Turning public lands over to states would lead to privatization

Do you value your public lands? Our public lands are a part of our American identity. They provide vital sustenance for fish and wildlife and for people.

Do you remember your first visit to Mount Rainier? How awesome was that? How about to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge? I remember both.

My first trip to Turnbull was in the fall when flocks of tundra swan were flying over, whooping and circling to come in for a landing on the Pine Lakes. The image is in my head as if it were yesterday, though 43 years have passed. You probably have similar memories, hiking, birding, fishing, hunting and camping on public lands.

Public lands are our lands. Together we own millions of acres of lands that make up our national parks, wildlife refuges, monuments and vast wild and working lands across the country. We must keep our public lands in our hands to ensure future generations have the same privileges we have today.

You hear people say, “give these lands to the states, the federal government should not own land.” The transfer of federal lands to states would just be a step away from being sold to wealthy individuals and corporations for the profits to be made from natural resource extraction.

States cannot afford to manage these extensive lands. They struggle to keep state park systems open. Some state parks have already been closed. Soon, these transferred federal lands would go on the auction block.

Over 305 million people visited national parks last year and even more hiked, camped, fished, watched wildlife and enjoyed our other shared public lands like national forests and wildlife refuges. You, as visitors, give vital support to adjacent communities infusing money into local small businesses. In Washington alone, nearly 200,000 jobs are supported directly or indirectly by outdoor recreation, more than our state’s technology or aerospace industries.

Join the fight to protect and defend our public lands. Write your legislators now, tell them public lands stay in public hands. They are our natural heritage and the birthright of all Americans.

Nancy J. Curry

Cheney