expansion of an airport. However, this was mischaracterized by Democrats as an attempt to privatize land.  I am aware of a proposal from Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) that would require BLM to establish a robust public nomination and identification process to identify underutilized federal land near existing infrastructure to address the current housing crisis. I understand the proposal would focus on less than 0.5% of BLM land in 11 western states and would include protections for existing rights and uses like grazing permits, mineral leases, mining claims, and special use authorizations. Ultimately, this proposal was not included in the Senate budget reconciliation package. It is one of my top priorities to maintain and improve public access on public lands for activities such as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, and biking. However, we must address the significant challenges for local communities, state government, and efficient land management practices that comes from federal ownership of nearly half of all Western land. It is important that we empower Wyoming-based stakeholders and local experts to enact thoughtful management systems that serve our communities while protecting our national treasures. I welcome the opportunity to communicate with you regarding issues impacting Wyoming. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can ever be of any assistance. Kind regards, Cynthia M. Lummis United States Senator

Once again, everything is reduced to the Big Bad Democrats are picking on us wee little Republicans, lying, stealing our lunches, etc.

Horseshit.

I've read these bills.  I will contact Sen. Lummis, but part of the reason I will is to state that without a massive public retraction on this, I won't be casting any votes for her if she seeks to retain her job in the future.

I'd also note, for somebody accusing the Democrats of lying, there's a lie in here. The Lee bill didn't pertain to just Nevada and Utah, but everywhere with public land save for Montana.

Conservative Wyoming couldn’t stomach Republican public land sale

Conservative Wyoming couldn’t stomach Republican public land sale: In the state where Trump won by the largest margin in the 2024 election, grassroots unity helped keep public lands off the auction block.

Western public land sale axed from Senate budget bill

Western public land sale axed from Senate budget bill

Lex Anteinternet: Hoping this is true.

Lex Anteinternet: Hoping this is true.:

Hoping this is true.

I'm really hoping this is true.  Lee has shown a total disregard for the wishes of nationwide voter.

And Hageman, Barrasso and Lummis have shown a contempt for Wyoming's voters that the electorate should remember.

This is only one aspect of the Big Ugly Bill that will come back to haunt us in spades. But at least, if this is true, this is past us.

Hopefully Lee is too.  Utah's voters should send him back to the private sector.

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Lex Anteinternet: Public Lands demand Action This Day.

Lex Anteinternet: Public Lands demand Action This Day.:   

Public Lands demand Action This Day.

 

It appears the Big Ugly Bill with Mike Lee's scheme to sell public lands that fall within the former putative state of Deseret, which he acts as if he represents, will occur today or tomorrow.

Call your people in Congress today and inform them you are opposed.

If you live in Wyoming, inform them that they better start putting in their resumes for post Congressional punditry right now, as you'll not vote for them for anything ever again.  They aren't representing you if they vote for this.

In spite of overwhelming public opposition, Lee's land sale remains in the bill as it came out of his committee.

Action this day.

Lex Anteinternet: Tribune editorial: Public lands, with public access, are what make the West the West

Lex Anteinternet: Tribune editorial: Public lands, with public acces...: 

Tribune editorial: Public lands, with public access, are what make the West the West Tell Congress that Mike Lee’s planned sell-off is not what Utahns want.

Tribune editorial: Public lands, with public access, are what make the West the West

Tell Congress that Mike Lee’s planned sell-off is not what Utahns want.

Lex Anteinternet: Five Republicans listening to their base.

Lex Anteinternet: Five Republicans listening to their base.:  

Friday, June 27, 2025

Five Republicans listening to their base.

 

The margin on this bill is so tight that five votes has a very good chance of sinking it in the House.

Good for the five.

And shame on Wyoming's delegation in Congress if it does not follow suit.