A proposal to sell millions of acres of public lands nationwide ( including Arizona)  is dead for now after Utah Senator Mike Lee dropped the idea as part of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."

The Lee provision drew massive opposition nationally and locally.

Tusayan’s Town Council joined the chorus of voices in opposition.

On June 24th the council passed a resolution which states in part:

"The Town Council has determined that the mandatory disposal of Bureau of Land Management Land and National Forest System Land for Housing provision may adversely affect the interests of the Town of Tusayan and its residents; and Whereas, the Town Council wishes to formally express its opposition to the mandatory disposal of Bureau of Land Management Land and National Forest System Land for Housing provision added to the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and communicate this position to federal representatives."

“We are in support of preserving federal lands in reserve as part of our nation’s heritage for future generations to enjoy.  We do hereby oppose the mandatory disposal of Bureau of Land Management Land and National Forest System Land provision added to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Town Staff is hereby directed to prepare to lend support and aid to the aforementioned in whatever degree feasible and return to Council with ongoing status reports and action proposal…”

Follow the link for a copy of the entire resolution.

The federal land sell off was proposed by Utah Senator Mike Lee. The provision threatened President Trump’s entire spending package known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

On June 29th Lee issued a statement indicating he is dropping the proposal for now,“Because of the strict constraints of the budget reconciliation process, I was unable to secure clear, enforceable safeguards to guarantee that these lands would be sold only to American families—not to China, not to BlackRock, and not to any foreign interests."

Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail said Lee's decision to scrap the idea is welcome news, "What a relief it is to see that this idea is dead for now. I thank all those who did what they could to oppose this idea and especially the five Republican senators who opposed. We hope there is no more plotting to sell our public lands as the people have voiced their opinion on this idea and said NO!”