The ongoing debate over federal protected land has many people on edge, and a change in governmental policies regarding these spaces may have impacts on the ways people get to enjoy the land. At the heart of the debate is the federal Bureau Of Land Management, and BLM land that is controlled by them that sits within the boundaries of states. Those who consider themselves outdoorsman, adventurers and hunters have great concerns about a recent push to release federal land to the control of the states, who may sell the land off for development. Hunters are aligned with conservationists in this regard. Hunting is big business in the rural West and Wyoming, and this industry brings in roughly $25 million into Albany County in Wyoming economy alone. The protected BLM lands and spaces are predominantly situated in the Western United States when it comes to the discussion of them being in danger. Pressure has mounted lately to open these lands up to the fossil fuel industry, and especially oil, gas and coal. The debate over transfer of BLM land to the state's control has become an official part of the Republican platform, and at their party's 2016 convention in Cleveland last summer, Republicans included an addition calling for the transfer of ownership of federal land to states. Many believe this would not be prudent because rural states like Wyoming do not have the budget or capacity to effectively manage the thousands of acres of land that would come under their control. Many believe that states with budget issues would be forced to sell off the land to developers in order to balance their budgets, effectively taking access to these spaces away from hunters and outdoorsman. President elect Trump has not yet clarified his position on the subject, however he may be
The ongoing debate over federal protected land has many people on edge, and a change in governmental policies regarding these spaces may have impacts on
