It Could Happen Here A New Threat to Public Lands
10 snips
Nov 11, 2025 James and Garrison dive into Utah Senator Mike Lee's controversial bill threatening public land protections. They dissect how the bill proposes to convert wilderness trails into roads and challenge the rationale of border security tied to these changes. The hosts also explore the political implications of Trump's nominees for land management positions and the motivations of donors pushing for land sell-offs. Additionally, they highlight the essential, often overlooked value of public lands beyond just recreation, advocating for broader conservation efforts.
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Kwich'in Conversation About Land Loss
- James recounts staying with Gwich'in people and being asked why settlers lost land connection.
- He links the answer to enclosure of the commons and proto-capitalism displacing indigenous ties to land.
Border Enforcement Could Reopen Wilderness To Roads
- Mike Lee's bill would let DHS convert unpermitted trails into navigable roads inside wilderness areas within 100 miles of borders.
- That amendment effectively allows mechanized access and road construction in protected wilderness zones.
Security Rhetoric Masks Permanent Land Change
- Lee frames the bill as protecting parks from migrant damage and cartel activity to justify road building.
- The hosts argue the rhetoric masks a push for commercial access and permanent landscape change.