Comment on FR Doc # 2026-13281
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Summary: The commenter argues that public lands are a fundamental American right and a cornerstone of the nation's identity. They advocate for the preservation of these lands and the protection of public access against any infringement or exploitation.
“In wilderness is the preservation of the world” -E Abbey.
One of the unique, defining characteristics of the United States is our public lands. The public access to lands managed by the USFS, BLM, USFWS, State, and local agencies is not a common occurrence on a global level. These institutions and the resources protected under them are a cornerstone of the American condition, cemented in decades if not centuries of activism and legalization.
The idea that these lands belong to no man, woman, corporation, etc. but rather the PEOPLE, is a defining concept, like that written in our constitution’s preamble. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."
America is not America, America is not FREE without its public lands. While the average citizen may never travel to far corners of the nation, they could! Not only can they visit these places, but they have the right to wander through them as if in their own backyard. This incredible opportunity is uniquely American.
For access to public lands to be infringed upon, for natural resources to be bastardized, and to not protect these lands in a manner that ensures their preservation for future generations, is a purely anti-American position.