Editorial: Idaho’s Public Lands—Still Not for Sale (A statement from the Idaho Chamber Alliance)

By Sean Evans, President/CEO, Meridian Chamber of Commerce 
Past Chair, Idaho Chamber Alliance

Idaho’s economic health and exceptional quality of life are deeply rooted in our access to public lands. For decades, these lands have supported local businesses, sustained thriving outdoor recreation, and helped define the identity of communities across our state. As President and CEO of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce—and as Past Chair of the Idaho Chamber Alliance—I feel compelled to speak on behalf of the business community in strong opposition to the Senate’s proposed resolution that would mandate the sale of hundreds of thousands of acres of federally managed public land. 

While the original version of the proposal called for the sale of up to 3.3 million acres across the West—including both Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands—recent updates have scaled it back. The amended bill now limits the sale to between 612,500 and 1.2 million acres of BLM-administered land near urban areas and excludes Forest Service parcels altogether. 

But let’s be clear: the risks to Idaho remain very real. 
Even with a narrower scope, this proposal threatens BLM lands that are integral to our local economies, workforce strategies, and regional identity. Many of these “urban adjacent” lands are heavily used by residents and visitors for hiking, hunting, camping, and fishing. They play a vital role in wildfire prevention and ecosystem health. More importantly, they enhance the quality of life that helps Idaho attract and retain talent—a key competitive advantage for businesses of all sizes. 

Outdoor recreation alone contributes more than $3.4 billion annually to Idaho’s economy and supports over 35,000 jobs. These lands support entire sectors—tourism, hospitality, outfitting, and retail—that our local and regional chambers work to sustain every day. Selling them off would not only reduce public access but could permanently undermine the natural infrastructure that helps Idaho communities thrive. 

As a Past Chair of the Idaho Chamber Alliance, I also want to emphasize the broader voice behind this message. The Idaho Chamber Alliance (ICA) is a statewide coalition representing more than 20 local chambers of commerce—urban, suburban, and rural—working together to advocate for business-friendly policies that support growth, infrastructure, workforce development, and community resilience. ICA represents thousands of businesses across the state.  Together, we advocate for policies that strengthen our economy, grow our workforce, and preserve the assets that make Idaho a great place to live, work, and do business. 

We recognize and respect the urgent need to address housing affordability and availability. Like many business leaders across the state, I see firsthand how housing challenges impact recruitment and retention. But selling off public lands with minimal oversight and limited public input is not the right answer. It places a long-term economic and environmental burden on Idaho for the sake of short-term headlines. 

We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Representative Mike Simpson, who have voiced opposition to this flawed proposal. However, as of now, Representative Russ Fulcher has yet to take a public position. I urge him—and all members of our delegation—to stand firmly against any effort that undermines Idaho’s public land heritage. 

To my fellow business and community leaders across Idaho: your voice matters. Now is the time to speak out. Contact your Senators and Representatives. Let them know that Idaho’s public lands are not surplus—they are strategic assets that drive economic success, community health, and workforce opportunity. Tell them we can support housing development without sacrificing the lands that support our way of life. 
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Let’s not allow a misguided policy to erode what generations of Idahoans have protected and benefited from. Let’s protect our economy, our identity, and our future. Let’s keep Idaho’s public lands public—because once they’re gone, they don’t come back.