WASHINGTON — A proposed bill that would sell over 3.3 million acres of federally owned land will soon be killed after its author announced he has heard the voices of his constituents.
Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz originally proposed House Resolution 621 in late January with the goal of selling off parcels of federal lands in 10 states which had little value or were infrequently used by the government.
In Colorado, nearly 94,000 acres of land were slated for sale to the public, effectively turning them into private property if the bill became law.
The proposition drew ire from many hunters, land enthusiasts and more, however, leading Chaffetz to announce the death of his bill.
"The bill would have disposed of small parcels of lands Pres. Clinton identified as serving no public purpose, but groups I support and care about fear it sends the wrong message," Chaffetz wrote on Instagram. "I hear you and HR 621 dies tomorrow."
His post has since been like over 7,000 times and circulated the nation.
Those happy he pulled the bill are pointing to another bill he submitted, H.R. 622, which would see the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management defunded and turn over federal enforcement of laws on federal land to individual states.
He's yet to comment on the future of that particular bill.
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