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Land that is owned by the United States government.
Public land refers to the public domain, unappropriated land belonging to the federal government that is subject to sale or other disposal under general laws and is not reserved for any particular governmental or public purpose.
Much of this land was acquired early in the history of the United States as a result of purchases, wars, or treaties made with foreign countries. The federal government used this land to encourage growth, settlement, and economic development. Land that was not developed, homesteaded, or sold remained in federal ownership as public land. Today, the federal government employs principles of land use planning and environmental protection to preserve the natural resources and scenic beauty found on public land.
Transferring these lands to the state would overload state agencies and could result in habitat degradation or reduced access to our public lands and waters.
Finchem's bills do not explicitly mention public land transfers; instead, HB 2547 seeks to transfer the management of public lands to the state with an emphasis on resource extraction and development.
Nationally, BHA "seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters." Tawney is often the face of the organization, lobbying in Washington, D.C., on public land issues and hosting membership drives around the country.
In Oklahoma, he explained why the state should join the fight to keep public lands open.
Davis acknowledges that the public-versus-private land debate has entered a "new era." In what may be the most heartfelt section of the book, the author enumerates specific ways in which public lands must be defended against those seeking privatization; these arguments include "frame public lands as a patriotic imperative," "seize the historical narrative," and "build as broad a coalition as possible." The book ends with an insightful assessment of "public lands over the long term," as well as an elegantly written concluding section that answers the question, "What Are Our Public Lands For?"
Don't expect to have a fantasy hunt on Western public lands, especially if you possess an over-the-counter tag.