There’s a lot happening and changing when it comes to public lands policy. Below is a summary of updates as well as some additional resources to explore. See the impacts of House-passed Reconciliation Bill and President Trump’s FY2026 Budget on public lands, conservation, and outdoor recreation:
U.S. House Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by a single vote. This broad budget reconciliation package includes several provisions directly affecting public land management, environmental safeguards, and outdoor recreation. Following widespread public and advocacy group opposition, two controversial elements were removed prior to final House passage. However, numerous provisions remain that could undermine environmental protections and reshape federal conservation priorities.
Provisions Removed from the Final Bill:
1. Public Land Sell-Offs: An early amendment would have authorized the sale of more than 500,000 acres of federal public land in Utah and Nevada, including areas popular for outdoor recreation. Intense opposition from conservation organizations, outdoor recreation stakeholders, local elected officials, and Western lawmakers led to its removal from the final House version (however Utah’s Senator Lee says he intends to include a public lands sell-off provision into the Senate version of the reconciliation bill, TBD as of June 4).
2. Nonprofit Tax Status Threat: Another removed provision would have given the U.S. Treasury Secretary unilateral authority to designate any nonprofit organization as a “terrorist-supporting entity” and revoke its tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status without clear evidentiary standards or due process. This raised serious alarm among nonprofit organizations across sectors, particularly those involved in advocacy or environmental protection.
Remaining Provisions of Concern for Public Land Advocates
1. Expedited Environmental Reviews via Pay-to-Play System: The bill allows project applicants (e.g., mining or energy developers) to pay 125% of the projected cost of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review to dramatically expedite the process. These “fast-track” reviews would be shielded from judicial review, undermining opportunities for public input. Critics warn this will marginalize affected communities and diminish scientific reviews related to decision-making.
2. Fossil Fuel Development Mandates: The bill also mandates significant increases in oil, gas, and coal leasing on public lands and waters, including:
- Reopening leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Expanding leasing near iconic landscapes such as Grand Teton and Zion National Parks.
- Reinstating mineral leases near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
- Reducing royalty rates for fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
Senate Outlook – The bill now proceeds to the U.S. Senate, where it faces additional scrutiny. Environmental groups and outdoor recreation interests continue to advocate for further amendments to preserve public land protections and uphold environmental review standards.
President Trump’s FY2026 Budget Proposal: Public Lands, Conservation, and Recreation
The President’s FY2026 budget proposal outlines major funding reductions and structural shifts for federal land management agencies, emphasizing deregulation and increased energy development while de-emphasizing investments in conservation and outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Major Budget Reductions
- National Park Service: Proposed cut of over $1 billion, including $900 million from operations and maintenance. Suggests transferring management of lesser-visited national parks to states.
- U.S. Forest Service: $1.4 billion reduction affecting wildfire mitigation, forest health, research, and recreational access.
- Bureau of Land Management: $198 million cut to conservation-related programs.
Structural and Policy Realignments
- Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)added: Oversaw the elimination of ~2,500 Park Service employees since January 2025. Instituted significant budgetary contractions and hiring freezes across land agencies. The Forest Service has seen 3,400 terminations, largely among probationary and field staff, including wildland firefighters, with an additional 7,000 layoffs anticipated through retirements and force reductions. The Forest Service workforce is now approximately 30% smaller than in the 1990s, despite growing wildfire threats and public demand. At the Bureau of Land Management the agency has seen at least 800 positions eliminated.
- Suppression of Climate Science: Language related to climate change has been removed from agency documents. Scientific partnerships with universities and nonprofits have been dissolved.
- Outdoor Recreation and Local Economies: Reduced funding and oversight may compromise habitat protection, public access, and recreation infrastructure. Rural and gateway communities may see reduced tourism and economic losses tied to declining park maintenance and visitor services.
The combined effects of the House reconciliation bill and the Trump administration’s FY2026 budget represent a fundamental shift in public land policy, with long-term consequences for conservation, recreation, and scientific research. Land advocates, local communities, and nonprofit organizations will need to remain vigilant and coordinated in defending environmental protections and promoting expanded access to public lands.
Additional resource: Check out Outdoor Alliance, which has updated information and action items you can take right now and every day.
