A new interactive map released by onX and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) reveals more than 6 million acres of public land in the U.S. West that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has marked for possible sale. While a recent budget win blocked mass sell-offs, these lands remain vulnerable under older rules, and the outdoor community is sounding the alarm.
What’s on the Map?
The map, built by onX in partnership with TRCP, highlights more than 6,086,900 acres across 160+ BLM Resource Management Plans in the West that are currently flagged for potential disposal. These are public lands once tagged, often more than 40 years ago, as “eligible for sale” under outdated plans, many of which remain in effect today.
A Political Flashpoint Returns
The issue recently resurfaced during the 2025 budget cycle. Lawmakers attempted to include provisions in the federal budget that would have allowed large-scale land sales. However, due to immense pressure from the outdoor recreation and conservation communities, those measures were pulled from the bill.
But the victory was short-lived. Even without those provisions, the BLM still retains the authority to sell land under current Resource Management Plans, putting these 6 million acres in limbo.
Unmatched Public Support for Public Lands
OnX stressed that “the outdoor recreation community was instrumental in convincing lawmakers to remove those land sale provisions,” but emphasized that much of the land remains vulnerable.
Polling shows that public lands enjoy overwhelming bipartisan support—stronger than nearly any other political issue in America today.
High-Stakes Controversy
Despite this support, some powerful political figures have long pushed for land disposal. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has aligned with Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who both advocate for returning land “to the states” or selling it off altogether.
Critics of this movement argue it’s less about efficiency and more about benefiting elites. As the article puts it, they’d rather “sell it to their donors, friends, and patrons and cheat the American people out of the greatest wealth our country has ever seen.”
First-Ever Public Tool
TRCP President and CEO Joel Pedersen said the map is a “first-of-its-kind public tool” that allows anyone to see exactly which lands are vulnerable. “For the first time, the public and policymakers can engage with one map that shows parcels eligible for sale, right next to national parks, popular hunting and fishing areas, wildlife migration corridors, and habitat for at-risk species.”