Aaron Weiss
Maricopa’s Future at Risk as Critics Slam Federal Land Sale Reversal

A revived proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in western states, including Arizona, is facing fierce backlash from conservation groups and local leaders. The plan raises significant concerns about its effects on communities like Maricopa, which is surrounded by federal land.
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has recently proposed a measure as part of a federal tax package that mandates the Bureau of Land Management to auction approximately 3.3 million acres across 11 states. The targeted parcels are located within five miles of urban centers, ostensibly to support new home development and address the current housing crisis.
In Pinal County, many conservationists worry that such land sales could result in permanent loss of natural spaces. This includes key areas around the Palo Verde mountains and the Maricopa Mountains, both vital ecological regions. Maricopa is home to a lesser-known national monument, raising further stakes in the discussion.
While Sen. Lee defends the initiative by claiming the lands hold minimal conservation value, critics argue that it is a misguided attempt to undermine federal protections. Kate Groetzinger from the Center for Western Priorities expressed concern, stating, “This is a shortcut to fencing off the places we hike, camp, hunt, fish, and ride, blocking access and giving billionaires control of the places that belong to all of us.”
Groetzinger criticized the proposal as a guise for what she termed one of the most extensive public land giveaways in history. The initiative would also reverse protections put in place under the Inflation Reduction Act that made oil and gas leases more accessible and affordable, particularly concerning Arizona’s limited oil reserves.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs weighed in, stating, “These lands belong to all Americans. We cannot allow a shortsighted land sell-off to rob future generations of our shared natural heritage.”
Earlier this week, Lee’s initial proposal was removed from the broader tax legislation due to a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian, who indicated it violated procedural rules. In response, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) acknowledged the need for thorough debate and public hearings before pursuing public land sales.
Lee’s office has indicated plans to revise the proposal, which will now specifically target BLM lands near urban areas. However, conservationists remain wary. Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities, cautioned, “This is not a one-time land sale. It’s a slippery slope.”
A new revised version of the proposal has been introduced, now suggesting the sale of up to 1.2 million acres. Despite the reduction, conservation advocates continue to express alarm. Group members from Protect the Grand Canyon have highlighted the lack of measures to ensure that land sales will genuinely address affordable housing needs. They further cautioned that such sales could threaten drinking water for rural communities and restrict access to significant cultural resources for Indigenous populations, concerns that extend beyond Maricopa.
InMaricopa reached out to U.S. Representative Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) for his position on these developments, but his office did not respond. Michael McDaniel contributed reporting to this story.